Syllabus
Silent Beaches: The New York City Waterfront Fall 2019
CRN 71640 HON 1000C 556
Prof. Elizabeth Albert alberte@stjohns.edu
Wednesday 10:40-12:30 SJH 211
Office hours: TF 12:30-1:30; W 9:30-10:30 and by appointment
Office Location SJH B-3A-9
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Course Description
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This course will introduce the student to selected areas the New York City waterfront as it relates to the culture, history, and ecology of New York City. Together we will examine the complex reasons, such as the key roles of available natural resources, trade, industry and immigration behind the dramatic growth of a tiny trading out-post into the most powerful and influential city in the world. We will also explore the creative responses to aspects of New York City's waterfront through the literature and visual art that it has inspired. Students will have the opportunity to do field research at some of the waterfront areas in New York City's five boroughs and environs. Students will also have opportunities to explore their own experiences, develop creative responses to these experiences, and delve into research driven projects; all while developing skills vital for their success in all areas of pursuit.
Reading Requirements
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives , Corner House, Williamstown, Mass. 1972
Albert, Elizabeth. Silent Beaches, Untold Stories: New York City's Forgotten Waterfront, Damiani, Bologna, Italia. 2016.
Various Articles posted on the course e-Portfolio
Course Requirements
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Location Paper (2-3 pages) 10% of final grade
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Personal Narrative (2-3 pages) 10% of final grade
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Mid-term Exam: Environmental Proposal (3-5 pages) 20% of final grade
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Academic Service Learning Word-Image Project (digital) 10% of final grade
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Final Presentation 20% of final grade
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Active class participation (attendance, punctuality, meeting deadlines) 20% of final grade
Course Goals
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Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
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Demonstrate an understanding of selected aspects of New York City History
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Demonstrate an appreciation for how diversity has influenced New York City's development
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Demonstrate an appreciation for how the waterfront has influenced New York City's environmental, cultural, economic, and industrial development
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Demonstrate an active understanding of the concept of service to those in need in the city
Course Objectives
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Gain insight into the complex factors that have created today’s New York City
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Understand the impact of immigration and diversity in NYC
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Deepen tolerance and appreciation for cultural and ideological differences
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Serve the unfortunate and fulfill SJU’s mission through Academic Service Learning
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Experience aspects of NYC’s waterfront in person
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Develop analytical and critical thinking
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Strengthen writing skills and verbal communication
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Manage time efficiently and effectively
Materials
Required Text:
All Course content including assignments is at
https://elizabetalbert.wixsite.com/silentbeachescourse
Metrocards for travel by public transportation will be provided at no charge.
Attendance: Classes, FBLs, Workshops
This course emphasizes in-class slide lectures and discussions, as well as off campus field trips referred to as ‘Field Based Learning’ or FBL. Additionally, we will have one hour workshops on a variety of topics three times per semester. Check your course schedule for those dates and times. Attendance is absolutely mandatory to achieve the highest level of success.
Assignment Requirements
Typed directly onto or copied and pasted onto your e-Portfolio using the 12 point "Times" or similar font.
Revised for clarity and quality of content and checked for spelling or grammatical errors.
Saved AND Published
Submitted via Blackboard
Received on time with the exception of an official medical excuse or special permission. *Extra credit assignments available upon request.
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Grading
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Please note that grading for this course is based on the following equivalents:
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A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96.9
A- = 90-92.9
B+ = 87-89.9
B = 83-86.9
B- = 80-82.9
C+ = 77-79.9
C = 73-76.9
C- = 70-72.9
D+ = 67-69.9
D = 63-66.9
D- = 60-62.9
F = 0-59.9
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Course Schedule
9/4
Introduction – course overview
Blackboard/Wix and e-Portfolios
Field Based Learning (FBLS)
Academic Service Learning (AS-L)
Reading: Pages 1-20
Prepare for discussion about Hart Island (consider cultural death and funerary practices)
Bring Lap-top for next class
9/11
Hart Island
Visual Lecture and discussion
Reading: articles posted on Digication; other materials from SJU Databases
Assignment: Hart Island in the 21st Century (see assignments section) Due 9/18
Set up e-Portfolio
Reading: Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways pp. 110-120
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9/18
Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways
Visual Lecture and discussion
Assignment: AS-L Project due 9/25
Reading: Dead Horse Bay: pp. 100-109
Reading: Sandy Ground pp. 66-73
Article: Systemic Inequality: Displacement, Exclusion, and Segregation
Video: I am Not Your Negro https://stjohns.kanopy.com/video/i-am-not-your-negro
Video: The Oyster Farmers https://stjohns.kanopy.com/video/oyster-farmers
Workshop: e-Portfolios
9/21
Saturday FBL/AS-L Plumb Beach Clean up with NYC H2O
meet 8:30am (location TBA) return to campus by@1:00pm
9/25
Sandy Ground
Visual Lecture and discussion
FBL Highline and Waterline due 10/2
10/2
Highline Waterline Discussion
Visual Lecture and discussion
Reading: The Gowanus Canal pp. 74-87
Assignment: Midterm Take home project assigned - due 10/11
Visit and research chosen coastal area – compile visual evidence for the creation of photo essay on e-Portfolio
10/9
NYC History - Visual Lecture and discussion
The Gowanus Canal
Visual Lecture and Discussion
Assignment: Work on Midterm
10/16
Field Trip to Governor's Island with special tour "Sunk Shore" by Works on Water
Reading: North Brother and Blackwell's Islands: pp. 30-53
Article: History in a Crisis: Lessons for COVID 19
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2004361
Review:The Gowanus Canal pp. 74-87
10/23
North Brother and Blackwell's Island
Visual lecture and discussion
Reading: Coney Island Creek: pp. 88-100
Assignment: The Source due 11/6
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Workshop: Film TBA
10/30 Coney Island Creek
Visual Lecture and discussion
Reading: College Point pp. 20-30
11/6
Visual Lecture and discussion
College Point
Reading: Newtown Creek: pp. 54-65
Assignment: Waterfront Memory
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11/13 Newtown Creek
Visual Lecture and discussion
Workshop: Final presentation assigned
Reading: Nathan Kensinger, "Surveying the ‘Existential Threat’ Posed by New York’s Massive Storm Surge Barrier"
Assignment: Sustainability Questions for speaker Nathan Kensinger
11/20
Overview of course;
Visual lecture and discussion TBA
Review for Final Presentations
Workshop: Film Screening and Q&A with artist/activist Nathan Kensinger
11/27 No Class
12/5 – Final Presentations
Course Assessment
12/12 – Final Presentations