Syllabus
Waterworld: The New York City Waterfront Fall 2020
CRN 71544 HON 1000C 561
Prof. Elizabeth Albert alberte@stjohns.edu
Wednesday 10:40-12:30 On line Synchronous
Office hours via Zoom: TF 1:45-3:15 (sign up for a time slot here)
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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.
This course is synchronous: In this format, the course is live-streamed during the exact days and times specified for the course. In addition, lectures/sessions may be recorded for student use.
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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 10% of final grade
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Creative Narrative 10% of final grade
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Social/Environmental Justice Analysis 10% of final grade
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Mid-term Exam: (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, discussion, 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 those in need and fulfill SJU’s mission through Academic Service Learning
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Heighten awareness of the intersection of social and environmental justice
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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/waterworldnyc
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Attendance: Classes, FBLs, Workshops
This course emphasizes in-class slide lectures and discussions, as well as virtual 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.
Intellectual Property Statement: As course professor, I may make recorded sessions available to students to meet ADA, accreditation, or other needs. Under no circumstances should recordings/lectures be sold and/or otherwise transferred for someone else’s use. Students are prohibited from distributing recordings or other materials, a situation analogous to prohibiting students from recording a course with their cell phones.
Health Notification Accommodation Statement. Students are responsible for sharing health issues directly with faculty members, including any potential effects of COVID-19. In addition to contacting Student Health Services, students are responsible for sharing any health issues with the professor, including the need to self-isolate or quarantine.
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*
8/26
Introduction – course overview
Blackboard/Wix and e-Portfolios ; Field Based Learning (FBLS); Academic Service Learning (AS-L)
Assignment:
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
9/2
North Brother and Blackwell's Island
Visual lecture and discussion
Assignment: Discussion board re COVID
Reading: Sandy Ground pp. 66-73
Reading: Article: Systemic Inequality: Displacement, Exclusion, and Segregation
Video: The Oyster Farmers https://stjohns.kanopy.com/video/oyster-farmers
9/9
Sandy Ground
Visual Lecture and discussion
Workshop: e-Portfolios
Assignment: The State of Things Due 9/16
Reading: Hart Island Pages 1-20
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FBL:
Video: I am Not Your Negro (Netflix, You Tube)
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9/16
Hart Island
Visual Lecture and discussion
Reading: articles posted on Wix; other materials from SJU Databases
Assignment: Hart Island in the 21st Century (see assignments section) Due 9/23
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9/23
NYC History - Visual Lecture and discussion
Assignment: Midterm Take home project assigned (see assignments section) - due 10/2
*Visit and research chosen coastal area – compile visual evidence for the creation of photo essay on e-Portfolio
Read:The Gowanus Canal pp. 74-87
9/30
The Gowanus Canal
Visual Lecture and Discussion
Assignment: Work on Midterm
Reading: Dead Horse Bay: pp. 100-109
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10/7
Dead Horse Bay
Visual Lecture and Discussion
Assignment: AS-L Project (see assignments section) due 10/21
https://www.stjohns.edu/about/faith-and-mission/opportunities/academic-service-learning
https://stjohns.givepulse.com/event/196538-Zooniverse
Reading: Coney Island Creek: pp. 88-100
10/14
Coney Island Creek
Visual Lecture and discussion
Assignment:
Reading: Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways pp.
Reading: Newtown Creek pp.
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10/21
Newtown Creek
Visual Lecture and discussion
Reading:
Harriet Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste chapter 3 "Poisoned World, the Racial Gradient of Environmental Neurotoxins"
Assignment: 5 Discussion Questions for 10/28
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FBL:
Documentary: A Hole in the Fence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auq9NGTWrJ4
10/28
Discussion - Harriet Washington reading
Assignment: The Source (see assignments section) due 11/11
Read:
I, Pencil, My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read. The Freeman, 1958
Reading: College Point pp. 20-30
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11/4
College Point
Visual Lecture and discussion
Assignment: Water Memory (see assignments section)
Workshop: Writing session
11/11
Final presentation assigned
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11/18
NYC Recap
Workshop: Overview of course/Course Assessment
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11/25 - Thanksgiving Break - No Class
12/2
Final Presentation Highlights Presented
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*Course schedule subject to change
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