Assignment 1: Reading Reflections:

The readings are an essential component of your learning experience. We will test you on the readings by requiring that you participate in classroom discussions; requiring that you write essays about them on a final, and you produce 4 reading reflections.

The reflections should consider one or more of the readings in the designated period. Typically, the reflections will be 2 to 3 pages. They should be in a reasonably sized font (no more than 11 or 12 point), with one-inch margins. They will be graded for style (grammar, etc.) as well as content, so don't try to write one on your bicycle on the way to class.

What is a reflection paper? Do not write a summary of the reading or a set of disconnected thoughts or a question. The folks at media cst (media.cst.edu/uploads/genericfile/writing-reflection-papers.pdf) have provided the following suggestions (edited for length, and some language altered to make it germane to our class):

1. In 1 or 2 sentences, summarize the main idea(s) in the reading in your own words using precise descriptive language. After that, consider some of the following questions:

2. Does the reading challenge your thinking in any way? Does it provide information that changes the way you think about planning and development history? Be specific in your answer.

3. Is there an important question that arises as you read this chapter/article?

4. Is there something that you want to criticize or disagree with? Does anything make you uncomfortable or contradict your ideas about planning and development?

5. How do the ideas connect with other readings, lectures, or experiences you've had? How would you integrate these ideas with what you already know or think about this subject? How could you apply what you learned?

6. Is there anything in your past experience that resonates with or clashes with this reading?

These are suggestions, not the rules for an outline. You need to write your essay, not just answer the questions. You should be asking yourself - how does this reading add to my knowledge of planning and real estate development? How does it challenge my presumptions about the fields? How does it challenge my own beliefs about the city and its development? How does it tie to other things I have been reading in other classes?

One way to show that you have accumulated knowledge during the class is, as the class proceeds, make intelligent connections between the reading from the current week with ones from previous weeks. This course has a series of threads that flow through it, and the later readings do build on earlier ones. Using those thoughts, organize your reflection paper to express those ideas, emotions, concerns, and understandings. You can include multiple readings if that makes sense in the reflection. Deciding to do the Tuesday reading, and not completing the Thursday's readings is not a good strategy for two reasons: first, we will still be talking about the readings in class, and your participation grade will suffer; second, you will have some nights where you don't want to read, and, oops, there goes you're chance at an A.

Text Book :The City After Abandonment Edited by margaret Dewar and June Manning Yhomas.