Making and Meaning in the American Landscape

Assignment: American Utopiasa

This assignment asks you to engage the variety of utopian thought surrounding the discovery, colonization and settlement of the American Landscape. To that end, each of you will be assigned a single utopian settlement or idea to research. You will then compare and contrast your assigned utopia with the series of seminal utopian ideas that have been introduced in class and in the assigned readings.

Step One: build familiarity

We will begin by reading J.C. Davis' survey of 16th through 18th century utopian thought and its impact on the New World. This reading will establish a basic familiarity with utopian literature during the centuries of discovery and colonialism. As you're reading, reflect on what you know about the United States both in terms of its landscape and its political conventions. Do you see parallels between utopias described by Davis and contemporary or historic ideas about the United States?

Step Two: do some foundational research

Having read Davis' article begin to research your assigned utopia. The internet is a fine place to begin, but you should quickly move to a more significant literature review (scholarly articles, books and theses are all good sources). Several articles and links have been placed on Carmen, and a number of books have been placed on reserve in the Architecture Library. As you're reading about your assigned utopia, think about the ways that your utopia compares or contrasts with the utopias outlined by Davis. Is there anything in Davis that you want to do further research on?

*For recitation on 1/19 be prepared to pin-up and present images and information on your utopia to the class.

Step Three: expand your familiarity

While you're researching your assigned utopia, build deeper familiarity with two of the most prominent early literary Utopian ideas: Thomas More's Utopia and James Harrington's The Commonwealth of Oceana (outlined in Hammersley).

For recitation on 1/26 be prepared to pin-up and discuss expanded information on your assigned utopia.

Step Four: write

Having gathered information on your assigned utopia and built familiarity with major Utopian ideas and literatures, write an 800 - 1000 word essay comparing and contrasting your assigned utopia with the ideas presented in Davis, More and Hammersley. Consider both the built form and the social/political underpinnings of your assigned utopia. What is similar? What is different? You may include as many images as you would like in your essay.

Consider the following outline as a good starting point for your paper:

- Introduction: (one paragraph comprising the introduction and a short summary of your analysis)

o Background information describing your assigned Utopia

o Thesis: short statement articulating your analysis - should outline between three and five ways that your utopia is similar to or different from those outlined in the readings.

- Body: (series of paragraphs detailing the ways in which your assigned utopia is similar to or different than those discussed in the readings).

- Conclusion: Use the conclusion to expand the discussion presented in the introduction and body. What does your utopia mean? Why did it fail? What lessons can we draw from it?