Assignment: Field Observation GEOG 1410 People Places and Landscapes
Assignment: Field Observation GEOG 1410 People Places and Landscapes
Introduction: Fieldwork in social sciences and human geography often involves observation. Observation is active engagement with the surroundings that allows us to: think more critically about the mundane things we ‘see’ everyday and take for granted, to explore aspects of everyday life more intently, and begin asking new questions of inquiry. Ultimately these observations may lead to more research projects and the collection of enumerated data. Directions: Read through the self-guided field trip options, select one, and begin planning. Feel free to do these field trips with other students from class, but everyone must do their own observation and write- up. As you conduct the field trip, keep in mind our comments from class about observation techniques: record your observations with detailed note-taking; observations are not random, but in a structured format of descriptive and narrative comments; make note of new and on-going questions that arise. Afterwards, use your notes to write a brief summary essay document that highlights the key descriptive and narrative comments. Embed a picture of yourself at your field trip destination. Length: 750 words. Check the syllabus for the due date. Self-guided field trip options*:
Option #1 Working poor and public transportation Context: U.S. cities are notorious for being spaces of social inequalities. For instance, the structure of opportunities sometimes place affordable housing at great distances away from low-skilled jobs; thus occurs a mismatch between where jobs are for certain labor classes and where they live. Furthermore, in the U.S. public transportation is often inefficient, unreliable, and mainly used by lower class citizens without access to automobiles. Similar social problems were widely documented in Barbara Ehrehreichs’s book, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. For this option, you are going to experience the challenges of being a working poor individual without access to a car. Directions: Assume you are a single parent with limited job skills, only a high school education. You have held numerous jobs in the past, but for one reason or another, are unable to keep a job for a long time. Recently it has been difficult to find work. But you are aware of an available job at a fast food restaurant in the Food Court at the Southwest Plaza shopping mall [ www.southwestplaza.com ]. From wherever you actually live right now, pretend you are commuting to Southwest Plaza without a car. Figure out how you are going to get there, then actually make the trip. What was your commute like? Was it convenient or difficult? Can you imagine doing this on a daily work basis? You desperately need to keep this job, but how might you deal with other domestic responsibilities (e.g. getting kids to school/day care)? Please feel free to do this field trip with others, and always use street-smarts common sense.
Option #2 Landscapes of immigration on Federal Blvd. Context: Immigration to the United States is a widespread phenomenon, though we are sometimes less aware of it unless we travel to certain areas of our cities. The forces of immigration cause unique signatures within the everyday social and built landscapes. Denver’s Federal Blvd. area is an interesting amalgamation of immigration, and is very near to DU campus.
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*++If for one reason or another you are unable to do any of these listed options, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can give you an alternative option of observation in the surrounding neighborhoods of DU campus.++
created by: Prof. E. Eric Boschmann
Directions: Spend some time driving up and down Federal Blvd, between Alameda Ave on the north end, and Evans at the south end.
- On the southeast corner of Federal and Florida is a strip mall called “Federal Village”. Get out
here and look around for a bit: Observe the types of shops, the clientele, and other surroundings. What kinds of cars are in the parking lot? Who is shopping here? Do the shoppers live in the nearby community? What observations led you to your conclusions?
- Go to the Asian Mall on the southwest corner of Federal and Alameda. Again observe the shops, clientele, and surroundings. Who is shopping here? What kinds of cars are parked here? Do these shoppers seem to live in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding Federal Blvd.?
- To someone who has never been here before, how would you describe the Federal Blvd. ethnic enclave? How is it different / unique than other neighborhoods and commercial corridors in other parts of the city? Does this type of enclave look familiar to places in your own hometown?
- If possible, take some time to grab a meal at one of these markets. Tacos Rapidos 2800 W. Evans is very good Mexican food!
Option #3 Urban redevelopment and land use @ Stapleton
Context: Cities are constantly undergoing change. The evolution of Stapleton is unique: a large piece of prime land near downtown Denver became available after the opening of the new DIA airport in 1995. Stapleton today represents a distinct land use change from an old airport site, to a new residential complex built upon principles of New Urbanism design. But it is unlike most neighborhoods we are familiar with. Directions: Visit the Stapleton neighborhood and observe the human landscape. See as much of the area as possible. What features stand out to you? What seems unusual, or “pretty cool”? Is Stapleton similar to the surrounding neighborhoods outside of Stapleton? Compare the Stapleton community with another neighborhood in which you are familiar (either in the Denver metropolitan area, or from your hometown). Specifically, in what ways are the neighborhoods similar, and how are they different? What is New Urbanism style development, and does Stapleton achieve the principles? What limitations do you see in the design and development of Stapleton? For directions and information about Stapleton, visit: www.Stapletondenver.com . For information on New Urbanism, visit ( www.newurbanism.org or www.cnu.org ).
Option #4 Art and cultural geography Context: Works of art can serve as historical documents that convey information about a particular culture/society and place within which the art was created. Major art museums are great collections of cultural identities through art. Thus visiting an art museum is one way to explore the history of cultural traditions of other regions, from different time periods. Directions: Visit the Denver Art Museum [ www.denverartmuseum.org ] and observe how culture/society is variously represented and expressed through art. You should observe four different collections, each representing a distinct period of time and geographic region. In each collection, describe how society is reflected through the art; what messages are being conveyed through the art? Then compare the differences and similarities between the different collections you visited.
Choose among these collections (special exhibits are okay if it seems appropriate): African Art, American Indian Art; Asian Art; European and American Art; Oceanic Art; Pre-Columbian Art; Spanish Colonial Art; Western American Art. (If you desire, you can choose only one of the following collections to observe: Modern and Contemporary Art; Textile Art; Architecture, Design, and Graphics)
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