Sir_Excellence

Daniel Burnham: Art & Architecture

Heather Smith

Short Paper

Xueming Peng

10/1/2015

Since the beginning of the class, we have taken three not only fun but also knowledgeable trips. The Chicago Architecture Foundation Walking Tour, the architecture boat tour and the Chicago temple and plazas tour were all extremely interesting and remarkable. However, there are three things that I found attractive the most which are Chicago Cultural Center, the well-cleaned street and the grand park.

First of all, why I found Chicago Cultural Center interested is because it is full of history. Before taking the trip to Chicago Cultural Center, I have heard a story which is saving the building from neighbor. She says that she was one of preservationists who saved Chicago Cultural Center(Chicago Public Library) . Even though I had had no idea about this building when she told me this victory, I could see how proud she was. I had passed by Chicago Cultural Center several times before I heard this story, but I thought it was just a museum. After my neighbor told me this, I was stimulated to discover some histories or stories behind buildings. According to Smith(1995,pp.41), other familiar landmarks that remained are the Marshall Field Store, the Chicago Public Library(now the Chicago Cultural Center),and the Art Institute. On the tour at Chicago Cultural Center, I was fascinated by the gleaming Carrara marble and Tiffany glass. I was just standing under the Healy and Millet stained glass dome and imaging about the stories that might have happened here. I felt like those stories were “tangible” and just right in front of me. As we stopped by a theater, a show was coming out, people from far or near were ready for the show. There are a large amount of comprehensive art and performing are shown here every year. When I was told that the shows are all free, I was shocked.

Secondly, I was shocked by the cleanliness of streets when I first came to Chicago. I had never found out why it is extremely clean and where this idea comes from. Burnham and Bennett(1909, pp.108-109) state, in respect to street cleanliness and adequate air space, Chicago may well take a lesson from Berlin, where the streets are kept clean by daily washings, and where a property owner may build on only two-thirds of his land, leaving the remainder for a court. In other words, it was inspired by Berlin where has a good idea about street planing. In my opinion, keeping the streets clean in Chicago which is such a crowded and busy city would be very difficult. it needs a fully complete plan.

Finally, Grand Park including the Art Institute is what I like the most. it is a incredible park which surrounded by Lake Michigan and a large amount of building. It contains Millennium Park, the Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, and the Museum Campus. However, not only do I want to talk about Grand park, but also demonstrate Chicago park system itself. Burnham and Bennett(1909, p.43)discuss that Chicago, on becoming a city, chose for its motto Urbs in horto — a city set in a garden. Such indeed it then was , with the opalescent waters of the Lake at its front, and on its three sides the boundless prairie carpeted with waving grass bedecked with brilliant wild flowers. It was proven after years later that it was brilliant system. As the growing of population, park space should also expand as well.

To sum up, after reading the book Plan of Chicago and going to the sites, I noticed that there are a lot of depth and beauty of constructions that are waiting to be discovered in this city.

Response Paper

I went to the Study Abroad Fair at Student Center in Lincoln Park campus. I am interested in what other countries or cultures I could study in and what types of programs I could join in. To be honest, going to manchester united’s game gets me fired up. It has happened in my dream for countless times. On the other hand, I am curious about the education system in different countries. Figuring out how different the education systems are from country to country is an interesting thing. Further more, as a finance major student, going to multiple countries and seeing the different point of views are very important for me in my future career.

I want to go studying in England in my sophomore year. Not only am I crazy about England soccer league, but also I am willing to expand my horizon by seeing the world and facing the different culture.

These are the certain social identities I want to learn more about. First of all, Coming from an eastern country, I definitely want to learn more about as being an international student. Secondly, as we all know that DePaul is the biggest catholic university in United states. My father is a catholic, I used to go to church with my father every Sunday morning, but I have never considered myself as a catholic, buddhist or anything. I might have not figured it out, or I am probably giving myself chances to accept everything. So, attending catholic events and learning more about catholicism at DePaul is one of my goals.

To be frank, because my english isn't fluent enough, I am kind of lack of confidence speaking in the public. It also causes me that not being open-minded. So, the skills and abilities that I hope to improve are my english and becoming a more open-minded person.

I am sort of interested in business meeting or some types of events that I would be able to meet real businessmen who I could learn from. I have noticed that DePaul Business Department is located in loop campus which is in downtown Chicago. Chicago is a major world financial center, with the second largest central business district in the United States. So I am willing to participate the business event which outside of school.

My goal is studying in England, Study Abroad Fair offers us opportunities to study in England. It is a very significant program which offers chances to study in other countries. I have met some students who were interested in studying in China and been questioned about China by them. I was very pleased to answer those questions.