architecture paper about Utopia and Futurama

knowlton.osu.edu

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? Submission Format: Digital Submission: Via Carmen Dropbox File type: .doc or .docx Font: 12 point font, double spaced Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style--Notes and Bibliography System Selected list of American Utopias Real Utopias: The Amana Society The Harmonists (Economy) The Separatists of Zoar Fictional Utopias: Looking Backwards (Edward Bellamy) Broad Acre City (Frank Lloyd Wright) Futurama at the New York World’s fair (not the cartoon) The High Frontier (Gerard K. O’Neil)

Calendar:

- 1/12 – Assignment distributed and explained

- 1/19 o Read: Davis “Utopia and The New World, 1500 -1700 o Be prepared to pin-up images and discuss your assigned utopia

- 1/26

o Read Thomas More’s Utopia (Part II) o Read: Hammersley: “James Harrington’s The Commonwealth of Oceana and the Repulican

Tradition” o Be prepared to pin-up images of and discuss your assigned utopia

- 2/2 – American Utopias due.

LArch 2367 Spring 2016: Assignment One Grading Rubric Name:______________________________________________________

Capstone (4) Milestone (3) Milestone (2) Benchmark (1)

Analysis points

A ……………………………………………. A‐ B+……………………………………………..B‐ C+…………………………………………….C‐ D+………………………………………………E

60………………………………………..54 53 ……………………………...……….48 47………...…………………………...…42 41…………………………………………….0

/60

The author provides a clear and 

compelling analysis of the Utopia in 

question. There is a clear thesis for 

the paper and arguments presented 

reinforces that thesis. The analysis is 

well organized, draws on relevant 

sources and makes informed 

connections. The author is able to 

extend his or her analysis to 

encompass and connect ideas 

covered in class and in the readings.  

The author provides a clear analysis 

that may be slightly superficial. The 

paper has a clear thesis, but not all 

points made in support of that thesis 

are strong. The analysis has a clear 

organization. The author draws on 

relevant sources, but does not 

always connect concepts between 

readings and lectures.    

The author's analysis is slightly vague 

or unclear. The paper has a marginal 

thesis, the analysis is rambling, 

disorganized, or often loses track of 

its central point.  The analysis is 

superficial, it fails to investigate the 

debate/problem in light of concepts 

and ideas presented in the readings 

and lecture. Relies on 

generalizations.    

The author fails to execute any 

relevant  analysis. The paper may 

simply be a diatribe, commentary, or 

a string of vague pleasantries. The 

paper is poorly organized, or there 

may be no discernable organization.

Style points

A ……………………………………………. A‐ B+……………………………………………..B‐ C+…………………………………………….C‐ D+………………………………………………E

30…………………………………….….27 26 …………………………………..……….24 23……………………..……………………21 20……..……………………………………….0

/30

The author's use of language  is clean 

and clear. The paper's composition 

facilitates communication of the 

author's major points. The paper is 

cogent and easy to read.

The author's use of language is 

acceptable. There may be points 

where confusing composition or 

diction slightly obstructs 

understanding of the author's 

meaning. The paper is easy to read.

The author's use of language is 

marginal. Confusing composition or 

diction regularly obstructs 

understanding. The paper is 

somewhat difficult to read.

The author's use of language is poor 

to unintelligible. Confusing 

composition or diction often 

obstructs meaning. The paper is 

difficult to very difficult to read. 

Conventions

A ……………………………………………. A‐ B+……………………………………………..B‐ C+…………………………………………….C‐ D+………………………………………………E

10…………………………………………9 8.9………………………...………………….8 7.9………………………………………..7 6.9………………………………………….0

10% /10

The author has clear mastery of 

conventions. Grammar and spelling 

are competent. Citations are used 

correctly and recorded in the correct 

format. The paper follows the 

conventions laid out in the brief. 

The author has made several 

grammatical and or spelling errors 

but these do not seriously detract 

from the quality or legibility of the 

work. Attribution is handled 

appropriately with few errors. The  

paper follows the conventions laid 

out in the brief. 

The author has made repeated 

spelling and/or grammatical errors. 

These errors detract from the quality 

and legibility of the work. The work 

may verge on hard to read due to the 

number of errors. Attribution is 

present but inconsistent, sloppy, or 

formatted incorrectly. 

The paper is riddled with spelling and 

grammatical errors.  Attribution is 

missing or used inappropriately. 

Conventions outline in the brief are 

not followed. 

Total Points /100 Letter Grade:

Definitions: composition = the way in which sentences and paragraphs are constructed. organization = the order in which information is delivered within the body of the paper.

diction = word choice.

30%

60%