American Studies 335
New England
Roger Williams University
CAS 120
M, W, F, 1:00-1:20
Fall Semester, 2011
Michael R. H. Swanson, Ph. D.
Office:  GHH 215
Hours: M, W, F  11:00-12:00
T, 2:30 - 4:00 or by appointment
Phone:  254 3230
E-mail:  amst335@gmail.com
Index
Due: Friday, December 2

Length: c. 5 pp. Typed, Double Spaced, or its equivalent

Sources:
Joseph Wood, The New England Village
Internet sources as appropriate
(Panoramic maps, Topographic Maps, websites of Mystic Seaport, Sturbridge Village,
etc.,  images of new England Buildings, as appropriate from American Memory Landscape
Collection, or the Historic American Buildings Record.

Objective:
To demonstrate you understand the process by which the Colonial New England Village was transformed into the 19th Century New England Village and how that village became an icon or symbol of New England Culture.

Instructions: Choose either Option.   My Preference is that you choose Option One.  Students who have done this in past years have  really enjoyed  doing it and I've really enjoyed seeing what they've produce.  Option two is really there for those who are a little timid about their artistic or drafting skills: don't be.  You've seen my handwriting.  I'm in no position to critique your art..














Or




















I'm happy to preview and comment on your ideas....While I’m happy to accept either of these options.  I’m hoping that a lot of you will choose the first.  I’ve conceived the second for those of you who are a little leery of your drafting and artistic talents. 




1 Plan your three maps approximately a generation apart.  The first should be pre-revolutionary and represent the community near the time of its founding.  The map should give indication of why that particular spot was chosen by the community’s founding members.  The last of the three should show the village as it might have looked in the mid-nineteenth century.  Choose a middle point which allows you to demonstrate some of the factors which made the town grow.

2.Whatever you have a difficulty presenting in drawn form annotate.  Do this either with notes on the map itself, or with notes on paper turned in the same time.   Don't worry about art (I've written this three times--hope it takes). 




The key here is to assemble the developments in the list in the order in which they come into importance.  For example, the last of the items is actually the first to come into play: Settlers chose locations in which they could practice the skills they already had


Option1. Using illustrations like Wood, figures 1.4, 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5, as examples, create a series of three maps which illustrate the development of your own imaginary but typical New England Village. If you're so inclined and feel artistic, draw as well as map it, and then Write a brief history of your town which demonstrates your understanding of the forces which created it and gave it shape.   I will bring large size pieces of paper for those who want to try this option. 

If you choose this option, you can hand it in in hard copy, bringing it to class on the day due.

2. Write an essay which assesses the importance and sequence of the following factors in the creation of a typical New England Place: (You’ll need to sequence them appropriately.  I’ve alphabetized them).

Central Place Development (according to Central Place Theory)
Community Interaction
Industrialism
Land Types
Local/extralocal trade
New England Intellectual Tradition
Topography
Traditional English Agriculture
If you choose this option, turn it in on Bridges
or send it to me by e-mail at mswanson@rwu.edu, using the usual method.