Once you settle on a site, you are to analyze
(1) how it accomplishes ANY of the above items (eg. represents, inspires etc.) and (2) what
kind of identity/(ies) it encourages.
(1) how it accomplishes ANY of the above items (eg. represents, inspires etc.) and (2) what
kind of identity/(ies) it encourages.
Possible points of analysis: The following criteria from class readings are ideas for potential points
of analysis, but this list is not exhaustive.
1. How does the place wield authority –meaning, how does it communicate the idea it has the right to
represent a particular memory? How does it claim to offer unique access to the past?
2. How does the place cultivate the being or nature of the audience? How does it speak to its audience so that they will participate in the idea or memory?they will participate in the idea or memory?
3. Does the place invite participation in some ritual or ask folks to negotiate/interact with others? If so, how?
Does this create a sense of belonging? If so, to what or to whom?
4. Does the history of the creation of this place speak to any particular politics of the present?
5. How does this place value or legitimate particular views or voices? How does it ignore or diminish other
views or voices?
6. How does the place act directly on the body (consider our five senses here) in ways that affect thought
and/or behavior?
7. What techne (Greek word translated as “craft,” “art”) does the place use? (for example: words, pictures,
colors, architecture, sound, scent, light, directed movement, sculpture, objects, scale, graphics, and so
on).
of analysis, but this list is not exhaustive.
1. How does the place wield authority –meaning, how does it communicate the idea it has the right to
represent a particular memory? How does it claim to offer unique access to the past?
2. How does the place cultivate the being or nature of the audience? How does it speak to its audience so that they will participate in the idea or memory?they will participate in the idea or memory?
3. Does the place invite participation in some ritual or ask folks to negotiate/interact with others? If so, how?
Does this create a sense of belonging? If so, to what or to whom?
4. Does the history of the creation of this place speak to any particular politics of the present?
5. How does this place value or legitimate particular views or voices? How does it ignore or diminish other
views or voices?
6. How does the place act directly on the body (consider our five senses here) in ways that affect thought
and/or behavior?
7. What techne (Greek word translated as “craft,” “art”) does the place use? (for example: words, pictures,
colors, architecture, sound, scent, light, directed movement, sculpture, objects, scale, graphics, and so
on).
Requirements: Papers should be 5-6 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced, and use standard margins. Both
Papers should contain at least FOUR
references/quotes/concepts from class materials. You must define or explain the materials you use. Better
papers will provide more analysis than description.
Ideas for memory places: Watts Towers; Little Tokyo; Union Station; Griffith Observatory;
Hollywood Walk of Fame; Los Angeles Murals; Rodeo Drive; The Getty Museums; Olvera Street; the
“great wall of LA” SPARC; Sorority Houses; Central Market Downtown; The Last Bookstore;
Cemeteries. There may be other locations to consider but you will need to brainstorm and check
before you go.
Hollywood Walk of Fame; Los Angeles Murals; Rodeo Drive; The Getty Museums; Olvera Street; the
“great wall of LA” SPARC; Sorority Houses; Central Market Downtown; The Last Bookstore;
Cemeteries. There may be other locations to consider but you will need to brainstorm and check
before you go.
I will provide sources from which to cite.