C457 Exploratory Paper Three Fall Semester 2019

Write 3 pages on ONE of the topics below

1. Write about changes in the architectural complex of New York City in relation to the culture of the city. You can pick a building, a bridge, infrastructure, or a complex of buildings for analysis and discussion. The target period of cultural impact is 1920-40, encompassing Art Deco and other styles, but the date of construction could be earlier (i.e. Brooklyn Bridge etc.)

2. Take a writer from our New York anthology and find out more about this person. Read more of the writer. How does New York culture of the early twentieth century impact on the work of this person and, perhaps, vice versa.

3. How does popular music reflect changes in the culture of New York City in the early twentieth

century (before 1950)? How does this affect the rest of the country? Consider the rise of Tin Pan Alley, Broadway theater culture, jazz clubs such as the Cotton Club, and radio. Be sure to focus on a specific topic, however.

4. Gershwin and his career, located between classical art music and popular music. In particular, what is signified by the Rhapsody in Blue?

5. Stieglitz, O’Keefe, Gallery 291 and American Art

*6. African American Experience in New York City 1920-40 and African American Poetry. Find out more about Langston Hughes, one of the greatest poets of the period, or some other figure of the period, and go with it. Remember to focus, however, and avoid merely general information.

7. Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age. What is the similar? What is different?

8. The Cotton Club and American Culture. What was going on there and why is it significant?

9. The immigrant experience in New York City and the contribution to American Culture. Pick specific examples that pertain to the arts. How does it relate to our discussion of “cultural spillover.”?

10. As ever, find your own topic but clear it with me before you write it.

Due date: The official due date is December 6, 2019. However, anytime from now will be good, especially if you want to write about New York. If this is the case, you should write it right away. If not, it can be provided later in the semester but note that this exploratory paper is required of all students. Minimum of at least three citations, one print-born (Jstor, Project Muse etc.) web- born. 2-3 double-spaced pages. Assigned classroom reading does not count for the new citations. Type your essay. Spelling, grammar, clarity and style count. Cite your sources clearly. Wikipedia can be used for quick reference at your own risk, but it cannot be cited as a source. Go beyond into research materials. Please upload your paper to the Assignments section in Canvas. All papers will be sent through Turnitin.com. Therefore, be sure to write in your own words. MLA or Chicago format for citations. Be consistent, whichever you choose. Citations and works cited pages should be in MLA style (for online information about citations, see http://libraries.iub.edu/help-citing-sources).