Course Description:

This course explores the constantly changing worlds of work, culture and politics in New York City. We will learn about where New Yorkers live and work, how communities develop, how they assert their influence on the city’s life and politics, and examine whether or not the cultural and political institutions of New York adequately serve the city’s diverse population. We take a historical perspective, examining the historic roles and experiences of working class New Yorkers against the contemporary scene. Our look backwards is therefore always coupled with the question, what does this mean for the work, culture and politics of New York City today?

We will learn about New York’s key industries, trends in immigration, economic development, housing and related issues, public policy, public and private space, popular culture, urban social identity, community organizations, and labor’s contributions to building the city’s institutions.  As most of the students in this class are participating in the Union and Community Semester programs, the course is structured as an introduction to New York City. 

Course Requirements:

Participation

The course depends on your participation. Attendance is critical, along with completing the reading, showing up on time, and contributing to discussions (listening actively, asking questions, raising ideas, etc.). Each graduate student will help lead discussion once over the semester by presenting on at least one part of the readings in class (with one page summary of main points and questions submitted to Professor 24 hours in advance of class). 

Zaps

Another part of your grade is based on weekly responses to class reading assignments (see separate assignment), posted on your digital portfolio. These 400-500 word “zaps” are intended to be fast, immediate responses to the readings for the week, and must include an image or visual component. You must post at least 6 reflections during the semester and at least three by Week 8 in order to receive full credit.

Digital Portfolio 

Your digital portfolio is a pedagogical tool that will help you archive your initial thoughts on the course material. In doing so, your digital portfolio will help you see possible changes in your thinking and build deeper connections across course material overtime. CUNY Academic Commons will host our course website and your digital portfolios. You will learn how to format and design and develop the barebones of your digital portfolio during class time. Your digital portfolio must be organized and easy to navigate. It must include your name and CUNY affiliation as the website’s title, a menu bar and side column,  “About Me” and “Resume” pages, and a section to archive your zap posts. Your zap posts should always include a visual component.

Final Paper & Presentation

Working individually, you will choose topics and geographic sites of contemporary New York City related to work, culture and politics themes. Please post your proposed topics by week 5, post finalized updates by week 7, and post about your site or research visits by week 12 of the class. The last part of your grade is based on a final paper. This paper is an extension and elaboration of the topic you will have presented in class. A separate assignment sheet will explain further details. These papers will be showcased in the final class.

Course Schedule:

Note:

Required readings will be provided by Professor in class or via course website on CUNY Academic Commons. 

Additional or modified readings/materials may be assigned.

Unless otherwise indicated, assigned readings provide the framework for class discussions.

Community + Classroom Agreements

The quality of work we do together in the classroom through our discussions, site visits, and collective research depends on our commitment to each other as a community of learners. We will draft our community contract together on Day One of this class, and will compassionately hold each other accountable to its principles throughout the semester and hopefully beyond.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 

Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Cheating, forgery, plagiarism and collusion in dishonest acts undermine the educational mission of the City University of New York and the students’ personal and intellectual growth. Please see: http://www2.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/legal-affairs/policies-procedures/academic-integritypolicy

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

If you need any additional help, please contact Padraig O’Donoghue, Manager of Student Support and Retention at Padraig.O’Donoghue@slu.cuny.edu.

The SLU Learning Hub

Seeking out feedback on a writing project is the mark of an advanced writer, and Learning Hub use is strongly correlated with successful completion of academic programs. At the SLU Learning Hub, professional writing consultants are available to work with students at any stage of the writing process and at any point in the semester. Students can make a Learning Hub appointment by visiting our website: https://slu.cuny.edu/academic-affairs/student-affairs/student-services/the-learning-hub/.

Writing Center resources also available via https://writingcenter.commons.gc.cuny.edu/. 

For specific questions related to your digital portfolios contact Marlene Nava Ramos at mramos@gradcenter.cuny.edu. Her office hours are Thursday and Friday afternoons. 

1) In-person appointments. Come to the Learning Hub to meet with a consultant face-to-face. 

2) Phone appointments. Phone appointments are a good option for lunch (or dinner) hour consultations. If you would like to make a phone appointment, 1) select “meet online” in the first drop-down on our online schedule 2) Enter your phone number 3) At your appointment time, log into your appointment and click on “start or join online consultation.” Doing this will allow you to share your work with your Consultant and share a screen as you work through it together. (If you will not have access to a computer, that’s ok; you can still have a phone appointment.)

3) Online sessions. To schedule an online chat session, select the option “Yes – Schedule Online Appointment.” When it is time for your appointment (or a few minutes before), log onto murphy.mywconline.com, open your appointment, and click on “Start or join online consultation.” 

4) Written Feedback allows students to submit a paper to the Learning Hub and receive written feedback on the paper within two business days of submission. To submit a paper for written feedback, select the Written Feedback calendar from the “choose a schedule” drop-down to the left, then click on the box for the day to attach your paper. Questions? Please contact the Learning Hub at Michael.Rymer@slu.cuny.edu mailto:MurphyWritingCenter@sps.cuny.edu or at (212) 642-2014. 

Disability Policy:

CUNY is dedicated to providing accessible electronic and information technologies. At the Graduate Center, there are a variety of tools available to all students. These include Speech-to-Text Software, Textto-Speech software, Screen Enlargement software, Assistive Technology and Student Disability Services. The software on this list is available on public/student workstations at the GC or is accessible through Office 365. Please see: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/Prospective-Current-Students/CurrentStudents/Disability-Services/Types-of-Accommodations/Accessibility-Assistive-Technology

· If you have a documented disability that may impact your learning and /or participation in this course, please talk with me so that we can develop a plan to effectively support your learning and participation.

· If you have an undocumented disability you’d like me to know about, or are opting to not register your disability with the university you are invited also to set up a conversation so we can plan for ways you might collaborate with me, peers, others on campus, and family members to maximize your learning.(From UNM)

And if you’d like, please see the CUNYwebsite for additional information about Differently-Abled Services and Accomodations. Please see the CUNY website for information on your Title IX protections: Title IX: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities at universities receiving federal funds. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. Your Title IX Director is rodney.pepe-souvenir@cuny.edu 646-664-3314 Michael J. Valente, Michael.Valente@cuny.edu 646-664-3310