No. 3 - going after the imperial

Here's your task for the next writing piece:

As you've noticed by now, no doubt, Brechin's work is teeming! To help sink your teeth into some of its major themes - and more importantly, to work on how to think about SF - write on one (or more!) of the following:

1. Brechin (Brautigan, too) is interested in statues, buildings, urban landmarks. He talks about their symbolisms - stories which endure, sometimes becoming myths - as well as the other histories which have been lost or paved over...

Could a group like ours intervene in the forgetting of history - something which endures to this day? Methinks yes! For this week, then, select a San Francisco statue, building, urban landmark - if you're unfamiliar with the area, do some searching online. Choose a landmark that we have not treated in class, or one that is not discussed extensively in the text (so no Ben Franklin), - and do some Brechin moves. Try and find the official histories, and then, unofficial histories. What stories exist about this landmark? What have we forgotten? Then in a piece of ORIGINAL prose - describe what you think are the important details to understand when approaching the landmark today. Connect to Brechin's analysis of "imperialism" where possible...this will help prep. you for later writing assignments. And it'll make your blogging credits glimmer.

There's tons of material on the Internet. Use the web, your knowledge, and other sources.

On your posts, include links to online sources...another beauty of this group!

2. Brechin includes several advertisements and artworks to accompany his discussion of imperial San Francisco. As is the case today, advertisements tend to reflect dominant or at least popular attitudes at the time. Do a close reading of one of the ads included in Imperial San Francisco, and make specific links to Brechin's discussion (beyond simply saying - "this is a case of imperialism"). What is Brechin's point here? How do the components of the ad illustrate the particular aspect of imperialism Brechin is analyzing in that section? What ideas are being communicated? Who is communicating them? And what are the consequences of spreading such ideas to the masses? This exercise is designed to get us thinking about the ways media can play a key role in shaping popular thought...

I'm excited about this week's responses...onward, and all my hopes for revealing searches!