Again, welcome to the Geography of NYC 383/709 at Hunter (CUNY) with me, Dr. Jack Eichenbaum. READ CAREFULLY- THIS EMAIL CONTAINS, "Something old, something new, something updated"

Outside of class, email will be my principal means of communicating with you. "Office hours" are most convenient for me after Tuesday night classes. I can usually be available before class. My actual office is in Rm 370, Municipal Building (opposite City Hall Park) and appointments there are possible. My office # is 212-669-4563 but email should be your first means of communicating.

I will email to update assigned walks, assign readings, post notices about the class, suggest related events of interest.You can copy the list of emails addresses in the "To" portion of the email you receive to communicate with the class as a whole. Do this if you have information to share or need help with something. You can also construct subsets of the email address list to communicate with certain groups- such as those involved in the same field area. I expect that the email list will change over the first couple of weeks as people drop/add/finally get to this class.

Still figuring out who is taking this class so we can organize!

Why should you drop this class?
1. You hate walking.
2. You hate being in unfamiliar areas.
3. You can't ride long distances using public transportation to opposite ends of the city. In this class, this excuse is even beneath "The dog ate my homework" and I never want to hear it! You're in the greatest urban lab in the world and wandering through it is what the course is all about! Millions of NYC college students (including me) learned to study on public transportation. So if you consider a jaunt from Staten Island to Jamaica a super-schlep rather than an opportunity, fuggedaboudit, DROP!
4. You prefer everything you need to know to be in one or two text books.
5. You have something better to do.

Here are tentative assignments for Student-led Field Walks

Saturday Nov 4: Manhattan and Bronx Logistic leaders- Lisa
Morningside Hts- Stacy West Farms-Zoo area- Annamaria
Hamilton Hts- Andres South Bronx-?
Washington Hts- Daniel,
"Manhattan" - Nicole, Dwayne, Gail, Denise

Saturday Nov 18: Brooklyn and Queens Logistic leaders- Julie
Maspeth- Peter
Greenpt/Wmsbg- Glenn, Samuel Elmhurst/Corona- Jennifer
Downtown Bklyn Flushing- Mohanie

This is not complete but a good start and outlines a framework to continue. I added more structure. Here is an outline of what you will do:

Guidelines for Student-led Walks:

Timing: Each pair will have 45-55 minutes for their walk. (Actual time depends on how many segments need to be handled during the day and how long they are.) This allows a maximum distance of about 0.6-0.8 miles (1-1.3 Km) to be covered, with half of the time for explanations and limited questions. (Students should estimate how much time remains and edit accordingly!)

Content: My walk in E. Harlem and the Upper East Side can be a guide but not an ideal example.[I tried to give an idea of the physical geographic controls, transportation infrastructure, other infrastructure (housing types, parks, public institutions) planning, demography. We walked about 3 miles (4.8 Km) in 2 hours in an area that is extremely rich in history and diversity!] You should try to have a shorter agenda but with more depth about the things you speak about. Additionally, you need to schedule a short (5 or so mins) outdoor interview with someone who lives or works there. (Do NOT go indoors with group!)

Style: The way I do it is without notes, but using the landscape as visual clues. I think we are best when we look at our audience or point to landmarks rather than looking at notes. Your partner can back you up with cues if you get stuck! Its OK if you don't get dates or populations exactly right- round numbers are fine. Stay away from statistics. Focus on the agents of change. Use what people can see! Choose the right vantage points and try to speak in places which minimize congestion and noise.

Written content: You should distribute a single sheet (probably using both sides, mostly single spaced) listing the route (a small map might be nice!) and area you showed us, and the highlights of your content in a manner that illustrates the concepts developed in this class. Ideally, these should be distributed in the first class after the walk.

Partnerships: Each segment is assigned to two people. You can divide up the work any way you want. (Completely separate halves if you don't get along, or you can share talking and writing or you can each do one; you can be graded together as a unit or separately.) If a partnership is in trouble, notify leader.

Logistics: Day leaders will assign or give you a choice of places to begin and end your walk. This is so transportation to next segment can be planned. Leaders will also need help in planning lunch stop at certain segments. Find one or more places with bathrooms for emergencies.

Guidelines for Day Leaders:

Logistics: You will be responsible for transportation connections between segments. You should ride the buses and subways used to be familiar with stop locations, best exits, possible viewing opportunities en route. You will plan a choice of several lunch stops that have bathrooms. (At least one suggestion should be "inexpensive ethnic" with table service, reflecting the area. We have only an hour for lunch so service should be efficient. Don't crowd tiny places.)

Content: During waiting time at stops you will discuss the history and geography of the subway lines, roads, bridges, tunnels used en route. (Sometimes this may be interrupted by transit- you can always resume anything important later!)

Written content: You should distribute a single sheet listing the program for the day (names, areas, approximate timing, possible lunch places with addresses.) You might also list any speical things to view while traveling. Special attention to where/when we start and where/when we expect to finish. Ideally, this should be distributed a few days before the trip in class and by email. Your summaries of transportation routes should also appear here but this could come later if necessary.

Get the AIA Guide to NY and the NY@tlas and see appropriate pages.

If you have NOT yet done any of the walking assignment do AT LEAST one of these walks before class on Tuesday 9/12: (The full assignment is to do either 1 or 2 AND 3 or 4)

RELIEF

1. Bronx-Manhattan: Fordham Road from Webster Ave (Metro North) to 1/9 (207 St Manhattan) over University Hts Bridge (P214-215) OR
2. Bronx: Tremont Avenue from Jerome Ave (Burnside/4) to Bronx River (pass 2/5 W Farms) (P215-216)
AND
3. Jamaica: (F/169) 166 St/Highland Blvd/Parsons/Rufus King/160 St/Liberty Ave to E/J Jamaica Center (P338)
OR
4. Brooklyn: (Kingston/Throop A/C) Follow Kingston to E. New York Ave to Nostrand (2,5) (P416-417)
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