Paper proposals

Summary:

Due Tuesday, February 10 at midnight.

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Paper proposals

Krista Fantin 04 Feb 2009 15:24

Post a short description of your paper topic. Include the questions you will be investigating or tentative thesis you are hoping to defend. Also explain what site in DC you plan to visit or have already visited. By this point you should have at least done some preliminary research on your site online. Tell us a little about what you found out.

Re: Paper proposals

Montel Yancy 10 Feb 2009 20:48

The topic in which I want to discuss is the Capitol building, mainly focusing on the inside. I want to understand the images that are drawn in the rotunda. The thesis in which I want to discuss is Washington worth being immortalized through apotheosis, which is illustrated in the pictures that are in the Capitol building. The website in which I am going to use will be http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/index.cfm. I hope to gain an understanding of if the Capital is worth allowing Washington to be immortalized through the drawings that are depicted in the inside of the building. Was his success or actions worth allowing him to be revered as a secular god?

Re: Paper proposals

Ashley Stewart 10 Feb 2009 22:38

The thesis I have decided to defend is: "Does the DC of 2009 still show some of the ideologies and struggles the forefathers went through to bring this city to pass?"

A site which I have chosen to support the answer to my thesis is the Jefferson Memorial. The reason I have chosen this memorial to analyze is because Jefferson was one of the KEY players in both the placement and upbringing of this glorious city. One of his beliefs in the design of the capital, as told on page 23 of the Luria reading, was that he "rejected the conventional taste for gigantic statues," instead accepting "life-sized" obelisks so that the public may truly appreciate its meaning.

I have done some research on the history behind this monument, and I don't think Jefferson would be well pleased with the 19 foot, 5 ton statue of himself in the center of a temple modeled after a Roman pantheon that caused m uch controversy in both the republic and commoners. One website I have found to be quite useful is http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/wash/dc73.htm. Studying this beautiful memorial will help me gain an understanding of the feelings Jefferson left behind in his fellow countrymen, and their actions taken to honor him, despite the fact that it was against one of his more specific principles.

Re: Paper proposals

Marco Gomez-Camarena 10 Feb 2009 23:52

The place I picked to use as for my paper is the entire National Mall and the important monuments and museums within its borders. My current thesis involves everything within the Mall, and the Mall itself, and comparing how the plans from L'Enfant and onwards draw a lot of inspiration from Europe's greatest architectural accomplishments. I will also talk about the "magnificent intentions" that came along with these plans and how they were meant as symbols for different things. That's all I have now because everything is pretty much in a knot up there (points to head) somewhere. It will all make sense when I'm done. Hopefully (crosses fingers) Ms. Fantin will help me sort some stuff out…

Re: Paper proposals

Elizabeth Green 11 Feb 2009 01:29

The site that I am going to visit is the war memorial because this is the area where americans have fought for the right to have the country and government that we have today. I choose this topic because I am hoping to go back to the background roots of some of the soldiers and tell their story or determination for fighting in the war.

Re: Paper proposals

Michael Liddell 11 Feb 2009 02:04

For my paper, I'm going to visit the washington memorial because I want to further explore the history behind the making of this gigantic structure and why they believed it was so important to build it in the capital. They will also help me make connection to the other text that we are reading and I will be able to use those to further my understand of the dc history topics.

Re: Paper proposals

Stephanie Flores 11 Feb 2009 02:42

For my project I will be visiting the National Archives building. Two focuses of my paper and my visit will the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. My paper will also explore what these texts represent for America and how their “constructions” were similar to the construction of the nation’s capital (compromise, conflict, etc.). I will observe the people who go there and try to find out what looking at these physical documents make them feel. I will use these two documents as symbols of liberty and the sacred texts of the “secular political society.” I will also try to find out what other documents are at the National Archives building and why. I will use the texts that we have read in class to support the thesis that I come up with and maybe I will also need to do research.

Last edited on 11 Feb 2009 02:43 by Stephanie Flores Show more

Re: Paper proposals

Krista Fantin 11 Feb 2009 02:57

You are all geniuses! Look at the amazing intellectual work going on up there (points to head)!

Re: Paper proposals

Kiana Guinn 11 Feb 2009 03:56

The place in which I plan to focus my paper on is the National Cathedral. My paper will analyze the relationship between religion and the institution of a secular country, free from religious persecution. "The Cathedral is a spiritual resource for our nation: a great and beautiful edifice in the city of Washington, an indispensable ministry for people of all faiths and perspectives, and a sacred place for our country in times of celebration, crisis, and sorrow." My paper will describe how the and why the cathedral was instituted to preserve religion in the United States and what that means.

Last edited on 11 Feb 2009 04:10 by Kiana Guinn Show more

Re: Paper proposals

Brenda Balcarcel 11 Feb 2009 03:57

The topic I want to focus on the Frieze of American history in the rotunda located in the Capitol and the message it is suppose to give. I am curious to find out what are the opinions of people and their reactions of the frieze. I also want to question if the Frieze really reflects our American history or if it was another of the "magnificent intentions" of our founding fathers to keep this nation together, by having a work of art display our "triumphs". I plan to visit the Capitol and take notes of the reaction of people when they see the frieze. I will also attempt to ask some questions of the people visiting and see what their opinions are. I plan on using the website http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/rotunda/frieze/index.cfm to learn more about the frieze. So far I have learned that the frieze was painted by three painters, two studied in Rome.

Last edited on 11 Feb 2009 04:15 by Brenda Balcarcel Show more

Re: Paper proposals

Cecilia Paz 11 Feb 2009 04:30

Like my friend Kiana I will also be doing the National Cathedral. My paper will reflect on the nation and the relationship with religion. America was founded on free religion and the National Cathedral will show how religion influences America till this day. Eventhough religion is controversial and should be separated from government, my paper will reflect the importance of the church to our nation. I plan to visit the National Cathedral with Kiana and come to an understanding of why the United States needs a national church and why people from around the US come to visit the Cathedral.

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