Rebuilding Ground Zero: Memorial As Meaning and Memory

FRS 001A/ Winter 2004

UCD/ Mark Francis

Freshman Seminar

Rebuilding Ground Zero: Memorial as Meaning and Memory

This seminar will explore ways landscape and architecture can successfully reflect meaning and memory. We will examine the idea of memorials, how they are designed, and how people come to use and experience them. Special attention in the seminar will be paid to the work of architect Maya Lin and her powerful efforts over the years to design memorials for the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Women's Rights, environmental sustainability, etc. Part of the seminar will examine the ongoing debate over what should be built at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan. We will consider the various proposals for the site (of which there are already thousands) and attempt to put them in a larger social and cultural context. Students will be encouraged to pay particular attention to the visual and design aspects of proposals for rebuilding Ground Zero and compare them with other memorials, both built and proposed. No design background is required for the seminar although an interest in art, architecture or criticism will be helpful. The format will be informal and participatory.

FORMAT

This is a 1 unit seminar with reading, independent research and discussion in an informal setting.

GRADING

The final grade will be based on a short (4-6 pages) case study paper (60%) and participation in the seminar (40%).

SCHEDULE
The seminar will meet Wednesdays from 4:10 to 5 PM in TB 100.

READINGS

The following texts will be available for purchase at the UCD Bookstore:

Langewiesche, W. American Ground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center. North Point Press. 2003.

Lin, M. Boundaries New York: Simon and Shuster. 2000.

ASSIGNMENTS & REQUIREMENTS

Students will develop a short case study of a memorial of their choice. Each student will be asked to present their case as part of the seminar and together we will assemble a monograph of the cases.

SEMINAR SCHEDULE

January 12 Introduction & Overview

Landscape as Memory and Meaning

"Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision." Academy Award winning film by Frieda Lee Mock (1995)

January 19 HOLIDAY

January 20 9-11 and its aftermath

French Documentary on Ground Zero

Reading:

January 26 Designing Ground Zero

Reading:

February 2 Memorials

Reading:

February 9 Readings:

February 16 HOLIDAY

February 23 Case Study Presentations

March 1 Case Study Presentations

March 8 Case Study Presentations

March 15 Case Study Presentations

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