Week 2 Blog Post
July 13, 2011Consider the following Questions. Answer them in the order and format that we did before by beginning with the question and then following with the answer.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
International Relations History 
1. At first glance, driving from Heathrow to Regent’s, and again walking back from Piccadilly Circus our first night, I thought that London looked very similar to some of the cities back in the U.S.—Chicago, New York, San Francisco, etc. However, once I went further into the city and explored a bit, I thought, “how could I have made that comparison?” To me, London (even the very modern areas) is so contrasting in the use of space and architecture than to U.S. cities. I feel as if the city has more lasting history that you can still glimpse here in there in some places, while in others it’s everywhere you look. Of course London is one of the oldest cities in the world, so I suppose that should be taken into consideration. As far as space is concerned, I feel like the buildings are closer together and there is an aesthetically pleasing effect in regards to the mixing of old and new in the same areas. While it does feel a little cramped and claustrophobic in some places, in others, like the tour route we took for the Jack the Ripper tour, small authentic spaces (ex: the tunneling alleys where we saw the murder scenes) actually add to the historical charm of this lovely city.
2. I was completely taken back by the atmosphere in Bath. I thought, for a city with many major historical events and peoples, there would be a lot more tourists crawling around the city complete with stuffed-to-the-breaking-point-rucksacks, upside down maps, and an inkling to come to a complete standstill in the middle of the sidewalk, but I didn’t see barely any of that. Sure there were the open-top “Pampers commercial” tour buses and tourism did seem to be a major contributor to the livelihood and upkeep of the city, but it wasn’t as obvious (or obnoxious) as it is in London. I think the people that live there in present day must find that fact welcoming and relaxing. Bath seemed almost like a hidden oasis, and I’m sure I’m not the only one in the group that wishes we could have stayed longer. On the flip side, those who called Bath home way back when, it was probably along the same lines: residents were able to enjoy their beautiful city for the most part sans outsiders who couldn’t afford such luxuries as the baths, but there were visitors that allowed for a change of pace now and then. As far as Stonehenge, present day, it felt as if the structure came out of nowhere, almost like those gaudy tourist traps (think the Mystery Spot and the World’s Largest Thimble or whatever) on the side of the highway. It was almost like something you’d pass every time you took to that stretch of road, and, if you blink, you’d miss it completely. This adds to the mystery and magic of Stonehenge in my opinion, but I’m sure when it was originally built, people traveled for miles with the sole objective being sitting and marveling at this quizzical bit of history.
3. First off, may I just say that this city was b-e-a-utiful! Knowing that the buildings were constructed during the time of the French and American Revolutions would make me think the architects wanted to design their works of art in the British fashions since there was so much change going on in other parts of the world. I may be completely wrong or backwards in this regard, but if I was building in Bath at this time, that’s how I would want to construct my building—displaying British pride in a gorgeous city that people come to see from all over the world.
4. I will be focusing solely on trench warfare in WWI. More specifically, what is trench warfare, and why was so much of WWI dominated by this method of fighting? I will look at various elements such as technology, strategy, attitudes of leaders, etc. I would also like to look at how trench warfare affected the duration of the war. For sources I will be using the books assigned for this class, as well as any kind of first-hand accounts I can find from soldier’s, commander’s, and policy maker’s perspectives. I may even (gasp) delve into the poetry we’ve looked at to compliment the soldier’s attitudes towards trench warfare. Since I missed the Imperial War Museum, I’ll definitely go back to experience and springboard off their exhibits as well.
Ps. I am writing this note to specifically state that I did NOT write anything about Harry Potter in this post. Of course if Prof. Magee feels the need to mess with my posts again, he could simply delete this addendum.
Alyssa, this topic sounds solid. Have you found any first hand accounts yet?
1. Space to me is where something takes place. It’s an area that can be occupied and it is finite. Imperialism is the idea of trying to gain more space, since it is finite, and the country that has the most space is most likely going to be the most powerful. History is defined by rulers waging wars over more space. Especially countries like Great Britain where space is very limited, due to it being an island, space is a major concern. A country would want as much space as possible because it gives them more resources and another market to trade with. The desire for more space can be seen in the museums, especially in the British Museum, where there were artifacts from former colonies and territories, glorifying their past occupied spaces.
2. I feel that living in a city with a history as old as these cities are gives the people a sense of pride and connectedness to their home. When you look at how other countries have attacked these countries, you see a lot of historic monuments being destroyed. Destroying something that is historically significant to a community is one of the fastest ways to demoralize it. In the U.S, we don’t have many objects that represent the longevity and history of our culture, but Great Britain has places such as Stonehenge, Roman Baths, castles, churches, etc. And during WWII, the bombing and loss of some historical buildings demoralized the people. People will protect these historical sites because they can trace back their culture with them. It’s a physical reminder how long their country has survived.
3. The architects who designed these buildings were clearly proud of their country. At this time, there has been a lot of instability in other countries. The U.S was still figuring out how to run itself. And other countries were facing citizens rising up against their monarchies. Great Britain was relatively stable at this time. And these buildings are designed in a way that is glorifying its country.
4. Right now, I’m looking at the Irish Revolution at the time of WWI and after. I am also looking at how people like Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins played a part in this revolution
This sounds very interesting. What will be your sources?
1)This is honestly the first time I thought of time and space in the sense of war. After reading the article I feel as if I have taken time for granted. During the war the past and future just blurred together. Days forgotten in a stream of unconscious thought. I cannot imagine considering a day just another line among many. Reading this really helps me understand that time is relative. Time is all about perspective. Too much time has been swept from beneath my feet and too little time has been left to grasp. Counting days during the war seems like a daunting and excruciating experience. It brings to the surface the macabre thought that even if the war takes your life in battle, time will not stop. Even if you are no longer present space will continue to exist, time will further elapse, and knowledge of you will slowly fade away into an abyss. Looking at this question less philosophically and more historically, space brings forth the idea of time. The battles of the war intricately planned out. If not for the invention of the watch and the appreciation of time the stiches that held battle plans together would slowly unravel. Space is what divides time into the three categories of past, present, and future. Without the realization of space and time documentation and appreciation of history could not exist.
2)Poets and writers that lived in Europe have more experiences to draw from. The history is richer. They were able to walk in legends’ footsteps. Sure, we can read the works of Plato and Aristotle but we can never fully understand because we are not immersed in their society. America was a blank canvas. American artists and authors were given the opportunity and task to mold the culture of America, whereas European artists and authors added to the existing culture and thought. European artists and authors used ancient Roman and Greek techniques more than American authors and artists.
3)The Royal crescent in Bath left me awe struck. The architecture is intricate but the layout is simple. It is beautifully understated. I think the architecture shows how people of this time had an appreciation for beauty and wanted to be surrounded and immersed in it even in everyday life. They allowed themselves for time for beauty. Modern architecture in comparison to Georgian almost seems…heartless. Georgian architecture is intricate and whimsical which depicts the attitude of the people at the time.
4)My topic for my paper is going to be the development of espionage throughout the war. When we went to the British Museum I thought all the displays dedicated to espionage were fascinating. I want to research famous spies as well and see what roles they played in both World War I and World War II.
This is a topic you should find plenty of sources for. How many spies do you want to focus on?
…So maybe I took space to philosophically. That is embarrassing. I think London is far more cramped then what I envisioned. I do love how when you exit every tube stop you feel like you are in a different city.
1.
I’m having trouble with this one, but the first thing that comes to mind is how a general lack of space in a crowded continent like Europe makes for such rich history. Around every corner, in every building, in every spot, it seems like there’s been something historical or important that took place. I’ve been doing a lot of comparing between the States and the UK, and Europe in general, and it seems to me that space condenses history. The U.S. has a great history but our country is huge; every thing is spread out and so it seems that our history is spread out, and therefore, I guess, somewhat cheaper?
Not really sure about my answer to this one. I’m going to think about it for a while, and hopefully make a breakthrough or something…
2.
I feel like the past tends to be romanticized in the thoughts of those who reflect on it. A great example of this is the way that most Americans reflect upon the 1950s. Most see it as a time of unparalleled prosperity and good feeling. The reality is, there were many problems going on in America in relation to things like civil rights, women’s rights, and other things. I know for me personally, whenever I hear stories about my great-grandparents meeting and marrying before he went of to war, I idealize the past, wishing that there were some great event during my life that I could tell my great-grandchildren about; an event that would define our generation. I imagine this is the way that many of these poets and soldiers felt as they went off to fight, or write about their experiences. The difference is, while I have just over 200 years of American history to romanticize and reflect on, these people have thousands of years of rich tradition and history to inspire them. Men and women from Bath were probably inspired by the legends of Roman emperors walking the same streets as them. Perhaps they were inspired by centurion soldiers slaying barbarians, or by their Celtic ancestors fighting back a conquering force. This sentiment of carrying on this institution of bravery and valor would have inspired these people.
3.
It’s easy to see when you observe buildings like the Circus and the Royal Crescent in Bath that there was a grasp towards the past. The Georgian or Neo-Classical architecture is inspired by the classical world of Rome and Greece. As democratic movements arose across Europe and in the United States, people would have looked back to the first democracies for inspiration, a model for the way they wanted their future to look. This would have been particularly relevant for a city like Bath with a historical Roman presence.
4.
In my paper, I’d like to explore the way in which association football in particular served as a coping mechanism and escape from World War I. I want to see what sort of role in played in the lives of soldiers and also those living at home during the war years. I want to try to focus on the First World War, but would consider expanding my exploration into the Second World War if I find it appropriate!
Jordan, if you can’t find enough sources for your paper, consider expanding it to the 1954 World Cup.
Consider the following Questions. Answer them in the order and format that we did before by beginning with the question and then following with the answer.
1. Now that you have been too many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
Space influences history a lot. Because there is a lot of space near Stonehenge and it was used wisely. Space and time is something that I took into consideration, due to the fact that we are people of time and destiny. Everything has a beginning a end. Sometimes people and infrastructure are caught in the middle. That’s why sometimes you have eras overlapping each other and culture, and sacred religious practices.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
My first beginning ideas about Stonehenge and bath were basic at first. Since there isn’t really anything known about Stonehenge we can only assume that it was for some sacrificial reasons? However the history that is ever present in Stonehenge helps me modify the way people who might have lived there. The people who might have lived there were not affected as people might have thought because their lives were semi-primitive, in the dealing with Stonehenge, because a lot of scientist believes that it was for sacrificial rituals. And other believed it was for the keeping of type, because the erect stones pivot over the longest day in the world. But the people who were there were not as always conscious of the world. However, the roman baths, were gave me some knowledge that I can really use because, I never knew the Romans invaded Great Britain. And so for them to invade and conquer the part of GB is really interesting to me. They would have had to have some form of champion in them. But their lives were seemingly easy because of the many baths they had. However not to negate the fact but their lives had to be some form of simple compared to modern day life rituals. Pillars, statutes were mason of technique. They were intelligent and the majority of them truly believed in. they were very religious and sacred. The city was located in somerset, bath.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
The crescents were very, common in the city of bath. The houses, the building even the way the city was built. It has a great southern classical southern European feel to it. Even with all of the leaders of Rome there, decorating the city. Well obviously the people who built the city and erected the monuments and p
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
The topic for my primary research is dealing with sexuality during the classical period. Because In my other research adventures, dealing with the roman baths, the men bathed first then the children then the women. And I want to find out why was it like this back then. Why this structure was so upheld, was it because of the power of the men. Or did the men feel intimated by the women so therefore they had to overpower them and making them submissive. So that they will not try with their unknown potential to compete with the men. I want to write about that because that’s what
James, this is a very tricky topic. Since you will need to look at primary sources, you will need to read Greek or Latin. If you are absolutely set on it, I would recommend reading Foucault.
It might be better to abandon the topic and focus on something more recent and international relations focused.
1. To me, space and history go hand in hand. I am double-minoring in history and geography, which has made me realize that they often overlap. History definitely shows that nations always desire to increase their physical space, because more space (and better space) equals more power. A nation that is neighbors with a more powerful nation may either be in danger of being attacked, or could act as a buffer zone, keeping it safer than it would be in times of war. Great Britain’s geographical location may give it some benefit, as it is an island, with water acting as a buffer on all sides of it. When thinking of London, it is important to consider how large the city is. Because of its size, the city has room for a higher population, which both helps and hinders London. It helps in that in times of war, there are plenty of people to supply anything the city would need, but hinders it in that there are more people to have to supply goods for.
2. I think those living in an older area would have a much more realistic view of the world. It is sometimes hard for me to fathom how much history there really is, because in my hometown the oldest building is many 80 years old. I live in a bubble, and if I never wanted to, I would never have to leave my bubble for anything. There is a community college by me, plenty of shopping, etc. I could have the choice to never see any historical area or anything that might give me a more worldly view. Someone living by Stonehenge or in Bath would be living in a very historical, beautiful area. If they’re educated in anyway, they’ll have at least a decent idea of the history of the area, and how it was formed. There would also be a giant stream of tourists coming in and out of the area from all over the world. Because of this, they would be much more likely to have a better concept of how big the world really is, how much history there is, and that the world is definitely very interconnected.
3. It seems to me that every single building in Bath took a ridiculous amount of time, planning, and (wo)man power. Unlike many areas now, which are really just cookie cutter buildings, the buildings in Bath are Georgian in style, but are much more unique. To have the proper knowledge to design buildings like the crescents would take a lot of education, and be at least semi-well travelled to know what Georgian architecture is. Crescent shaped buildings also seem very welcoming to me. People are drawn in to sit within the crescent to relax, observe the architecture, or do whatever they please. THerefore, it seems to me that the crescents were also built with the citizens in mind.
4. My topic, as of now (I am known to change my mind at least 12 times for paper topics) is how music effected WWI and how WWI effect music. I initially thought about this topic when we had the class about poetry and WWI. Poetry and music are very similar art forms, and the poetry class inspired me to write about this topic. I would like to know how music changed forms (lyrically, stylistically, etc.) from the beginning of the war to the end of the war. In theory, it should be similar to the changes which poetry experienced, but with a few different levels.
Erica, this is an interesting topic. Where are you finding sources? Consider expanding yoru time range, since art started to change in the fin de siecle and for a good comparison, the cabarets that emerge in the twenties might help.
1. This is my first time in Europe, and one of the first things I noticed about London is how the space is used different here than in the US. There aren’t massive skyscrapers and the roads aren’t in a perfect grid formation. You can tell the city is very old because it seems like the buildings and houses were built almost at random and the city grew and developed, as opposed to American cities where almost all of the houses look the same because the cities are usually built all at once. Space and time are viewed differently here, and the long history of Europe and London influences the way the city is designed and space is used, as well as the way people, places, and things are viewed in the broad spectrum of European history. Here their history goes back much farther than ours does in the US, so they view everything with much more background and take into account the influence that many different cultures had on creating their own culture. Everything here has a very old history, so we must take into account everything that has influenced history if we want to begin to understand the modern culture of Europe and London.
2. – A person’s life and personality are influenced almost completely by their homeland and environment. The places in which you grow up and the people you meet have a major impact on your life. The history of a country has such a major impact on the people that live there, it would be very hard to be unaffected by the history of your homeland. Stonehenge and Bath are two very old cities with a lot of history to them, compared to the US. Bath was a very interesting city to me, and they seemed to take a lot of pride in their history, displaying the Roman Baths to any tourist who wanted to see. With such old history as the Roman Baths, it probably causes the people of Bath to question more of their roots and how their city came to be the city we know it as today. They have a much deeper history that has been affected by many different peoples and ages. Stonehenge was a very cool place to see, but it had more of a touristy feel to it. The history behind these places, in one way or another, affects every person that lives near them whether they are aware of it or not. Their lives have been changed by the history of their hometown, just as their own lives will affect the lives of future residents.
3. The Royal Crescent in Bath was an amazing thing to see. To me, it seemed that these houses were built in a time of prosperity, and the Royal Crescent was showing off how much wealth the city had. They created a slanted grass park on the opposite side of the crescent so that people playing in the park would be able to see it at all times. Seeing it reminds me of very classical architecture, the kind that is only seen in Europe. The people who built these crescents seem to have been celebrating their wealth and order during a time in which much chaos and disorder was taking place.
4. The primary question I am trying to answer for my research paper is how countries dealt with the psychological impact of the war on its soldiers. What was known about mental illness after WWI and how it affected the treatment and diagnoses of soldiers around the world that were put through very traumatic experiences. This was the first time countries had to deal with this problem on such a large scale. Also how trench warfare played a part in the minds of soldiers.
Nick, this is a doable topic. I recommend checking out “Your death would be Mine” in the readings.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
From the reading and from the time I have spent here, I have decided that space is always changing. Also, what is included in the space is always going to be different based on the places where you are or what is taking place in those spaces. In the reading, it broke down time and it was different from them because they were in the state of war. Time doesn’t mean the same to us because most of us are unaware of what it is like to be on the front lines during a battle. What amazes me is that we see all of these sights while we are here in London and we are astonished by all of them either because of what they look like or how old they are or whatever it may be, but to the people that were around when they were built or before we were even around, these buildings and sights meant something completely different to them. Therefore, time and space is applied differently to everyone and we all interpret it differently.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have affected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
I found Bath to be an amazing experience. The baths themselves were so full of history that is was extremely interesting to see how things worked back then and to imagine how excited the people must have been to have that available to them. Also, I feel that the monuments like Stonehenge and the Roman Baths probably gave the people here the same feeling that let’s say the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell give to Americans, a sense of history and culture in their country. The Roman Baths especially because for them that was a huge advancement to their culture. I almost feel like the people back then were more appreciative of the things they had then we are today.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw.
In researching the architecture of the city of Bath, I have come to the conclusion that the people who were involved in building the city made it so unique to attract people to come to the city. They picked a specific type of stone in which to construct the city based on the color and texture of it. Most of these buildings started out as lodging houses which would be another reason why I believe that they were trying to lure people to the city. This also makes sense because of the French and US revolutions, Bath was somewhere that they might have traveled to and so the designers wanted people to be in awe of the city.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences the topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
In my paper, I am looking at what triggered the start of World War I and World War II. In our lecture on Thursday, he talked about how Wilson’s whole point of his ideas were to stop a World War from ever happening, so I was going to research on how his ideas may have failed and led to Hitler’s rise in power and the start of World War II.
Kalen, are you focusing on the interwar diplomacy then? I think that would be an excellent topic.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
-In the simplest aspect, space is where history happens. Space also influences how history happens. We have learned a lot about conflict in Europe, which has always been home to a large variety of people, close to one another geographically. Different languages, cultures, governments and beliefs bumping into one another, conflict seems to be inevitable. This problem only became more severe as the world grew significantly more connected with transportation and communication at an alarming rate. When I think of space and place, I automatically think about Geography. Landscape and topography, natural and manufactured resources, people and culture, transportation and location, all of these things affect society and their interactions directly. So history is affected by space through all of these characteristics.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
-I was actually thinking about this topic prior to this question, it is a very interesting concept. I have been trying to figure out how people felt about the things we travel so far to see, when they saw them every day, or even saw them being made. Also I wonder what people will think of the history we are making today. We are very used to and comfortable with technology, and I feel that in a way, many of us are desensitized to things that should be awe inspiring. Between special effects in media and things that are already a reality, it takes a lot more to get that shock value. This is where I feel people from a different time period would have been more directly affected by the history we study today, because they were discovering new territory. To live in such a historically rich environment has to have some effect on someone’s outlook on life. I for one am amazed at the things we are studying and seeing here because I struggle to wrap my mind around how they created such elaborate structures without the technology we use today. The things they made were so detailed and beautiful. My attitude when walking by something like Westminster Abbey is completely different than when I am say walking down Grand River past Taco Bell. Environment is everything and the people who have lived here experienced a very different environment than what we are familiar with.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
-The city of Bath was beautiful. It is built into the hillside and seems to flow nicely with the natural landscape, which tells me that they probably appreciated their environment. You mention that these were built during the time of revolutions and the crescents make me think that they must have thought highly of being connected to one another. The city itself seemed to be laid out in a way that uses space like many other cities but the living areas in the crescents to the north are different. Those crescents create a small community centered on a common courtyard area, everyone can see everyone else from their doorstep and I can’t imagine privacy was a huge concern for the creators of those buildings. They are shaped in the exact way so that you can easily see everyone in your community.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
-I am going to research how English women’s social roles have changed into what they are today. I am going to look at significant events that may have had an impact and examine changes over different time periods. I have studied this topic for American women and even more specifically, Michigan women so I am interested in how the two compare.
Danielle, this sounds great. However, you’ll need to specify a time period.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site. When I think about space my immediate thought goes to geographical location. In this way space influences history in large part. For instance, during WW1 countries with important sea ports had the advantage due to their geographical space. This influences how the war panned out, thus influencing the history of that particular space. Space can also encompass what meaning you have given it. If you give a certain spot a specific meaning, like say a church that would change the history of that space, making it more influential and important than a space where you would put something like a convenience store. Space in terms of geography has influenced nearly all of our history; which space will be declared for what, who owns that space, how to protect that space, and how to make that space efficient.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking? In terms of people and poets, the amount of history you have surrounding you and your country influences your way of thinking directly. I think a poet who lived in Bath, or any city/country with a long history, would have a mindset revolving on tradition and maintaining the place in the world they have earned. When we read the poetry in class that was written from the point of view of British soldiers, and for this argument with an emphasis on the Rupert Brooks piece called “The Soldier,” you notice that intense pride in England even to the point of losing your individuality in your country. The American colonists had pride in their new idea, yes, but it would be a very different mood in the poetry. This would be more focused on establishing this feeling of pride rather than maintaining it, and establishing a place in the world. It could be seen as independence versus dependence in a way, whereas a newly established country would take pride in their independence and an older country with a richer history would take pride in their dependence on each other, their rule, and their traditions.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s) Based on the size of the building alone, it makes me think that the people that built them may have seen city planning and building as “bigger is better.” I would think that if they were experiencing revolutions all over the world they would have wanted to reinforce their pride in their country by making their infrastructure extravagant. We saw the crescents, which were big semi-circle living arrangements around a square or courtyard. This could have possibly been an attempt to reinforce community as well. Standing on one porch provided you a view of all your neighbors. In a time of war being involved in your community was an extremely important base of maintaining national pride and good spirits.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course. My research paper will be centered on the criminal justice systems in England and in the United States, and the similarities and differences. The primary objective of my paper will be to identify which part of the criminal trial or sentencing has remained in tradition from the United States gained independence from Great Britain.
Courtney, you have a precise proposal. Dr. Magee informed me that there are many sources available for it, so I wish you happy researching!
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
I think that space and history influence each other. I never been to a big city like New York City or LA but London has a mixture of modern and historic. When I first got to London I thought that it was very modern from building’s architecture to transportation. You can see the more historic side of London like the roads, and early 1800s style of the buildings. I think that space and history influence each other.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
I think that their way of thinking would not change dramactically because although Bath has modern ways, it feels older in style. Life in bath seems more enjoyable and in a bubble away from the rest of the world.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
The architecture shows me that the people who built the buildings in bath are very proud of their work because most buildings I have seen were the same style. It very beautiful, warm and gives me a sense of peace that I can enjoy unlike more modern buildings that are cold, skyscapers, and is made of glass.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences the topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
After the Jack the ripper tour, I want to focus on the lives’ of women in prostitution. Why they chose the profession? Etc
Monique, you have a great topic. You’ll need to narrow down the time period and the topic. Read Judy Walkowitz’s books, they will be very helpful.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
When building a city, people have to work with the landscape and space provided; that being said, older buildings in London were established in places that either made the most sense given the purpose of the building, or in places that allowed everyone to see the grandeur of the building. From there, modern buildings could fill in the gaps, which created a city that blended the old and new all in one region. The maximizing of space in big cities seems to give off a cramped sort of feel, with buildings all on top of each other and balanced precariously in the space available. Of course this influences history. More people in a smaller amount of space leads to blending of cultures, blending of ideas, and easy communication of those cultures and ideas, which results in a bustling metropolis that then expands to take up more space.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have affected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
Living in a much older country would entirely change someone’s concept of time. What we Americans consider to be “antique” is often considered “modern” in a much older city like London; we are simply astounded by the age of the buildings and artifacts here, since everything in America is so young comparatively. Along this same thread, people’s concepts of tradition and progress would be entirely different depending on their concept of time. I feel as though people from older countries would be more inclined to hang on to long-standing traditions, since they have been established for such a length of time, whereas people from younger countries would be more prone to progressive thinking since they are the product of a nation whose birth was forward-thinking to begin with.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
I think the structure of Georgian architecture and the crescents in Bath are a response to the revolutionary thoughts of the rest of the world at that time. England was not undergoing revolution, of course, and wanted to demonstrate its stability and strength in a time when other nations were falling to pieces. The structures in Bath represent a combination of traditional patterns and symmetry mixed with more grandeur and elaboration; the people who designed them may have wanted to relay both the image of continued national pride and a feeling of strength and dominance.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
My research in this course concerns the psychological impact of WWI. More specifically, I wish to explore how the devastation of WWI changed the methods psychologists used to treat their patients. Prior to that time, war was not considered to be so traumatic; even if the effects surfaced, war was not interpreted to be the cause of the “neurosis.” But WWI, being such a bloody and demoralizing war, forced psychologists to acknowledge the emotional distress caused by warfare. Specifically, I would like to analyze how Freudian theories (good and bad) were incorporated into the treatment of WWI soldiers, namely his concepts of latent/manifest dream content, sexuality, and defense mechanisms.
Krista, we talked about your topic. I think you’re good to go.
1. How does space influence history?
Space is a very hard concept to define. Space means something different to every person, depending on perspective. That has been the problem with space throughout history. Two different countries with two different perspectives could have claims to certain “spaces”. That is where the conflict begins. This has obviously led to the re-defining the histories of those countries.
Being in London you can see how the way they use space in Britain influenced the way in which the colonial cities also used their space. The streets in London are not in a grid-like pattern at all, much like the city of Boston where the streets are very narrow and not grid-like. I always knew that Britain had influence on the colonies, being the “mother country” but I never realized the impact until I got here.
2. You live in a relatively new country, the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
Living in such a historical city gives the city so much more layers. It gives those who live there so much more of a background. The American concept of “historical” is categorized as from the revolutionary time or “native” meaning before the colonists arrived. This whole concept of historical in Bath and Stonehenge, as in much of Europe, is completely different. So much more has occurred on the soil here that influences the way people think they have a different paradigm of thought.
3. What can you learn from thinking about the way the cities of the period were like and the way they were built about the people who built them?
Cities built like Bath had building that were built with symmetry in mind. The thought behind the buildings shows that Britain was trying to show their dominance as the Imperial Power of the day. The buildings have a strong characteristic showing that they would withstand the test of time. This type of architecture was also brought across the Atlantic and can be seen in the early British colonial cities.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences the topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
The focus of my primary research is on Russian relations to Western Europe. More specifically how the effects from the policies of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles impacted the Bolshevik Revolution in post-Tsarist Russia.
Tiffany, happy researching.
Consider the following Questions. Answer them in the order and format that we did before by
beginning with the question and then following with the answer.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration
what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what
“space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through
the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
the first thing I remember learning about for this concern was the streets in Paris and
Napoleon’s concerns against a revolutionary army, though that is a fairly specific question
and might not have as much of an effect in the wider sweep of history.
Secondly I think about America, and how the geographic isolation allowed it to stay out of
both World Wars for a considerable period of time before being drawn in.`Not only that, but
I look at America, and how vast the country is, compared to the relatively smaller European
countries. Whereas Nationalist pride could be reared strongly by geography and geographic
culture, in the United States that manifests itself in individual state identities. This
obviously manifests itself in the Southern Revolt, as well as Texas’ constant need to feel
different, this also has a very homogenizing effect on our national politicians, and a
polarizing effect on more regionally elected politicians. The (possibly unattainable) need
to appeal to such a diverse scope of people spread over such a huge area has effects on
America not seen anywhere else in the world.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected
those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you
are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
I think it would be unfair to call America a relatively new country. In fact, the British
Empire is the only country currently in power older than America, and even they’ve had a
chaning understanding of what the government is since 1791. Nor would it be fair to call the
Americas a young continent, as this has been inhabited for longer than we can be aware of.
However, looking at countries like France, Germany or other reformed European countries, as
well as Great Britain, they all have a rich history to draw upon, especially for wisdom.
America is incapable of going back any further than about 250 years for wisdom, and in many
cases, will accept nothing newer or older. The unique history and positioning of the country
has stemmed a sort of hero worship for the “Founding Fathers” whereas other countries can
draw upon a wealth of diverse thought over time and lead to more stability.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the
first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France
and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the
people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two
crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s).
British Pride is a strong theme of Georgian Architecture, which difficult to trace as Britain both represents the monarchy that was being rebelled against, and the democracy that people were rebelling towards. To me what the time period says, and is reflected in the architecture is that Britain is losing it’s grip and it’s dominance. The Sun won’t set on the British Empire for many years still, but it is clear at this point that the old system is failing and that they are trying to reembrace the future while assimilating it into their past.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary
question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
-Relgion and Culture are my unashamed and obvious interests, I want to look directly at
culture, and where applicable religion’s impact, positive and negative, and how the changing
culture (As effected by World War I) has changed the effectiveness and approach of religion
and effected the rising, or at this point even realized, secular movement in Europe. How does the rejection and embracing of warfare effect people’s views on Religion after World War I, and which stance takes more precedent in the public eye? I ask these questions because on a personal level I want to change religious culture away from hatred and mass culture away from cynicism, so understanding it’s modern roots is important.
Mark, your research question still needs some thought. I think your premise is correct, religion in WW1 was still a large factor in everday life. How are you going to find sources for this topic?
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
Space is something that is present in our daily lives, even if we do not always realize it. In the cities there is not enough of it and in the country there is a plentiful supply. In a different context, the perception of space and time is different depending on a person’s place within history. Centuries ago size made a statement, and perhaps it still does, however when cathedrals were built centuries could pass by before their completion. Today, people see new buildings of all sizes started and completed in the same year. As well, the time spent focused on the details of the cathedrals is different compared to the general desire for elegance, yet simplicity of modern architecture. In the building of cities space was a factor in the place of its origin. Ancient cities developed near large sources of water that could support a large number of people in a small space. As well, in another aspect of space, travel from one city to another could take days or even weeks. People would often remain within a few square miles of where they were born their entire life. This is quite different from today in which it is common practice to leave the place you were born. Whether an individual lived in a rural area or a city, the space they lived in often defined who a person was, as well as, the experiences of that individual. Space defines your home for instance. Cities have limited space so houses are in short supply and people live in close coordinates to one another. As well, life in a city moves much faster than in rural areas, varying the perception of time amongst individuals. The people, the exposure to ideas, and introduction to new technologies, customs, etc. provided a lifestyle of opportunity and variety that, at least in the past may be lacking in comparison to rural areas. However, there are people who live in rural towns who life the ease and slow pace of the country. People often go to the country to get away or “stop to smell the roses” insinuating that rural areas provide a place where life is simpler or even slowed down, as if time passes by at a slower rate. On this trip there has been evidence of this personally. Staying in a city for a time and then going to the country, or at least a smaller place results in a significant realization in the change in atmosphere. London has a massive amount of people, cars, buses, etc. Noise is always present. Furthermore, the size of the city is quite large and it can take an hour or more to get your destination. In Bath, the first impression was quiet and calm. There were less people and cars, which led to a significant decrease in noise. People generally did not seem in a hurry and the atmosphere seemed at ease, as if to tell people to relax. Furthermore, space was used differently between the two places. In Bath, while the buildings were still close together, there were no tall (skyscraper like) buildings and very few modern buildings. It was as if the modern world was built into the historical buildings, leaving the Georgian architecture throughout the town. London on the other hand is a city filled with history. Almost everywhere one looks there is evidence of its long existence. However, through growth and development there is a large presence of modern world in which characteristics are similar to modern American cities. From this, one can observe that the use and perception of space varies depending on where and when a person lives, and the two are not always simultaneous. People can live in the same time or in the same country and still perceive a concept such as space differently, as well, this concept is not concrete, but can change over time.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
First, I could not imagine living in a country with a history dating back thousands of years. In many ways for those having been born and raised in the United States, the perception of time skewed. A couple centuries may seem like a long time, but in history that is simply ephemeral. The soldiers and poets of World War I lived in country whose civilization dates centuries upon centuries. Their buildings, culture, government, etc. were created long before the war began. In many ways, one could argue that these people had a deeper sense of history simply by the presence of it in their everyday lives. Furthermore, the war was fought in their towns and cities and the destruction of those cities must have had devastating effects on everything they had worked for and built until this point in their history.
In Bath, there were structures dating back to the Roman Empire, something I am sure residents take great pride in. Their history is connected to a great empire that existed centuries before, but can still be influential on their lives today. Stonehenge dates even farther back in history, in a time when few civilizations existed. The people who live and have lived there for centuries were obviously perplexed enough to leave the rock arrangement as it stood. Today it is a major tourist attraction, but was it centuries ago. Was it left as a reminder of their history and what mankind once was? Whatever the reason, the existence of Stonehenge attracts people every day to see a piece of history unique to that of the English countryside. Places like this with long complex histories offer both inspiration and pride for those who live in these places. As well, the history of the place has been incorporated into their daily lives influencing them in ways that are different from those living elsewhere.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
During the revolutions of France and the U.S. people began to see themselves as one nation, rather than a group of people ruled by a single entity, as they wanted a say in their government. (7-6-11 notes) The perception of themselves and even the people who lived around them changed. If the perception of one aspect of the world changes there is a good chance that changes are made in other aspects. Entering a new time in history offers an opportunity for new art, architecture, customs, etc. In the case of Bath, it became known for its spas, becoming a major vacation spot for many people. Changing to a new and updated architectural appearance perhaps was seen as beneficial for the town to attract and accommodate visitors. Furthermore, the nature of the landscape restricted the construction. The steep hills are beautiful, but make it difficult when designing around them. The fact that Bath was built into the landscape allows visitors and residents to see the surrounding landscape for what it is. This is perhaps different from other towns in which space is created through the modification of land for building. The crescents for example, offer a view of Bath, not just the city but the land and hills around it. In places in which space is limited by the landscape, city planners, like those in Bath, sometimes use the landscape to their advantage producing a view of a beautiful city and landscape simultaneously.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
Throughout history groups of people that have been oppressed have found ways to make their opinions known to the dominant culture. In the case for women their roles as wives, daughters, sisters, etc. may have allowed them to be influential in major political decisions. During the Congress of Vienna, women were very much present among the diplomats from the major world powers at the time and many of them had relationships with one another. This occurrence brought about a question regarding the role(s) women have had in international relations and how these roles have evolved to the present day in which women are allowed to hold primary leadership positions in the government and international relations.
Kristine, this topic is very interesting.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
Space is looked at much differently in Europe than what we are used to in America. In my own opinion, Americans look at the quantity more than the quality of space. Here in London, there is a variety of ways the roads and buildings are set up. The pre-war architecture is much more closely spaces together, whereas the post-war architecture is more spread out due to the need for tanks and heavy artillery to get across town. The towns seem to not be planned, but to build on the history that is already there. Where I live in Grand Rapids, everything has to be planned out. The city wanted a more modern courthouse, so they tore down the most beautiful and historic building in Grand Rapids to build a completely new building. This erases the charm and history the city may have had before that. Most cities in the United States are square blocks with everything in its place. No winding alleys and not much preserved history.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have affected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
The environment they were raised in influences everyone. People who live in cities so rich with history seem eager and excited to share said history. The Roman Baths are a magnificent creation and are something the locals should be proud of. They show their pride in ways like poetry. Creative outlets are sometimes an easier way to express what someone in America today would just see on the TV.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn from thinking about the way the cities of the period were like and the way they were built about the people who built them?
Bath was created to be a destination city. The architecture was made in a way to lure people in. Many people were already intrigued by the city because of the Roman Baths, but creating an environment outside of the Baths that were welcoming to tourists was the architect’s main goal.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
My paper topic has to do with serial killers in London or the United Kingdom. I have still yet to decide if I am doing a specific era, person, or type of killer.
Hillary, excellent topic. You can even research the Burke murders or highway men. At this point start thinking about whom you want to include and have that ready for your working draft.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
The evolution of the conceptualization of space has influenced history by changing the way that people look at time. Like Magee mentioned in class today, the invention of the clock and the development of set times had an impact on the modern world that we live in today. The development of the clock changed the way that people look at time and assisted with the progression of industrialization; people began to work based on set times and the development of the clock gave people a schedule to live their life by. An idea of “public time” took place of “private time” (Kern). Furthermore, time and technology helped to advance the perception of space. People began to think beyond their borders, and looked towards the future and back in the past versus solely focusing on the present.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
The lives of the people whom lived in Bath and the area around Stonehenge was obviously different from the lives that we live today. The city of Bath is very old compared to modern cities such as Chicago in the states. The people whom lived in the area of Bath or Stonehenge relatively thought differently on the aspects of life then we do today because they lived in a different time period. Life has progressed comparing today back to then. Some of the poets and writers whom works we have been reading seemingly have a different outlook and perspective on things. Walking around Bath and at Stonehenge there was such a peaceful “aura” to everything. I feel as though life in Bath today, while it is modernized, there is still a relaxed feeling about the style of life compared to how we are used to living in the states. Personally, I feel as though my lifestyle is a bit chaotic because I’m always on the go trying to balance so many things at once. If I were to live in Bath back in the mid 1800s my lifestyle would be completely different, perhaps, quaint and simple.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn from thinking about the way the cities of the period were like and the way they were built about the people who built them?
The Bath Royal Crescent was built in the Gregorian area and was used as a housing facility. Mainly wealthy people lived there and it was fairly private. Thinking about the makeup of the Bath Royal Crescent illustrates perhaps the need to separate the classes and to give the elite their own area to live away from people of lower classes. I think that one could possibly relate the construction of parts of Bath, in particular the Royal Crescent to the atmosphere of the area. Aside from the Royal Crescent, I think that Bath was made to be an “oasis”.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
The topic of my primary research is the relation of religion to war, looking at World War 1 and World War 2 specifically. I plan to compare and contrast the role that religion played in World War 1 versus World War 2. The main aspects that I will be comparing and contrasting are: the effect of war on missionary activity, the relationship between church and state, personal religion in the trenches and Jews in World War one versus World War two. The primary question that I am trying to answer in my paper for this course is to show how the role of religion differed from World War one versus World War two but to make it apparent that religion played a huge role in war.
Alayna, do you have sources for this yet? Otherwise you have a precise research question.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site
When you relate space to history, it is an element in which you use to create places. In every different monument and area we have seen, space is taken into consideration. The space between people is the first element. The places we have seen are mainly tiny and cramped. I feel like London is different from where we are from in this way. You brush against shoulders and you walk by the street here where as at home, you could walk to class without bumping into a person. The second element is the buildings. They are crammed together because there was not enough room to put everything, and so many needs for the amount of people inhabiting one place. Many of the streets in London are narrow (esp. The older side streets) because there was simple not enough room in the city to house everyone. Space creates history. It impacts the buildings we marvel at as well as describes the culture people lived in.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
Stonehenge and Bath definitely affected the culture of the people who live and have lived in those areas. Having monuments so incredibly old so close, gives a person a different perspective on their importance. Standing next to Stonehenge or walking through the Baths made me feel small. It puts the twenty years of my life seem incredibly insignificant in the grand picture of things. Maybe this influences people to become more laid back and realize life is a gift and they should enjoy it, or maybe it drives people to pursue nearly impossible goals to attempt to earn a place in history. Either way, they monuments give humanity the sense that our time will end as quickly as it came, and we should learn from little bits and pieces from the past. Poets and other artists are probably inspired by these artifacts.
2. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn from thinking about the way the cities of the period were like and the way they were built about the people who built them?
There is a lot to learn from the architecture of buildings. It can describe the way people thought, their ideas and their priorities. The buildings are religious. Many of them are engraved with crosses, angels or other religious things, perhaps providing evidence that religion was prominent during their time, and the center of their lives. It also shows us their beliefs. The roman baths display this well. They obviously believed that with hot springs and relaxation they could cure any aliment. The buildings were also built with care and strength. They were not thrown together overnight. The structures were well planned and thought out. The fact that some of them still remain today proves this point. This shows that the roman’s and British were structured people who planned and had purpose to their objectives.
3. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
I am researching the evacuation of Brittan during the German air raids of WWII, focusing on the children’s perspective. I would give information on the topic, trying to answer a few questions. The questions would be, were the evacuations necessary, what was the cause and effect of the air raids, and what effect did it have on its victims, especially children. My other option is poets of world war one, where i would analyze and discuss poets of the time.
Maria, both topics are great.
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
I thought that our discussion about the effect of travel on conceptions of space and how it was portrayed in art was an interesting example of the way that people’s interpretation of space and time changed rather rapidly. I also found it interesting that phones and other new forms of communication transformed the way contemporaries saw the size of the planet—from an overwhelming, slow-moving system to instant communication and access to one another. Growing up with cars and telephones has desensitized me to how awe-inspiring those inventions must have appeared for people living at the time of their creation. The establishment of standardized time that Kern discusses also brings up the intriguing point of how much it affected ideas of privacy and how it altered conceptions of timeliness, which people had not paid much attention to until that point.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
Were I a poet I think that living in a very old country would definitely affect the way that I viewed originality in my work. Being in a place with so many centuries of history and previous occupants would make me consider more how my forefathers saw their surroundings and what they thought was important or special about the area. The mystery of why and where Stonehenge was built is particularly curious, and living in the area would put that in the front of my mind and certainly make me think more about the ways people used to live and operate and make decisions.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn about the people who built the buildings of Bath by looking at how they built them? Think of the two crescents we saw (in some of the Facebook Photo’s)
By looking at the construction of Bath you can definitely get a feel for the builders’ wish for grandiosity and order. The architecture is on a massive scale and emphasizes symmetry, which I think is a throw to their desire for a structured system, possibly where government was concerned. I think that the history already present in the city with the Roman baths and the history of Rome itself, as a powerful republic, could definitely have affected how the architects designed the city, especially at such a volatile time.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences he topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
The primary question I am trying to answer for my research paper is what role did women play and what conservation efforts did they make during WWI and WWII.
Emily, are you looking into women’s war time associations?
1. Now that you have been to many different places and spaces and taking into consideration what you have learned, how does space influence history? You might want to think about what “space” is and includes before you start this question. You may also want to read through the Stephen Kern reading on the site.
London is a very different city in comparison to Detroit. In London, buildings were started in the middle at a common area and then as more buildings were built, the more the area expanded. There is no organization to the city either, it is a jumble of roads compared to Detroit’s grid system which is organized and easy to navigate. As time went on, the city continued to grow as more churches, governmental buildings and other landmarks were added to London. Thus, space influences history in the way things are done. Since London is an older city in comparison to Detroit, planning did not go into the design of the city. Buildings were built without much thought besides their purpose and put in where they could fit. Detroit had an architect design the layout of it’s grid system and specific spots for its skyscrapers and buildings of interest. Due to the fact that the cities were created in different time periods also influences how they were built because of the people building them were from different times in history. Space was utilized before our time in a different way in which the people built to show the pride of their city and not just for putting up the most skyscrapers or new buildings but for beauty for all to see.
2. Think about how the history you have seen at Stonehenge and Bath might have effected those who lived here. You live in a relatively new country the people and poets that you are reading lived in a very old one. How might that change their way of thinking?
The poets and people before our time lived in an age of limited resources. By resources I mean they lacked technology and tools that are vastly available to people today such as computers, Internet, reliable transportation and means for creating buildings or sculptures. The old ways of the poets and people were not necessarily bad things but the advancements that we have created over time to improve technology and things for everyday life have made the present easier. Other small advancements like stoves, refrigeration and even something as small as a coffee pot improve the way people make meals in comparison to the time of the poets when refrigerators did not exist and meals were made over a fire pit. Besides advancements of life, going back to the Roman Baths in Bath, people traveled to the baths in order to cleanse themselves not only for sanitary purposes but also because they believed it was a way to cure their minds and health ailments. They believed the baths had healing powers to cure all of their ailments. Today, if baths existed, I would consider going to relax, comparable to a day at the spa instead of a way to cure my health or mental ailments. Thus, the poets and us live in two different societies and times in history leading us to have different influences on the way we live. For their time, the poets and people used the advancements to the best of their abilities while we use ours to the best of our capabilities. At the time, the people thought the roman baths were cleansing and healing while today, the baths are considered unsanitary. Time has changed the way people think due to advancements in research and different thought processes. The way of life was completely different between our society and theirs, which is shown through the example of the roman baths by which the poets and people used for cleansing of ailments and the body while we would go to a modern day spa for relaxation not healing. At the time, the baths were the most advanced of technology to their minds.
3. The Architecture in Bath is Georgian. That means it is the period that we studied for the first part of our course. The buildings were built at the time of the Revolutions in France and the US and up until just before the 1848 revolutions. What can you learn from thinking about the way the cities of the period were like and the way they were built about the people who built them?
After touring the city of Bath and London, I feel cities are built by establishing buildings of importance and then housing. For example, some of the oldest buildings in London and Bath are churches and for government purposes. Cities must be able to govern their cities in order to control the inhabitants and churches are built because religion was extremely important to those who governed the inhabitants (king or queen). I also noticed that the cities are not built in a grid system like Detroit, they are built in a twisted way and have no structure except just a never-ending and expanding circle of buildings, streets and housing with no pattern just a need for the buildings purpose. Thus, I can learn that buildings and the people were built for a specific purpose important to the people and not for the sole purpose of expanding the city. The roman baths were built because the hot water or the waters found were thought the have healing powers and in order to take advantage of these healing powers, the people built a way to use the waters for cleansing or bathing. While if a spring was found like that in America, it is preserved in a park for the world to see, not created into a public bathhouse. Another thing I noticed is that buildings and monuments were built in the honor of a war or to commemorate a person or specific event compared to buildings built in America are built for a different use of the rapidly expanding society we live in. From this I can learn that we live in two different societies and think entirely different about the way our cities were built and rub off onto people. American cities are built for working people while the cities of that time were built for pride and beauty to reflect their pride of their land.
4. Tell us again in a few sentences the topic of your primary research – or the primary question you are trying to answer in your paper for this course.
For my research, I am reading about the British Secret Service. Specifically, I am looking at the uses of the SS in World War I, important people that were active in the Service and how it helped the British during the war. Some other things I am pondering are the beginnings and the developments during the war, advantages and disadvantages, important key players, etc.
Elizabeth, sounds good.