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Utopian Visions -- Homepage
THIS JUST IN! OBAMA & LINCOLN
For any who might be interested, this is a provoking analysis of Obama's recent speech on race cast in relation to a speech of Abraham Lincoln's that is referenced in our readings by Jim Cullen. A rather current analysis . . . slated for publication on May 1! TAKE A LOOK HERE
INTERESTED IN MARY PICKFORD AND DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS?
Some You Tube clips can lead you into their world. (Part II; Part III)
Presidential Packet #3
(This packet is still under assembly, but there is a lot here already that should be of use to you.)
Presidential Packet #1
You have received hard-copies of three readings for this first Presidential Contenders Packet. Also plan to read President Bush's 2008 "State of the Union Address" and the Democratic "Response" to this address. These speeches are available on the web (two links below). They are also available (below) as downloadable pdf files.
George Bush's 2008 State of the Union Address
The Democratic Response to the 2008 State of the Union Address
The 2004 GOP Party Platform (available as a pdf file--accessible from this page)
The 2004 Democratic Party Platform (accessible from this page)
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2008 State of the Union Address
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Democratic Response
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The Essay Assignment on Ernest Callenbach's Ecotopia is described here.
The Peer Review Assignment (on the Utopia essay) is explained here.
The Essay Assignment on Thomas More's Utopia is described here.
Info on THE FINAL PROJECT
"Utopian Studies" is a legitimate area of inquiry. In fact, there is a "Society for Utopian Studies" in America (it publishes the Utopian Studies Journal) that describes its members as scholars "representing a wide variety of disciplines . . . from such diverse backgrounds as American Studies, Architecture, the Arts, Classics, Cultural Studies, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, History, Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Urban Planning." (The "Utopian Studies Society" in Britain is yet another group . . .) All of this suggests that a course with the title "Utopian Visions" can be developed from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives.
This semester we will investigate utopian thinking as both a practical problem and as an ongoing practice. Our work with historical texts and events should raise questions about challenges that define our world in 2008. This is why the upcoming presidential election informs an essential part of this class. (Today's newspaper reports a candidate saying “If you will work with me, like you’ve never worked before, then we will win. And we will win America. And then we will change the world.” That's a utopian vision!) Our work throughout the semester might not help you to think about music, but it will address realities that will make a difference--and perhaps "all the difference"--to your life as a musician.
Throughout the semester students should refer to the course schedule (distributed in hard copy) for details of the readings and other assignments.
Three assigned texts are available in the Peabody bookstore. You must have these texts in class on days when we will be working from them. Costs are relatively inexpensive (compared to most college courses!) The texts are:
- Thomas More, Utopia. (Paul Turner - Translator/introduction. Penguin Classics)
- Ernest Callenbach, Ecotopia: The Notebooks and Reports of William Weston. (Bantam Books)
- Jim Cullen, The American Dream: A Short History of an Idea that Shaped a Nation. (Oxford University Press)
All are available in paperback. More's text is readily available in other editions--you will find it helpful to use the Penguin edition, so that page numbers coincide as we work with the text in class.
HOW ARE GRADES DETERMINED?
The semester's grading is explained here.
PEABODY WANTS YOU TO KNOW THIS
If you are a student with a disability or believe you might have a disability that requires accommodations, please contact Dr. Eileen Soskin, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University at 410-659-8100, extension 4405 esoskin@peabody.jh.edu, or Ms. Peggy Hayeslip, University Coordinator of Disability Services at 410-516-6224 phayeslip@jhu.edu to discuss reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
