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This assignment asks you to explore how cultural identity is reflected in the landscape by examining how
cultures use space, turn space into place, and form cultural landscapes. You are also being asked to
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Write My Essay For Meconsider how we can ‘read’ the landscape, just like a book, as long as we try to read the signs that are
written into these landscapes. You will use Vancouver or the city or town that you currently live in as real
life examples for your analysis.
Part I
(Re)read the following sections from the text:
Chapter 5: Cultural Geographies (p.164-166, 184-189)
Chapter 6: Interpreting Places and Landscapes (p. 209-217)
Now, explore the city around you (either Vancouver, or the city/town that you currently live in) in order
to document cultural landscapes and coded spaces. In order to do this, follow these instructions:
Bring a digital camera (or your phone), a pen and a notebook or paper
Record field notes which describe what you see. When recording your observations, include
as much descriptive data as possible to assist you later when you write your paper.
Document at least one example of EACH of the following coded spaces:
Sacred space (p.213)
Gendered space (p.188-189) *You may not photograph a bathroom
Ordinary landscape (p.26, 209-211) *You may not photograph a house/suburb
Symbolic landscape (p.26-27, 209) *You may not photograph Science World
Derelict landscape (p.209)
Make sure to take a picture of yourself at each location. This can be a ‘selfie’ or you can have
a friend take your picture. I have to be able to see the landscape, so make sure you do not
take up a majority of the image.
Part II
Review your photos and field notes notes.
Using the evidence you collected on your field observation, and what you have learned in class, analyze
the landscapes you have observed using the concepts of ‘landscapes as text’ and landscape ‘semiotics’.
Some questions to think about:
How do these five landscapes both produce and communicate meaning?
What do these landscapes say about the cultures that have produced them?
How do they reflect particular social relationships between different people?
How might different cultures and identities (eg. based on gender, class, sexuality, etc.) influence the way
people experience and understand these landscapes?
Provide a 3-4 page analysis of these ideas. Make sure to organize your thoughts into a cohesive
argument, rather than simply answering each question one after the other. A strong thesis statement in
the introductory paragraph can assist you in keeping your paper focused on a major claim, and guide the
reader through the whole argument.
Requirements
Your entire response should be typed, have a length of approximately 800-1200 words (3-4
pages, not including the photos), and be double-spaced. You do not need a title page.
You must include the photos of each place, and make sure you that you are clearly visible in the
image.
Please write in full sentences (not bulleted lists). Include a short introduction and conclusion
which includes a thesis statement (claim).
Be specific and explicit in your responses: someone with no prior knowledge of this topic should
be able to read what you’ve written and gain a reasonable understanding of the issues being
discussed. Do not assume I know what you mean when you use a key term. This means you
need to define key terms (eg. culture, semiotics, landscapes) in your reflection.
In general, try to paraphrase rather than using multiple, lengthy, direct quotes. That said, if you do
use material from external sources (eg. the course text), use APA style in order to properly cite
where the information came from.
Rubric:
Criteria Maximum Value
Explanation of relevant concepts 20 points
Analysis of landscapes 20 points
Selection of landscapes as supporting evidence 20 points
Use of course material 20 points
Organization and coherence 10 points
Referencing and format 10 points
Total 100 points
