St.

John’s University
Discover New York (DNY) 1000C – 562
Fall 2010

Instructor Dr. Phyllis Conn Section Number 70821

Phone (718) 990-8009 Class Day and Wed 10:30 am – 1:20

Time pm

Office Bent Hall Rm. 340A Room Number MAR 325

Student Wed. 1:45 – 3:15 pm Email connp@stjohns.edu

hours
Thurs. 10:45 am – 12:15 pm

Textbooks:
New York City, A Short History. George J. Lankevich. New York, 2002

Online sources and handouts

Strength in What Remains. Tracy Kidder. New York: Random House, 2009 (Freshman
common reading)

Purpose of Discover New York: Discover New York is a three-credit course that is a part
of the core curriculum. DNY focuses on themes such as immigration, race and ethnicity,
religion, wealth and poverty, and the environment, while encouraging students to explore
the cultural wealth of New York City. It also assists students in the transitional period of
their college years.

Course Requirements

Discussions and class participation (in class and online) 50%

General assignments (including reflections on required events)

Final Exam 20%

Research project 20%

Academic Service Learning Portfolio 10%

(or Events on Campus Portfolio)

Final: The final exam will be a combination of short-answer questions and essays. Exams
will be based on the readings and class discussions.
St. John’s University Discover New York (Conn)

Research project: Each student will conduct a research project selected from a list. The
topic will be based on an event or theme in New York City history. Some parts of the
research project will be completed in class. Instructions will be provided.

Online assignments/Reflections: Instructions will be provided in class and/or online.

Out of 10 possible assignments, students must complete at least 5. Students must meet
the deadline for each assignment they choose to complete or the assignment will not
“count.” No late work will be accepted.

Course Objectives

Objective Learning Method

Demonstrate knowledge of New York City history, Discussions

especially through the theme of immigration Class participation
Final exam
Research project

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of information Discussions

literacy skills Research project

Demonstrate a basic facility with critical thinking Discussions

skills Class participation
Final exam
Research project

Experience a significant cultural and educational Academic Service Learning

aspect of New York City Required events

Learn about and experience the mission of the Class participation

University Academic Service Learning Portfolio
Required events

Demonstrate awareness and behaviors Class participation

appropriate to the transition to higher education General assignments

Attendance policy
Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. In accordance with St. John’s College policy, regular
and prompt attendance is expected of all students. Students are responsible for completing and
submitting all coursework on time. Students who arrive late, leave early, or violate the general
guidelines may be counted as absent for that day at the instructor’s discretion.

General guidelines
• Come on time
• Come prepared (paper, pencils or pens, all assignments completed)
• Focus on this class: no reading, talking, doing other work, checking messages, etc.
• Cell phones, beepers, handhelds, etc. off or silent

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St. John’s University Discover New York (Conn)

• Participate in class – ask and respond to questions; offer your insights; show me that you’ve
read the assignments
• Maintain academic honesty

Academic Service Learning/Events on Campus Portfolio:

Students are required to select one of two options.

Option 1: Academic Service Learning Option 2: Events on Campus Portfolio

Participate in service learning related to a
community-based organization. Approximately
six hours of service will be required. Instructions
will be provided.
Select and attend at least five events on campus
(not athletic events). Events may include
academic lectures, workshops offered by
University offices, or other events pre-approved
by the instructor. Take notes according to the
instructions on the handout: Events on Campus
Portfolio

Write a final reflection according to the Write a final reflection according to the
instructions on the handout: Academic Service instructions on the handout
Learning Portfolio

Submit your Academic Service Learning Portfolio Submit your Events on Campus Portfolio
including all required items including all required items

Overview of Assignments: Tentative Dates

Note: Weekly online assignments and handouts will be announced in class and
online

Date Assignment Topic Meeting

Time/Location

Sept. 1 Introduction; purchase textbook Introduction; historical MAR 325: 11:00 – 1:20
overview pm
Preceded by Orientation
Session

Sept. 8 Online assignment Urban development lecture No class at 10:30

Barry Lewis lecture at 3
pm; MAR 325

Sept. 15 Lankevich Ch. 1 – 3 New York and the world; MAR 325: 10:30 – 1:20
New York to 1800

Sept. 22 Online assignment Ellis Island tour No class at 10:30

Reflection about Barry Lewis due Bus leaves at 3:30 pm
for Ellis Island

Sept. 29 Lankevich Ch. 4 New York 1800 – 1850 MAR 325: 10:30 – 1:20
Ellis Island reflection due

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St. John’s University Discover New York (Conn)

Overview of Assignments: Tentative Dates

Note: Weekly online assignments and handouts will be announced in class and
online

Date Assignment Topic Meeting

Time/Location

Oct. 6 Online assignment Central Park and No class at 10:30

sustainability
Bus leaves at 11:00 am
for Central Park

Oct. 13 Research project work: bring Bossism MAR 325: 10:30 – 1:20
laptops
New Immigration
Lankevich Ch. 5 – 6
Central Park reflection due

Oct. 20 Online assignment Sustainability No class at 10:30

Lecture on
sustainability in NYC:
5:30 – 6:45 in MAR 325

Oct. 27 Lankevich Ch. 7 – 8 Subways and skyscrapers MAR 325: 10:30 – 1:20
Research project: bring laptops New York between the wars

Nov. 3 Online assignment Race and ethnicity No class at 10:30

Research project due Lecture on race and
ethnicity: Bus leaves at
3:30 pm for Brooklyn
Tech

Nov. 10 Lankevich Ch. 9 – 10 Financial crisis MAR 325: 10:30 – 1:20

Online assignment due re: race New York in the 1980s and Wealth and poverty
and ethnicity 1990s videoconference:
Wealth and poverty 5:30 – 6:45 in MAR 325

Nov. 17 Wealth and poverty reflection due Tentative Field trip TBA No class at 10:30

Nov. 24 No Class – Thanksgiving break

Dec. 1 Lankevich Ch. 11 Contemporary New York MAR 325: 10:30 – 1:20
ASL or EOC Portfolio due Research Day TBA Research Day TBA

Dec. 8 No Class – St. John’s religious observance

Dec. 15 Final exam MAR 325: 12:00 – 1:20