In the discussion board for Module 2, you drew on the ideas of Jane Jacobs to analyze how the social and built
environment shapes the general rules of everyday interaction in a local public space. Subsequently, we read two
articles that examined how different dimensions of inequality – gender, race, and class – affect who uses public
spaces and how. Bringing these inequalities into focus suggests that there is not one single set of rules
governing the use of any given public space, but rather multiple, overlapping factors that shape how different
groups access, act, and interact in these spaces.
For this assignment, you will write an analytic memo exploring how social inequalities affect public space.
This is the topic of your memo:
2) Option Two is to view the documentary, Sidewalk (Links to an external site.), about street vendors in New
York City in the early 2000s. You will use the film to analyze how social inequalities shape vendors’ lives as
well as local debates over the legitimate uses of city sidewalks.
You will complete this memo in two stages - a preliminary assignment (worth 20 points) and then the final
version of the memo (worth 40 points). This will allow me to give you feedback on the way to producing a
complete and well-structured analytic memo.
Sample Solution