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Sidewalks and dissent
This assignment is part of Learning Objective 3: Describe the role of public policy, urban planning and
real estate development in shaping city life, and Learning Objective 5: Evaluate the built environment
from multiple perspectives.
The purpose of this assignment is to examine the role of sidewalks and public spaces in political dissent.
Sidewalks have a long history as places for political expression, but also have a long history as being
regulated to silence political voices. We are witnessing another wave of conflict over the rights of
political expression on streets and sidewalks. Do protesters have the right to block sidewalks or streets
to express outrage over police brutality, racism, or human rights abuses? Are protests acts of disorder
that will lead to violence?
Assignment instructions
Read the following book chapter:
Loukaitou-Sideris, A., R. Ehrenfeucht, R. Gottlieb (2009) “Sidewalk as space of dissent”. Chapter 6 in
Loukaitou-Sideris, Ehrenfeucht and Gottlieb, Sidewalks: Conflict and Negotiation over Public Space. MIT
Press, 97-121.
Part 1: Write an essay that responds to the following questions:
1. What is the historical basis for using sidewalks for dissent?
2. How do cities control political dissent on streets and sidewalks? What is the basis of their
authority to do so?
3. Why do cities try to control political dissent?
4. Why do protests happen?
5. On Wednesday 12/13/23, a group of protestors seeking a cease fire in Gaza shut down the I-110
freeway in downtown Los Angeles. On Wednesday, 12/27/23, a group of protestors supporting
Palestine gathered near LAX, at one point shutting down Century Blvd. In both cases, dozens of
protestors were arrested.
a. Choose ONE of these events and document in as much detail as possible from media
and other reports. Describe the timeline of events, description of protestors, the
actions of protestors, the response by law enforcement, responses by other members of
the public, claims regarding protestor or other participant behavior, arrests made, etc.
b. Consider these protests in the context of the book chapter. Why were these protests
broken up? Why did the protestors choose to stop traffic, as opposed to demonstrating
on the sidewalk? What do these examples tell us about boundaries for free speech?
Your essay should be about 4 pages (2000 word maximum), not including any figures or tables. Please
use at least 1.5 space and 11 pt or larger font. Be sure to fully reference your essay.
Here are some steps you may wish to follow in doing this assignment:
1. Read and take notes on the assigned book chapter.
2. Review the questions to be covered in your essay, create an outline, and fill in the outline with
points or observations from the reading.
1
3. Write a first draft and check on your responses to each of the questions. Make any revisions
and produce a final draft.
4. Review your draft for writing, composition, spelling and references.
Submission and grading
Assignment 2 is due on 3/6/24 by 11:59 PM. Do not wait until the last minute to submit your
assignment. Give yourself time to recover from any problems you might encounter. Any assignment
submitted after 11:59 will be marked late and incur the late penalties described in the syllabus.
This assignment will be graded on the basis of 100 points per the grading rubric below, and will
constitute 10% of your final grade.
Your report must be written in a professional manner, using correct English grammar and spelling. You
must use proper referencing, identifying the source of all information in the document. Points will be
deducted for poor writing or improper referencing. Please note a zero tolerance policy on plagiarism. If
you have any questions on referencing, please ask!
Grading rubric
Element
Historical basis
Points
10
Means and
authority for
control
15
Reasons for
control
15
Why protests
15
Explaining LA
protests (a)
15
Explaining LA
protests (b)
20
Excellent
Complete discussion of
historical development,
including perceptions of
rights and legitimacy;
incorporating appropriate
examples
Complete enumeration of
available instruments,
detailed discussion of legal
and political authority
Complete discussion of
motivations, multiple
perspectives on control
Comprehensive discussion
of protests in the larger
context of political change,
power structures
Comprehensive and
detailed description of one
of the LA protests, includes
all affected parties, clear
timeline
Effective application of
chapter insights to LA
example, thoughtful
discussion of how LA is
similar or different from
examples in chapter;
2
Good
Generally complete
discussion, all major points
covered
Needs Improvement
Missing one or more
major points
Generally complete
discussion of means;
adequate discussion of
legal and political authority
with fewer details,
examples
Generally complete
discussion, all major points
covered
Generally complete
discussion; less effective
consideration of larger
context
Less comprehensive and
detailed description, not all
affected parties discussed
Missing one or more
major means, superficial
discussion of legal and
political authority
Generally effective
application of chapter
insights, less complete
discussion of LA examples
in chapter context
Ineffective application of
chapter insights,
incomplete discussion of
LA examples
Incomplete discussion
missing one or more
major points
Incomplete discussion,
lack of understanding of
larger context.
Missing details in
description
Organization,
writing,
references
10
incorporation of current
political environment
Well organized with clear
sections, clear writing, no
grammar errors.
Fully referenced following
APA or other accepted
guidelines
Well organized; adequate
writing; few grammar
errors
Fully referenced, but with
minor errors
3
Not well organized, not
well written, difficult to
follow; many grammar
and spelling errors
Incomplete references
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