This document provides instructions for an assignment to write an essay conducting an ethnographic study of an urban space in Denver. The essay should have two sections: a descriptive section vividly painting a picture of the chosen space and focusing on details that bring out themes to be interpreted; and an interpretive section drawing on concepts from two sources to make an argument about the meaning of the space. Students must choose an off-campus space and get approval for an on-campus space. The document outlines due dates for a proposal, draft of the descriptive section, and a complete draft before a required conference. Each section should be 1200-1500 words.

1. Essay 3: Writing the City
WRIT 1133
Human Rights /
Humans Write
John Tiedemann
⊗ the assignment
In this essay, you’ll conduct an ethnographic study of an urban space in
Denver. Your essay will have two sections:
• A descriptive section, in which you paint a vivid picture of what you
discovered in the space you chose, focusing upon those details that bring
out the themes you’ll go on to interpret in the next section.
• An interpretive section, in which you’ll draw upon concepts from Lewis
Mumford’s “What Is a City?” and Sharon Zukin’s “What City? Whose City?”
to make an argument about the meaning of the space you’ve described.
Please choose a space off campus. If have an idea for an on-campus
space, then clear it with me in advance and plan on conducting at least a
few interviews.
⊗ audience
Imagine you’ll deliver your essay at a symposium sponsored by the DU Urban
Studies program and attended by both faculty and Denver natives.
⊗ due dates
Thursday, May 12: Submit your proposal on Canvas by the start of class.
Name it “Last name, first name - Essay 3 proposal - WRIT 1133.”
Thursday, May 19: Submit a draft of your descriptive section.
Name it “Last name, First name – Essay 3 – WRIT 1133.” (Give it a
heading: “Descriptive section.”)
Conference week, May 23-27: Before your conference, submit a complete
draft of your essay, both sections. Give the sections headings:
“Descriptive section” and “Interpretive section.”
Thursday, June 9: Final draft due.
Each section should be 1200–1500 words long.