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The Week's Work

American Studies 334
Urban America
Roger Williams University
T, TH 12:30 -1:50
GHH 105
Fall, 2009
Michael R. H. Swanson, Ph. D
Office: GWH 215
Hours: T, 11:00-12:30
M, W, F,  1:00-2:00
Phone:   (401) 254-3230
E-mail:  amst334urban@gmail.com
For Tuesday November 24
a.Post Industrial Urbs: 75 - 112
b.Garden Urbs: 113 - 142
c.Eclectic Urbs: 143 - 174
d.Blank Canvas Urbs: 175 - 208

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Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the most universal American holiday, which in one form or other stretches back to the days of the Pilgrims and Puritans. It will be important to note that the National idea was first proposed by Abraham Lincoln, and that he proposed it on the New England model. The date of the National holiday didn't stabilize to the last Thursday in November until the middle of the twentieth century. Today we celebrate with football, parades, and the great American pig-out. It is probably a good idea to think a little about its original intent.

Samuel Lane's prayer of 1793 is worth quoting in full:
As I was Musing on my Bed being awake as Usual before Daylight; recollecting the Many Mercies and good things I enjoy for which I ought to be thankful this Day; some of which I have Noted after rising as follows viz:

















  • For my Cattle, Sheep, and Swine & other Creatures, for my support.

  • For my Corn, Wheat, Rye Grass and Hay; Wool, Flax, Syder, Apples. Pumpkins, Potatoes, Cabages, tirnips, Carrots, Beets, peaches and other fruits.

  • For my Clock and Watch to measure my passing time by Day and by Night.

  • Wood, Water, Butter, Cheese, Milk, Pork, Beefe, & fish, &c.

  • For Tea, Sugar, Rum, Wine, Gin, Molasses, peper, Spice and Money for to bye other Necessaries and to pay my Debts & Taxes &c.

  • For my Lether, Lamp oyl & Candles, Husbandry Utensils, & other tools of very sort &c &c &c.

Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me Bless his holy Name.
Bless the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits,
who Satisfieth thy mouth with good things, &c.

Norman Rockwell's "Freedom from Want"  (1943)  Click to see the other illustrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms"






For Thursday November 26

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Matthew Feighery finds himself to be a Post-Industrial Urbanite.  His Urb, in Soho (South of Houston St., NYC) is pictured above.  We're all invited to his housewarming when he rents his loft. 

Matthew adds:  I like the fast-paced city life. I've grown up in a small town in Connecticut, where you have to walk everywhere to do anything. I would like to live somewhere where there is always things going on, people around, and not have to constantly drive places. I like to walk places and think this would be possible in Soho.


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Kelly Cochrane finds herself to be a Garden Urbanite.  Her Urb, in Boston's Back Bay, is pictured above.  We'll have to dress appropriately for this snazzy address.