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Gentrification Photo Essay

To what extent can art influence social change? What is the impact of gentrification on my city/neighborhood, and how can I use photographic choices to make an argument about that impact?

An overhead view of a gentrified neighborhood.

Creative Artifact

Students construct a photo essay that makes an argument about the effects of gentrification on their city/community.

Written Commentary

Students pair their photo essays with written commentary in which they explain how their argument is supported by research and deeply analyze a select set of photos.

Exhibition

Students engage in a gallery-style viewing. To prepare, each student creates a “station” or booth where they display their photo essay and written commentary, acting as docents for their work.

Implementation Notes

Credit Eligibility:

  • ELA

  • A person with a halo of humanities subjects around their head

    Humanities

Prerequisites Needed:

N/A

Modular Suggestions

A unit within a course tied to Photography, Urban Politics, Contemporary Critiques or a Rhetoric-Based ELA course

TLE-Based Semester/Full-Year Course Suggestions

Contemporary Critiques:
Dystopian Literature,
Fake News,
Gentrification Photo Essay,
Slam Poetry,
Communities & Opportunities

Design Consideration

This TLE is designed to have students document evidence of gentrification occurring in their own or neighboring communities; it will be important that students have access to a neighborhood/city that is experiencing gentrification in order to fully execute the final project.

Standards Addressed

Reading for Information:

  • RI.11-12.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain
  • RI: 11-12.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text

Writing:

  • W.11-12.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Speaking and Listening:

  • SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience and a range of formal and informal tasks.
  • SL.9-10.5: Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
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