Assignments

Assignment 1: Preliminary assessment of preservation issues (Sept 14)

Develop an outline, including a matrix or chart, assessing what you believe are the issues, resources, and initiatives, based on:

1. discussion during week one;
2. any references you choose to use (these must be cited); and your work to date.
3. Preview the National Preservation Conference 2001 offerings (in the flyer, too) and the 2001 Massachusetts Historic Preservation Conference, sessions (also provided as a flyer).

Such conferences will place priorities in a national, state and local context and help define what you think are the critical issues.

Assignment 2: States (Sept 21 - throughout semester)

http://www.epreservation.net/resources/states/states.html

For week two and three (and for the entire Studio) you will each be assigned several states.

Assess resources, work, and special initiatives of both:

1. the State Historic Preservation Office and
2. the "Statewide not-for-profit"

Visit ePreservation's list of Programs & Initiatives.

Visit ePreservation's list of State Profiles.

Relate to what is available for HDCs.

Proceed as such:

1. For the SHPOs,
   1. review the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 USC 470), as amended (and the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation)
   2. Assess the role of the State Historic Preservation Offices as defined by the NHPA section 101
   3. Assess the SHPO initiatives (mandated, and others) by carefully assessing their Web sites listed at NCSHPO.
   4. Assess the specific legislative initiatives developed by the states employing State Historic Preservation Legislation Database, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and checking the SHPO web site for information that may not be on the NCSL database.
   5. For an overview on each state's future, reference State and Territorial [Preservation] Plan Profiles under the NPS Historic Preservation Planning Program. As most of the plans are from circa 1995, you can assess how much of the "implementation" has been... implemented. Print out all your plans to mark up. Distinguish "mandated/compliance" from "special/elective" programs, indicated below.
   6. and list (with brief description) the SHPO work that is conducted:
      1. as mandated/compliance work to meet the intent of the Act and
      2. as "special/elective" programs that go beyond compliance.
   7. Once we review the mandated scope of work we will spend time on these special initiatives.
2. For the statewide not-for-profit organizations (the "Statewides"), obtain the name of each under each state under State Profiles or under Organization Profiles click on "Find Statewide Non-profits.".
3. Read assigned chapters (1-4) in Constance Beaumont's Better States, 1996.
4. Review Organizations to better understand the role of the not-for-profit statewides.
5. Develop a "matrix" or chart of your states and:
   1. the SHPO mandated activities and special activities;
   2. Statewide programs (with home page URL); including reference to specific Web sites for each, when possible.
6. Provide a disk copy of your report; hard copy organized by state with printouts from the Web sites. This will be compiled in binders, by state.

Assignment 3: National Preservation Conference (Oct 16-21)

The class will address "national" issues, resources, and initiatives, with reference to the sessions that will be presented at the National Preservation Conference 2004. Based on class discussion, you will be asked to:

1. research specific initiatives in advance of the NPC;
2. (for those of you going) attend sessions on the subject(s) at the NPC;
3. and develop a written report on the subject, the sessions, and your assessment , including a "prognosis."  

Assignment 4: National Issue - In depth (Nov 7 - throughout semester)

 Research one national preservation issue (which you will select, and present for discussion and consideration on November 7, in class). This issue may, or may not, pertain to the states that you have been investigating. More likely, the issue should be one that interests you, which you may have investigated during the National Preservation Conference, and which may pertain to an aspect of the field you are considering for work. During class (December 5) you will present your "issue," with reference to examples of its importance.

Consider the following categories, which will vary depending on the nature of your issue:

1. Subject
2. Definition and summary; importance
3. History ("background") and cause
4. Issues
5. Players
6. References: legislation, standards, funding, citations, technical
7. National resources (government, organization, education, etc.)
8. Exemplary state initiatives
9. Exemplary city and/or community initiatives
10. Future directions and needs

 For a list of national issues and initiatives, consider the list at Programs & Initiatives.