ACCC’s College-wide Book ACCC’s College-wide Book ProjectProject

2007-20082007-2008

ACCC’s College-wide Book ACCC’s College-wide Book Project:Project:

The BasicsThe BasicsHere at Atlantic Cape Community College, we believe Here at Atlantic Cape Community College, we believe that the experience of our community is a huge part that the experience of our community is a huge part of our students’ education. To foster the community of our students’ education. To foster the community spirit, ACCC chooses one book each year for its spirit, ACCC chooses one book each year for its students, faculty, and staff to read in collaboration. students, faculty, and staff to read in collaboration. The book is just not any book, however. It must The book is just not any book, however. It must meet certain criteria:meet certain criteria: contain about 250 pages (or close to this number)contain about 250 pages (or close to this number) have multiple themes for application in many have multiple themes for application in many coursescourses be accessible to students at all levels be accessible to students at all levels

This “College-wide Book” isn’t This “College-wide Book” isn’t easy to choose, and we need easy to choose, and we need

your help! your help! As you read, keep note of any book you think As you read, keep note of any book you think

may make a great college-wide book! (Don’t may make a great college-wide book! (Don’t forget the three stipulations of the previous forget the three stipulations of the previous

slide…)slide…)

Watch the Watch the CommunicatorCommunicator for announcements for announcements about next year’s book selection and this about next year’s book selection and this

year’s events!year’s events!

Meet this year’s College-wide Book, Meet this year’s College-wide Book, The Last Days of Dogtown The Last Days of Dogtown

by Anita Diamant, author of by Anita Diamant, author of The Red Tent.The Red Tent.

““Set on the high ground at the heart of Cape Set on the high ground at the heart of Cape Ann, the village of Dogtown is peopled by Ann, the village of Dogtown is peopled by widows, orphans, spinsters, scoundrels, widows, orphans, spinsters, scoundrels, whores, free Africans, and ‘witches.’ Among whores, free Africans, and ‘witches.’ Among the inhabitants of this hamlet are Black Ruth, the inhabitants of this hamlet are Black Ruth, who dresses as a man and works as a who dresses as a man and works as a stonemason; Mrs. Stanley, an imperious stonemason; Mrs. Stanley, an imperious madam whose grandson, Sammy, comes of madam whose grandson, Sammy, comes of age in her brothel; Oliver Younger, who age in her brothel; Oliver Younger, who survives a miserable childhood at the hands of survives a miserable childhood at the hands of his aunt; and Cornelius Finson, a freed slave. his aunt; and Cornelius Finson, a freed slave. At the center of it all is Judy Rhines, a fiercely At the center of it all is Judy Rhines, a fiercely independent soul, deeply lonely, who independent soul, deeply lonely, who nonetheless builds a life for herself against all nonetheless builds a life for herself against all imaginable odds…” (Diamant’s back cover)imaginable odds…” (Diamant’s back cover)

The Last Days of The Last Days of DogtownDogtown

Reading ContextReading Context

A novel by A novel by

Anita DiamantAnita Diamant

Does Dogtown really exist?Does Dogtown really exist?

Does Dogtown really exist? Does Dogtown really exist? (page 2)(page 2)

““Dogtown is known for its woods and for its Dogtown is known for its woods and for its boulders and rock formations left behind when boulders and rock formations left behind when the last glaciers melted. Because of the the last glaciers melted. Because of the availability of water, in 1642, the Commons availability of water, in 1642, the Commons Settlement was located here and was for a Settlement was located here and was for a century the most prosperous part of Gloucester”.century the most prosperous part of Gloucester”.

http://myweb.northshore.edu/users/ccarlsen/poetry/gloucester/dogtownhistory.html

Does Dogtown really exist? Does Dogtown really exist? (page 3)(page 3)

““A change in economic conditions after 1750 brought A change in economic conditions after 1750 brought about the decline of the Commons Settlement and the about the decline of the Commons Settlement and the onset of Dogtown. Deforestation, an absence of pirates, onset of Dogtown. Deforestation, an absence of pirates, and the victory over the British in the Revolutionary War and the victory over the British in the Revolutionary War brought the Commons Settlement’s more successful brought the Commons Settlement’s more successful families to the harbor. Their properties were rented, families to the harbor. Their properties were rented, often to the less well-to-do, and sometimes to widows of often to the less well-to-do, and sometimes to widows of Revolutionary War soldiers, whose use of dogs for Revolutionary War soldiers, whose use of dogs for protection and companionship helped coin the name protection and companionship helped coin the name Dogtown”. Dogtown”.

http://myweb.northshore.edu/users/ccarlsen/poetry/gloucester/dogtownhistory.html

Does Dogtown really exist? Does Dogtown really exist? (page 4)(page 4)

““Until 1830, when the last resident of Dogtown, Until 1830, when the last resident of Dogtown, Black Neil, was taken to the poorhouse, the area Black Neil, was taken to the poorhouse, the area spiraled downward into a depression. It was spiraled downward into a depression. It was during this era that many of the colorful during this era that many of the colorful characters that have come to be associated characters that have come to be associated with Dogtown made their impressions on with Dogtown made their impressions on Gloucester history and lore”.Gloucester history and lore”.

http://myweb.northshore.edu/users/ccarlsen/poetry/gloucester/dogtownhistory.html

Dogtown TodayDogtown Today ““The modern twentieth century history of The modern twentieth century history of

Dogtown is the story of its becoming a natural Dogtown is the story of its becoming a natural resource for Gloucester. Naturalist, historian, resource for Gloucester. Naturalist, historian, and philanthropist Roger Babson (1875-1967) and philanthropist Roger Babson (1875-1967) is the man most responsible for this”. is the man most responsible for this”.

http://myweb.northshore.edu/users/ccarlsen/poetry/gloucester/dogtownhistory.html

Contrasting CharactersContrasting Characters

““After the Revolution, when the Commons After the Revolution, when the Commons Settlement became known as Dogtown, two Settlement became known as Dogtown, two among many legendary figures emerged: among many legendary figures emerged: Judith Rhines and Tammy Younger, “witches” Judith Rhines and Tammy Younger, “witches” behaving badly during the depressed behaving badly during the depressed decades of Dogtown in the 1800’s”. decades of Dogtown in the 1800’s”.

http://myweb.northshore.edu/users/ccarlsen/poetry/gloucester/dogtownhistory.html

1919thth Century Life Century Life

The Road to Dogtown…

Some important themes:Some important themes:

AbolitionismAbolitionism AlcoholismAlcoholism Canine behaviorCanine behavior Homeopathic medicineHomeopathic medicine PovertyPoverty ProstitutionProstitution Racial tensionRacial tension SlaverySlavery SexualitySexuality

ACCC’s Website for ACCC’s Website for The Last Days of Dogtown The Last Days of Dogtown (Courtesy of Kathy Fritz):(Courtesy of Kathy Fritz):

http://www.atlantic.edu/library/http://www.atlantic.edu/library/

TheLastdaysofDogtown.htmTheLastdaysofDogtown.htm

This all sounds great, but This all sounds great, but how do I incorporate how do I incorporate The The

Last Days of Dogtown Last Days of Dogtown into into my class?my class?

That’s a good question!That’s a good question!

Here are some suggestions for using Here are some suggestions for using the College-wide Book in the College-wide Book in your your class.class.

Allied Health, Nursing, and Allied Health, Nursing, and Physical EducationPhysical Education

Create the nutrition label for Easter Carter’s Create the nutrition label for Easter Carter’s potato and cabbage stew; Oliver’s cold potato and cabbage stew; Oliver’s cold biscuit with goose fat spread; and biscuit with goose fat spread; and Cornelius’ salted, fried ducks.Cornelius’ salted, fried ducks.

Research the best types of physical labor Research the best types of physical labor (log-splitting, stone masonry, etc) for (log-splitting, stone masonry, etc) for creating lean muscle mass.creating lean muscle mass.

Compare and contrast the eating habits of Compare and contrast the eating habits of the Commons Settlement inhabitants with the Commons Settlement inhabitants with the eating habits of your family. the eating habits of your family.

Write a report on the best ways to care for a Write a report on the best ways to care for a toothache (Tammy), a hangover toothache (Tammy), a hangover (Stanwood), or syphillis AKA “French pox” (Stanwood), or syphillis AKA “French pox” (Stanwood).(Stanwood).

Arts and HumanitiesArts and Humanities Craft a scene from the novel in clay (or with Craft a scene from the novel in clay (or with

paint, charcoals, pencils, etc. on canvas or paint, charcoals, pencils, etc. on canvas or paper).paper).

Draw your depiction of one of the characters from Draw your depiction of one of the characters from the book. Research the clothing so that your the book. Research the clothing so that your character fits into his/her time period.character fits into his/her time period.

Write an article to appear in Write an article to appear in The New York Times The New York Times Book Review Book Review on the book.on the book.

Consider the racial tensions in the book; how are Consider the racial tensions in the book; how are they consistent or inconsistent with historical they consistent or inconsistent with historical testimonies of the time?testimonies of the time?

Research witchcraft—its main tenets, believers, Research witchcraft—its main tenets, believers, changing representations through time.changing representations through time.

Create a one-act play based on one of the Create a one-act play based on one of the characters of the book. Have the character characters of the book. Have the character reflect on his time in Dogtown.reflect on his time in Dogtown.

BusinessBusiness

Create a business plan for an item or idea you Create a business plan for an item or idea you think would have found success in Dogtown in think would have found success in Dogtown in the early 1800s.the early 1800s.

Research the legality of prostitution from the Research the legality of prostitution from the 1800s to the present in the US. How have the 1800s to the present in the US. How have the laws changed? How have the penalties for laws changed? How have the penalties for breaking the laws changed?breaking the laws changed?

Look into the incomes of poverty-stricken Look into the incomes of poverty-stricken communities that border wealthy communities. communities that border wealthy communities. What trends are there? Consider the poor What trends are there? Consider the poor communities that manage: how do they communities that manage: how do they survive?survive?

Computer Computer Information Information

SystemsSystems Create a website for one of the book’s characters. Create a website for one of the book’s characters.

What would he/she be selling? Add links to items What would he/she be selling? Add links to items he/she would like the viewers to see and/or buy.he/she would like the viewers to see and/or buy.

Create a user’s manual for Dogtown’s residents Create a user’s manual for Dogtown’s residents on modern computers. Explain the computer and on modern computers. Explain the computer and its purposes. Teach the residents, in layman’s its purposes. Teach the residents, in layman’s terms, how to surf the web for some items they terms, how to surf the web for some items they might be interested in reading about (assume might be interested in reading about (assume they can read!). they can read!).

Craft your own College-wide Book website for the Craft your own College-wide Book website for the novel. Show your visitors what you think is novel. Show your visitors what you think is important in the book. important in the book.

Culinary ArtsCulinary Arts

Rewrite Cornelius’ recipe for fried ducks. Add your Rewrite Cornelius’ recipe for fried ducks. Add your own flourishes that would be consistent with New own flourishes that would be consistent with New England fare. England fare.

Create a going away cake for Cornelius Finch, Create a going away cake for Cornelius Finch, Dogtown’s last resident. Use ingredients that would Dogtown’s last resident. Use ingredients that would be easy to find in or around the Commons be easy to find in or around the Commons Settlement of the 1800s, and considering Cornelius’ Settlement of the 1800s, and considering Cornelius’ personality, decorate the cake in a way Cornelius personality, decorate the cake in a way Cornelius might have liked.might have liked.

Create the menu for a peasants’ fare restaurant that Create the menu for a peasants’ fare restaurant that focused on simple, tasty dishes at affordable costs. focused on simple, tasty dishes at affordable costs. Consider the layout and design of your menu as Consider the layout and design of your menu as much as your menu’s items.much as your menu’s items.

EnglishEnglish Write a character analysis of one of the many colorful Write a character analysis of one of the many colorful

characters in the novel.characters in the novel. Have the class work together to create its own Have the class work together to create its own Cliff NotesCliff Notes

for the text, summarizing, interpreting, and providing for the text, summarizing, interpreting, and providing context for readers of the novel. context for readers of the novel.

Show how well you know your stuff: place a character from Show how well you know your stuff: place a character from our textbook into Dogtown. What would he/she do there? our textbook into Dogtown. What would he/she do there? With whom would he/she be friends?With whom would he/she be friends?

Write an essay on the most important theme in the book. Write an essay on the most important theme in the book. How was this theme integral to Diamant’s telling of the How was this theme integral to Diamant’s telling of the story?story?

Research the treatment of U.S. Africans during the Research the treatment of U.S. Africans during the Antebellum years. Write a report on this treatment. Then, Antebellum years. Write a report on this treatment. Then, write a fictional account of either Cornelius or Black Ruth write a fictional account of either Cornelius or Black Ruth that captures the character’s experience in Dogtown.that captures the character’s experience in Dogtown.

English as a Second English as a Second Language and Modern Language and Modern

LanguagesLanguagesIn whichever language is being studied:In whichever language is being studied: Write a letter to Anita Diamant explaining what her Write a letter to Anita Diamant explaining what her

book taught you about life in the early 1800s.book taught you about life in the early 1800s. Prepare a speech on why Gloucester should or Prepare a speech on why Gloucester should or

should not have helped fund Dogtown so that, due should not have helped fund Dogtown so that, due to its increasing and debilitating poverty levels, it to its increasing and debilitating poverty levels, it would not have disappeared.would not have disappeared.

Write a summary of your favorite chapter; then, Write a summary of your favorite chapter; then, explain why this chapter stands out to you.explain why this chapter stands out to you.

Listen to instrumental music that would be popular Listen to instrumental music that would be popular in New England in the early 1800s. Write the lyrics in New England in the early 1800s. Write the lyrics to one song you like. to one song you like.

Math and ScienceMath and Science

Research Whale’s Jaw and what led to its partial Research Whale’s Jaw and what led to its partial collapse.collapse.

Look into homeopathic medicine and its use through Look into homeopathic medicine and its use through time. Which medicines seem the most common and time. Which medicines seem the most common and successful?successful?

Study the effects of malnutrition on the poor of the early Study the effects of malnutrition on the poor of the early 1800s and compare/contrast with the poor of today. 1800s and compare/contrast with the poor of today.

Find out what percentage of sunlight the Commons Find out what percentage of sunlight the Commons Settlement would have received in the early 1800s, and Settlement would have received in the early 1800s, and write a report that calculates how that percentage has write a report that calculates how that percentage has changed since then.changed since then.

Create a formula that illustrates the creation of a pack of Create a formula that illustrates the creation of a pack of dogs (include likely litter numbers and deaths per year). dogs (include likely litter numbers and deaths per year).

Social ScienceSocial Science Research other ghost towns (many in NJ) and Research other ghost towns (many in NJ) and

what led to their extinction.what led to their extinction. Read about the landscape of the Commons Read about the landscape of the Commons

Settlement and explain how the story would be Settlement and explain how the story would be different if set in another part of the country. different if set in another part of the country. Pick one particular area of the country that Pick one particular area of the country that you don’t know well.you don’t know well.

Create an educational field-trip for grammar Create an educational field-trip for grammar school students to visit a local ghost-town.school students to visit a local ghost-town.

Study the effects of poverty on self-esteem, Study the effects of poverty on self-esteem, social skills, and health.social skills, and health.

Look into alcoholism and other addictions that Look into alcoholism and other addictions that are commonplace in poor communities. are commonplace in poor communities.

The road to Dogtown continues…

•Join us at the Country Living Fair on Oct. 21st.

•Join us for other events to come…

•All events will be announced in the Communicator.

•Consider using the novel in your Spring courses.

•Please contact us by October 11th if you are interested.

•We’ll need your course number, section number, and estimated enrollment.