Course Requirements
AMST 205 consists of the following interrelated parts: readings; class
discussions, presentations, and activities (some of these will occur
online);
three virtual exhibition projects and an exhibition review; participation
in
the class listserv.
Readings: We have chosen the readings with one or
more
purposes in mind: 1) to provide instruction in techniques of artifactual
analysis, critical inquiry, or museum exhibition, 2) to showcase a
variety of
approaches to material culture studies and American Studies, 3) to
stimulate
discussion and interest in deciphering American culture. It is important
that
you complete the readings by the date on which they appear on the course
calendar. Be an active reader! Take notes, think about what you have
read, and
come to class prepared to discuss or argue with or ask questions about
the
readings.
Class Discussions and Activities: In an active
learning
course, class time is very important. We are committed to making our
classroom
experience as stimulating and significant as possible; you must do your
part to
contribute to the quality of our time together as well. Since we are
operating
as a team, what you do influences others. We need your involvement.
What, then, are your responsibilities? You'll need to attend
regularly, come to class on time, and come prepared for the day's
activities.
For many of our classes, we'll ask you to help present a portion of the
class
content, either orally or online. This may consist of clarifying a
concept,
summarizing the major points of a passage from the reading, preparing a
"devil's advocate" critique of an idea, or compiling questions for the
class to
address in our discussion. On other occasions, we'll divide up either in
the
classroom or the computer lab to work on a specific in-class exercise.
You can
contribute your attention, your leadership skills, your good ideas,
and/or your
reporting skills in making those activities a success. On days when a
major
project is due, you should come to class ready to describe your project
and
summarize your findings.
In an active learning course, we think of our role as teacher/student and
yours
as student/teacher. Your knowledge and experience is an important
classroom
resource.
Projects: There will be three assigned projects
during
the semester, all related to museum exhibitions. In material culture
studies,
the museum exhibition is one of the primary ways through which
researchers
communicate their ideas and findings. In these projects, you will have
the
opportunity to research and interpret a little bit of the history of
American
culture or to critique the ways in which others have done so. In each
project,
you'll be asked to analyze a specific type of cultural artifact--by
applying
the field analysis techniques we learn during the semester--and to report
your
conclusions in a formal paper or by contributing to a class exhibition
which we
will produce and present online, using a World Wide Web site on the
Internet.
For each project you will receive a sheet describing the assignment in
detail
and, where appropriate, instruction for learning the technical knowledge
you'll
need to help create our exhibitions. The four projects are: 1)
analysis of an artifact symbolic of your college experience, 2) a
museum exhibition review, 3) analysis of an artifact of appearance,
and 4) analysis of the material culture of Greenbelt, Maryland. Specific
due
dates for the projects are listed on the Course Calendar, above.
Quizzes: There may be two or three quizzes during
the semester. Their purpose is to test your understanding of basic course
concepts and to help you grasp the major themes and arguments in the
assigned
readings. Quizzes may or may not be announced in advance. They will
be evaluated as a part of your class participation grade.
Listserv Contributions: Students are required to
obtain WAM accounts and to join the class listserv (THINGS) and
contribute to its discussions on a weekly and substantive basis. There
will be occasional listserv exercises and short assignments.
Final Examination: There will be no final exam in
AMST 205 this semester.