Material culture study has been defined as "the study through artifacts of the beliefs -- values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions -- of a particular community or society at a given time." In this course we will investigate together the rich potential of "things" -- objects, landscapes, and buildings -- and exhibitions of things as sources of insight about American culture. Through readings, discussions, presentations, and projects, we will analyze everything from coke bottles to cosmetics, baskets to beads, townhouses to terrapins -- to discover the meanings that these cultural products held for those who created and consumed them. Along the way, we will learn and apply a field technique for analyzing artifacts and create "virtual" exhibitions to display the results of our collective research. |
"...we will analyze everything from coke bottles to cosmetics, baskets to beads, townhouses to terrapins..." |
"We'll make use of campus computing facilities to stage interactive discussions and to create virtual exhibitions to present and share the results of our object-based research projects." |
This is an active learning course with a strong electronic component; we are embarking on a collective enterprise that -- to be stimulating and successful -- requires the steady participation of each student in classroom and computer activities. What do I mean by "active learning"? Instead of reading other scholars' studies of objects ('tho we'll do some of that), we'll be studying objects directly and completing and presenting our own analyses of them. Students will take an active role in presenting material in both face-to-face and computer-enhanced discussions. What is the "strong electronic component" in the course? We'll make use of campus computing facilities to stage interactive discussions and to create virtual exhibitions to present and share the results of our object-based research projects. |
There are no official prerequisites for AMST 205 except students' willingness to get involved with the course, to keep up with assignments, to master the basics of html and "surfing" the internet, and to give active learning the "old college try." Our emphasis will be on developing students' skills for working through challenging problems by attempting challenging projects. |
"There are no official prerequisites for AMST 205 except students' willingness to get involved with the course..." |
"The first principle of material culture studies is OBSERVE THE ARTIFACT AT FIRSTHAND." |
How will class time be spent? During most classes, we will be learning the research or computer skills needed for a particular assignment, presenting course material, reporting the results of projects either orally or electronically, discussing readings, or working on the "hands-on" analysis or exhibition of artifacts. The first principle of material culture studies is OBSERVE THE ARTIFACT AT FIRSTHAND. For the duration of the semester, consider yourselves scholars involved in discovering, describing, analyzing, and interpreting artifacts for the insight they can bring us about American culture. |