As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, computer, and textbook, you are asked to do a certain type of "cultural activity" that fits well with our course and then report on your experience. Your instructor will require you to propose an activity and get instructor approval before you do it and report on it (students should look for any instructions in that respect). Every effort should be made to ensure that this is a hands-on experience (not a virtual one), that this activity fits the HUM 112 class well, and that the activity is of sufficient quality for this university course. The two (2) key types of activities are a museum visit or a performance. Note: This must not be a report on the same activity (and certainly not the same report) as done for another class. For instance, one might go to the same museum as done, but this report will focus on entirely different works and displays.

Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater, dance, or musical performance before the end of Week 10. The activity (museum or performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun doing this.

Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.

Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.

Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces.

Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.

Use at least the class text as a reference (additional sources are fine, not necessary unless required by your content). Your report should include connections you make between things observed in your activity and things learned in the course and text.

Attending a Performance

Check your local colleges to see if there are any free or low-cost performances or student recitals. Student performances are generally of almost the same quality as professional performances, but typically cost much less. However, performances of high school level or lower will not meet this requirement.

Try to do a quality performance that fits the class subject matter well. Sorry-but this is not for pop music or rock music, rap, country music, gospel music, comedy routines, your kid's dance recital, your international friend's wedding, high school plays, renaissance fairs, etc. Instead, think of college level or professional recitals, string quartets, symphony orchestras, opera, jazz, some stage dramas, etc.

Any questions about whether a performance activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for an activity. Any alternative activity outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Normally, we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.

Unlike visiting a museum, where you can wear almost anything, people attending performances are often expected to "dress up" a bit.

Take a pen or pencil with you and accept the program you are offered by the usher; you will probably want to take notes on it during or after the performance.

Turn off your cell phone before entering the auditorium. Do not use your phone to record the music or to take pictures or videos. To play it safe, turn the phone off.

Most long musical performances have at least one (1) intermission. If the lights start blinking, it is the sign that the performance is about to begin.

Look for very specific things (such as a particular piece of music or the way certain instruments sounded at a specific time) which tend to stand out as either enjoyable or not enjoyable. Be sure to take notes of the things which you find enjoyable as well as the things which are not enjoyable.

Note: If a student is unable to attend a cultural event in person due to circumstances beyond the student's control, then the instructor will recommend an alternate event / activity for the student to "attend" online. The "virtual" event / activity is usually only for students who, due to their physical location, cannot possibly attend an event / activity in person; typically, these students are stationed overseas or have no means of transportation. Experience shows most museums and activities are modest in cost and manageable for students, and you will often see students from other universities there on similar course projects.

If you are facing financial hardship, keep in mind that many museums have a free day each week and performance discounts are often available for students and veterans, among others. Feel free to ask your instructor to help with finding low-cost options. If you believe that you have a legitimate reason for attending a "virtual" activity, you must contact the instructor no later than Week 5 for your request to be considered.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the Additional Resources section of their Student Center within their course shell for reference)

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date.

The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

There is a performance of the Nutcracker at the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, GA.

The website for the theatre is http://www.imperialtheatre.com

There is plenty of information and pictures available on this website. The theater also has other information via Google.

The troop performing the piece is the Columbia County Ballet. Their information is available at http://www.columbiacountyballet.com/

The performances are Thursday, December 1st and Friday, December 2nd

If you have access to the book Sayre, H. M. (2015). The humanities: Culture, continuity and change, Volume 2 (3rded.) for citations, that is a definite plus.