Assignment
Length: 3.5 to 5 pages.
FORMAT: is to be in an report/essay format with the following sections clearly designated:
Title: Identify your artifact, its location and URL, if possible.
Observation. Exercise deep looking and in paragraph form write a detailed description of the object and its setting. In words, visualize the object in detail for the reader. Avoid assumptions. This section requires close direct experience, not research.
Context. Here is the place to relay facts from your research: the who, what and where. Consult reliable, authoritative, substantive sources (use Paley to find (and use!) books and articles. Select and use valued websites, conduct interviews (if appropriate) - anything to help you find what is relevant, interesting and essential to know to better understand your artifact.
Analysis. As you know, this section is very different from context. Here's where you reveal the meaning, the cultural significance of your artifact. This is the culmination of you report and can only be completed after the other observation and context sections. Interpret and suggest why the artifact is the way it is and what it reveals about its maker, about its place and time, society and even humanity.
Bibliography. Include and use in your writing at least FOUR bibliographical sources. Finding and using good sources will help you achieve clarity and depth. Substantial, relevant, reliable and varied sources include books, encyclopedias (hard copy and/or online), scholarly articles, exhibition catalogues, robust museum websites, etc. Wikipedia, tourism websites, many news stories and most online dictionaries and are NOT considered substantial or reliable. The Museum URL for the object cannot be a source. Class lectures are not sources.
About choosing your artifacts: review the prompt above with sources and locations. Avoid artifacts that are overexposed and overly complex. Objects and sites that are off limits include those we covered in class and the rocky statue, the love statue, the clothespin, and paint torch. All murals are off limits. So are buildings, parks, philadelphia's magic gardens, independence hall, the liberty bell.