Module Identifier |
MG20110 |
Module Title |
MATERIAL CULTURE STUDIES |
Academic Year |
2004/2005 |
Co-ordinator |
Mr Robert K Meyrick |
Semester |
Semester 1 |
Other staff |
Mrs Belinda J Marking, Mr Robert K Meyrick |
Pre-Requisite |
MG10120 |
Co-Requisite |
MG20410 |
Course delivery |
Lecture | 10 |
|
Seminars / Tutorials | 2/2 x 1 hour |
|
Practical | 2 x 1.5 hour workshops |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Assessment | Object Study | 40% |
Semester Assessment | Essay or Object Study | 60% |
|
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. critically use and interpret objects to understand how they relate to human endeavour
2. employ skills learned to describe, evaluate and interpret artefacts
3. question our notions of authenticity and faith in the authority of the museum
Relation to Assessment
-
Object Study(1,2,3), Essay (2,3)
The object study is the principal means by which students are able to demonstrate their understanding of objects in relation to history and society and their ability to interpret objects in their contemporary context. It provides the opportunity to apply the practical skills learned in describing, evaluating and interpreting artefacts. The essay allows the opportunity in question the relationship between objects, museums and society within a theoretical and conceptual framework
Brief description
This core module examines the importance of material culture in our understanding of people in society. The status of objects as evidence of history and cultural experience is analysed against changing attitudes towards the study of objects from the antiquary to antiquarian and art historian. Special attention will be paid to modes of classification and existing models for Object Studies. The legal and ethical issues arising from collecting and collections are also explored
Aims
1. to introduce theories and methodologies of artefact study
2. to examine the place and role of museum objects in the creation and expression of culture
3. to consider how artefacts accumulate meaning as time passes
4. to study collecting and collections in both historical and contemporary contexts
5. to provide experience in the identification and interpretation of objects through a hands-on approach
Content
The Course:
-
Historical Perspective from Antiquary to Antiquarian and Art Historian
-
The Real Thing: the Status of Objects as Evidence of History and Cultural Experience
-
Objects in Structures: the Social Life of Objects
-
Modes of Classification: the Imposition of Meaning in the Museum
-
Methodologies: Models for Object Study
-
Examination of the Existing Models
-
Writing an Object Study
-
How to Describe an Object
-
Legal and Ethical Issues arising from Collecting and Collections
-
Fakes, Copies and Forgeries
Transferable skills
1 Independent project work
Two Object Studies
2 IT and information handling
Word Processing
Database Information Retrieval
Internet Search
3 Use and analysis of numerical information
None
4 Writing in an academic context
Two Object Studies (essay equivalent)
5 Oral discussion and presentation
Seminars
Tutorials
Presentation
6 Careers need awareness
The module is specifically for students considering a career in museums, art gallery administration, public art organisations, freelance curators and exhibition organisers, and in private galleries.
7 Self-management
Course Work
Seminar Preparation
8 Group activity
Seminars
Workshop
Reading Lists
Books
Daniel J Sherman & Irit Rogoff (eds.) (1994) Museum Culture, Histories, Discourses, Spectacles
Routledge, London
Peter Vergo (ed.) (1989) The New Museology
Reaktion Books, London
I Karp & S D Levine (1991) Exhibiting Cultures. The Poetics and Politics of Museum Display
Routledge, London
Raphael Samuel (1994) Theatres of Memory
Verso, London & New York
Nicholas Thomas (1999) Possessions, Indigenous Art Colonial Culture
Thames and Hudson, London
Susan M Pearce (ed.) (1997) Experiencing Material Culture in the Western World,
Leicester University Press, London & Washington
Susan M Pearce (ed.) (1989) Museum Studies in Material Culture
Leicester University Press, Leicester and London
Susan M Pearce (1992) Museums, Objects & Collections
Leicester University Press, Leicester
Susan M Pearce (ed.) (1996) On Collecting
Leicester University Press
Paul du Gay, Stuart Hall et al (1997) Doing Cultural Studies; the Story of the Sony Walkman
Sage Publications & The Open University, London
Thomas Schlereth (ed.) (1982) Material Culture Studies in America
American Association for State and Local History
George W Stocking Jr (1992) The Ethnographers Magic and Other Essays in the History of Anthropology
The University of Winsconsin press, Winsconsin/London
Susan Stewart (1993) On Longing, Narratives of the Miniature, the Gigantic, the Souvenir, the Collection
Duke University Press, Durham & London
James Clifford (1988) The Predicament of Culture: Twentieth-Century Ethnography, Literature and Art
Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass & London
James Deetz (1996) In Small Things Forgotten, An Archaeology of Early American Life
Anchor Books, Doubleday, New York
Umberto Eco (1995) Faith in Fakes, Travels in Hyper-reality
Minerva, London
L Buck & P Dodd (1991) Relative Values: or What Art's Worth
BBC Books, London
John Elsner & Roger Cardinal (eds.) (1994) The Cultures of Collecting
Reaktion Books, London
Dick Hebdige (1988) Hiding in the Light, On Images and Things
Comedia & Routledge, London
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5