Assignment for the Redpath Museum (10%) Due by April 20th Part One You need to read one of the articles below very carefully in order to identify the – main ideas and insights. Alberti, Samuel J. M. M. "Objects and the Museum." 96 (2005): 559-571. Isis Kohlstedt, Gregory. in Things” Modernity, History, and North American “Thoughts Museums." 96 (2005): 586-601. Isis Forgan, Sophie. "Building the Museum: Knowledge, Conflict and the Power of Place." 96 Isis (2005): 572-585 Part Two a paper that shows both your mastery of the material in the article and your –Write reflections on how the ideas and insights in this article relate to what you saw at the museum. Below are guidelines for each essay. Alberti's main thesis is that objects can be described as if they have "biographies". Your task is to look for information about the "biographies" of the objects in the Redpath. Some objects are accompanied by very little information about their creation/growth, entry into the museum, etc., while others have much more. Write a paper in which you compare the "biographical" information available about specific objects or collections. Kohlstedt traces the development of the "modern museum" and when we look at the Redpath we can see that it reflects this movement and its goals of preservation, research, and education. However, Kohlstedt points out that relationships between museum directors, patrons, donors, collectors, staff in the field and in the museum, and the audience were complex and varying changing levels of power and influence. Discuss Kohlstedt's observations in relation to what you see at the Redpath. Forgan addresses how competing interests shape the museum both physically in terms of architecture and what the museum means in its urban context. What connections can you make between Forgan's essay and what you observe at the Redpath? Any time you refer to the text you should include a parenthetical citation. Use MLA style. Marks will be assigned for accuracy in identifying important concepts and for making original connections between the article and the museum. Papers are to be typed, proof-read and approximately 3-4 pages long. Remember that this is to be your own original work. If you have a proposal for a topic which differs from the above, you are welcome to discuss it with me.
Assignment for the Redpath Museum (10%) Due by April 20th Part One – You need to read one of the articles below very carefully in order to identify the main ideas and insights. Alberti, Samuel J. M. M. "Objects and the Museum." Isis 96 (2005): 559-571. Kohlstedt, Gregory. “Thoughts in Things” Modernity, History, and North American Museums." Isis 96 (2005): 586-601. Forgan, Sophie. "Building the Museum: Knowledge, Conflict and the Power of Place." Isis 96 (2005): 572-585 Part Two –Write a paper that shows both your mastery of the material in the article and your reflections on how the ideas and insights in this article relate to what you saw at the museum. Below are guidelines for each essay. Alberti's main thesis is that objects can be described as if they have "biographies". Your task is to look for information about the "biographies" of the objects in the Redpath. Some objects are accompanied by very little information about their creation/growth, entry into the museum, etc., while others have much more. Write a paper in which you compare the "biographical" information available about specific objects or collections. Kohlstedt traces the development of the "modern museum" and when we look at the Redpath we can see that it reflects this movement and its goals of preservation, research, and education. However, Kohlstedt points out that relationships between museum directors, patrons, donors, collectors, staff in the field and in the museum, and the audience were complex and varying changing levels of power and influence. Discuss Kohlstedt's observations in relation to what you see at the Redpath. Forgan addresses how competing interests shape the museum both physically in terms of architecture and what the museum means in its urban context. What connections can you make between Forgan's essay and what you observe at the Redpath? Any time you refer to the text you should include a parenthetical citation. Use MLA style. Marks will be assigned for accuracy in identifying important concepts and for making original connections between the article and the museum. Papers are to be typed, proof-read and approximately 3-4 pages long. Remember that this is to be your own original work. If you have a proposal for a topic which differs from the above, you are welcome to discuss it with me.
2017redpath_museum.docx