Artifacts - an introduction to material culture studies
CLASSART 130
a class with the honorable [Barry Katz] and his excellency [Michael Shanks]
Mondays 1.15 to 3 - Building 160-127
Spring 2004
first class 5 April
last class 24 May
assignment due 4 June
“Artifacts” is a sustained inquiry into the nature of things:
Where do things come from?
Why do humans have such an extraordinary reliance upon artifacts of their own creation?
What do things mean, and How do things mean?
Drawing from an exceptionally wide range of disciplines—from archaeology to information theory and from economics to engineering, we will examine a diverse selection of modern and ancient artifacts with a view to how they function in defining our individual and collective lives.
In the end we will find that things may not be what they seem.
Requirements
1. Completion of all reading assignments; attendance at all class meetings.
2. A project (essay, portfolio, report), due June 4, which examines the nature of an “artifact” in view of the theories and methods developed in the course.
Grading
Final grades will be determined by assessment of the depth of research, the originality of approach, the quality of argument, and the challenge of the topic.
Reading
A Course Reader, “ARTIFACTS,” will be available at the first class meeting.
Schedule | Bibliography
Posted at Apr 13/2004 06:55 PM:
[Marie Cannizzaro]: Whoa, sorry.
Marie's Page
Rita's page
Erica's Page
Andrea's Page
Rachel's Page
Josephine's Page, yay!
Meg's Page
Posted at Apr 19/2004 12:50 PM:
[Marcela Hernandez]: Tools are capable or reflecting human intelligence, culture, and creativity. The use sometimes goes beyond its intended purpose. The tool can be used to cause changes, as well as it causing change. Washburn suggests that “the tool use is both the cause and the effect of bipedal locomotion.” Tools can change the way we interact with our environment, which can eventually lead to a change in our society and culture.
Tools used for more than is intended. Not only do we use them to facilitate a task, but we also inscribe meaning on to them and sometimes attack feelings. Latour says that “artifacts count for nothing; they are just there to transport domination, exclusion, and power, conducting them like electricity along a wire. Certain tools give people power in either a positive or negative way. Weapons and other tools of destruction give a person a negative power; the power to instill fear. Other tools, such as pens and paintbrushes give a person the power to create and express themselves. Unfortunately, we use tools to gain both types of power.
Societal roles can also be defined by the tools we use. We can use some of the tools to place ourselves in a higher society level, or lower (as is the case with violence). The tools themselves can say much about a person’s financial situation, and maybe even education. It influences the way others see a person and automatically place them on a scale.
Posted at May 06/2004 01:18 PM:
[Marie Cannizzaro]: Can someone please tell me where to find the readings in the library?
Posted at May 07/2004 12:05 PM:
[Rita Lomio]: Hey Marie, there was one reading there yesterday (Thursday) afternoon... same place as the Rubbish! (directly to the left of the door, on that little cubby). But it was only the PowerPoint (Tufte) reading, so not sure if they're adding more.... Just went today (Saturday) and the other two readings are there. Same place.
