Assignment 3 cultural activity report

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.

Visit a museum in person or an online virtual project about the following:

1. The site of ancient Babylon (partially reconstructed from the Nebuchadnezzar era of about 600 BC; see class text--Sayre, 2015, pp. 56-7)

http://www.nytimes.com/video/arts/1248069440724/babylon-ancient-site-modern-problems.html and from 2013 you have http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/04/world/meast/iraq-babylon-tourism/ and http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/24/restoring-glory-long-abused-ancient-babylon/

2. The site of the Ziggurat of ancient Ur.

 (http://archive.archaeology.org/1103/letter/american_soldier_ur_iraq.html ;http://www.penn.museum/sites/iraq/?page_id=69# )

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

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

b) Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).

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

d) 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.

 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; references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the 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 page length.

Visit a Museum

· It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what there is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you.

· If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.

· Every effort should be made ahead of time to identify a museum that has items and works one can easily connect to our HUM 111 class and book. Since HUM 111 covers from ancient times to the 1500s AD, it makes more sense to focus on items from that time frame. In general, museums with artistic cultural artifacts and fine arts work better than history museums.

· Any questions about whether a museum-visit activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for the 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. Generally, we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.

· Take notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum staff gives you. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.

· The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding two (2) or three (3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue you and then considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most museums even have benches where you can sit and study a particular piece.

· If you are having a difficult time deciding which pieces to write about, ask yourself these questions: (1) If the museum you are visiting suddenly caught fire, which two (2) pieces of art or exhibits would you most want to see saved from the fire? (2) Why would you choose those two (2) particular pieces?