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Hecol 662: Themes in Material Culture
Considering disciplines in an interdisciplinary fieldDepartment of Human Ecology Course outline: 9 January - 10 April 2019
Class time: Winter term, Thursday, 9:00 – 11:50 Location: Human Ecology Building 208
Instructor: Dr. Arlene Oak
Office: HECOL 312 Office Hours: Tuesday 2:00-3:00 p.m. (please make appointment) Phone: (780) 492 5686 Email: [email protected] (email is the best way to contact me).
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Course Description
★ 3 (fi 6) (either term, 0-3s-0) A range of perspectives and approaches to theory and research as they are used in the field of material culture studies.
Scholarly fields that study how people relate to the 'built environment' of objects, images, and places (fields such as visual and material culture studies, design studies, practice studies, cultural studies, etc.) are often described as ‘interdisciplinary and/or
multidisciplinary’ ... but these fields are not necessarily 'undisciplinary' ... that is, scholarly 'disciplines' still underpin particular questions and approaches to understanding.
This seminar-based course explores how scholarly disciplines inform and shape the particular ways in which the objects and practices of the material world are studied. The course especially explores some of the research questions, methods, and modes of analysis associated with, for example:
- social history / art and/or design history;
- social anthropology & ethnography;
- social psychology / psychology;
- cultural studies / sociology
- and, perspectives such as Actor Network Theory and Science & Technology Studies.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course students should:
- Understand interrelationships between a range of topics and approaches that influence the study of material objects, visual images, places, practices, etc.;
- Recognize some of the approaches and significant themes of various research disciplines (e.g. social history, ethnographic anthropology);
- Identify and critically explore modes of data collection, analysis, and mediation with regard to explorations of the material world;
- Integrate relevant topics, approaches, and themes into your own research in material culture studies (and/or associated areas);
- Present your own research on material culture in oral and written formats.
Course Grading Scheme: Mark Distribution
Summaries – 20 % (2% per summary x 10 summaries). Due in class.
Class participation - 30% participation over the course of the term.
Final written assignment & oral presentation – 50% (35% essay 15% presentation).
Late essays will have 10% deducted per day and are not accepted after one week.
Alert me as soon as you anticipate any possible delay in submitting your written assignment.
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Summaries: Each member of the seminar group will be asked to summarize and critically discuss one or more readings each week, and/or offer some written information that further contributes to the understanding of one of the readings. A printed version of this summary will be submitted to the instructor during the class. Ensure these documents have a date and your full name. Keep a copy for yourself. While each student focuses on a
particular reading for their summary, each student is expected to have read ALL the readings that are assigned for each class.
Alternatively, or additionally, on selected weeks students may be asked to complete a short assignment and/or discuss an assignment in class. Such assignments will usually be distributed on eClass or via email.
Participation: The summaries are important because they will help you to participate in class by enabling you to discuss the readings in some detail. Engagement with topics, questions, and issues through discussion is an important element of the course.
Interdisciplinary Investigation: Each student will select up to three SSHRC-related
‘discipline’ categories and prepare a written investigation into how these ‘disciplines’ relate to investigations in material culture studies.
Written assignment & presentation: It is recommended that the topic of your essay be related to your MA or PhD research Each student will select an essay topic in consultation with the instructor. The essay will either: include a substantial material element that is analyzed through methods, issues and/or perspectives that are related to those discussed in class; or, take the form of a literature review (if you are not taking Hecol 571) in which you locate your material culture research in relation to other work in relevant field(s). Each student will also make an oral presentation to the class in relation to this topic.
Assignment delays
If an assignment is late for any reason (illness or otherwise) please inform me by email as soon as possible. Late assignments should be handed in directly to [email protected] as an email attachment.
Course scores: Numerical to letter grade
Description Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Minimal
pass
Failing
Letter A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
Percent range 100-95 94-90 89-86 85-82 81-77 76-73 72-69 68-64 63-60 59-55 54-50 49-0
--- Course Policies:
Special Needs
If you have personal and/or academic special needs (e.g. learning challenges, physical difficulties, language-comprehension issues, etc.), please notify me at the start of the course.
Special arrangements for assignments can be provided with documentation of special needs.
Classroom rules of engagement
As a small seminar-based course it is important that all students contribute and are engaged during discussion. The 662 classroom is intended to be a place where students are generous and courteous in sharing their thoughts.
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Reading and preparationInformation pertaining to the course (such as titles of readings, information about assignments, etc.) will be posted on eClass, sent out by email, or distributed in class.
Assigned readings need to be completed by each student for each class. You should be prepared to discuss assigned readings at each class. Participation is a substantial portion of this course, so it is important that all members of the class are engaged during class time.
Attendance
If you miss a class, you are still responsible for material covered and for being aware of any special announcements or assignments. Class attendance and participation are important. It is expected that you will attend regularly and participate in discussions and other activities.
Contacting the instructor:
Generally email is best. Use your ualberta.ca address for all correspondence concerning this course! Include your full name and 662 in the subject line.
If your email message is urgent, please indicate this in the subject heading.
Computers and electronic devices
Ensure that phones are turned off during class. Recording is permitted only with the prior written consent of the professor or if recording is part of an approved accommodation plan.
Student Services & Support:
There are many student services available to you, please see the following link for more information https://www.ualberta.ca/provost/dean-of-students/services
If you have concerns about your ability to write or otherwise participate in this course at an appropriate level, you are STRONGLY recommended to visit, at your soonest convenience, the UofA's Centre for Writers and/or the Academic Success Centre.
As well as assisting students in developing writing skills, they also cover other relevant topics such as conducting research effectively, time management, etc.)
https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/centre-for-writers https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-success-centre
The University of Alberta is located in ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan) on Treaty 6 lands, the ancestral lands of the Papaschase, and the homeland of the Métis peoples.
Academic Integrity
Ethical Issues: Intellectual Honesty/Plagiarism
In all academic work, you must acknowledge ideas, information and statements that are not your own--both to avoid the charge of plagiarism and to enable a reader to go to your sources if she/he wishes to read further. This includes any and all Internet material.
Plagiarism and Cheating
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.governance.ualberta. ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”
Code of Student Behaviour “All students at the University of Alberta are subject to the Code of Student Behaviour, as outlined at:
https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/resources/policies-standards-and-codes-of-conduct/code-of-student-behaviour
Please familiarize yourself with it and ensure that you do not participate in any inappropriate behavior as defined by the Code.
Key components of the code include the following statements.
30.3.2(1) No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student’s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
30.3.2(2)c. No Student shall represent another’s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the Student’s own work.”Students should speak with the course instructor about any questions or concerns about the code. Students should be particularly aware of the code as it pertains to internet and library research, use of previous class notes, reclamation plans of former students and interviews or discussions with others.
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Hecol 662: Themes in Material Culture: Course Schedule 2019:
Considering disciplines in an interdisciplinary field
Please note: This schedule is subject to change. Check eClass for updates.
Specific readings will be made available and assigned to students to lead discussion.
9 January Introduction to course
Considering objects and categories
Assignment: ‘20 Questions to ask an object’
Readings: Introductions to introductions to Material Culture Studies 16 January Discuss: ’20 Questions to ask an object’
Discuss: Introductions to introductions to Material Culture Studies Readings assigned: Museum studies & object analyses
23 January Discuss: Museum studies & object analyses
Readings assigned: Social history & material culture 30 January Discuss: Social history & material culture
Readings assigned: Cultural studies & material culture 6 February Discuss: Cultural studies & material culture
Readings assigned: Archaeology & material culture 13 February Discuss: Archaeology & material culture
Readings assigned: Social anthropology & material culture READING WEEK 18-22 February
27 February Discuss: Social anthropology & material culture
Readings assigned: ANT & STS (Science & Technology Studies) Hand in: Interdisciplinary investigation
6 March Discuss: ANT & Science & Technology Studies Readings assigned: Studies of practice
13 March Discuss: Studies of practice
Readings assigned: To be announced 20 March Discuss: To be announced
27 March Student presentations 3 April Student Presentations
10 April Discuss: Material Culture, meaning, performance
