DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN ECOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
Human Ecology 462
Material Culture in the Home and Community 2016 Syllabus
Instructor Julia Petrov, PhD Office: HEB 328
Email Address: [email protected] Office Hours: MWF 9:00-10:45
Term Winter
Classes M 1100 to 1250 h HEB 130 Labs W 1100 to 1250 h HEB 130
F 1100 to 1150 h HEB 130
Credits 3 credits
Course Description
Framed within the context of theories in human ecology, this course investigates material culture ranging from individual artifacts to community, including local and global environments.
The roles and effects of material culture on individual, familial and community living are explored through literature, artifacts and life-stories. These issues are examined through a combination of seminars and group work culminating in an exhibit.
Course Pre-Requisites and Co-Requisites HECOL 201.
Course Format
Lectures on weekly topics will take place on Mondays, with discussions and activities related to the lecture to take place on Wednesdays. Friday labs are reserved for work on the culminating exhibition.
Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies
Upon successful completion of this course the student will have:
1. an understanding of the origins and development of material culture studies;
2. been introduced to a wide range of approaches and methods used in material culture studies;
3. developed skills in the analysis and interpretation of material culture;
4. explored the processes of museum curation and exhibition management.
References and Readings
Required textbook: Ian Woodward, Understanding Material Culture, Sage, 2007.
Links to additional readings will be posted on eClass.
E-Class
PDFs of lecture slides, assignment guidelines, links to readings, and announcements will be posted on eClass. If you are absent, it is recommended that you ask a fellow student to share their notes.
Plagiarism and Cheating
The University of Alberta is committed to highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students must be familiar with standards regarding academic honesty and uphold policies of the University. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All students at the University of Alberta are subject to the Code of Student Behaviour, as outlined in the 2015/2016 University Calendar. Students should familiarize themselves with the current version of the code and ensure they do not participate in any inappropriate behaviour as defined by it. Key components of the code specific to this course include the following statements. Plagiarism: 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. Cheating: no student shall represent another’s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the student’s own work. The most recent version of the Code of Student Behaviour can be found on line on the University of Alberta web site.
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.
“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 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.” (GFC 2003)
Professionalism and Classroom Rules of Engagement
• Classes start promptly at 11am.
• Please respect your fellow students, instructor, guest lecturers, and learning environment through demonstrating appropriate behaviour and attitude. Courtesy includes: No use of cell phones during class; taping of lectures with permission only; computers are to be used for note-taking only (not for completing other class assignment, watching Netflix, or as a sleeping aid). No littering – take away your trash!
• You are responsible for the content of missed classes – copy notes from colleagues if you miss a class.
• Cancelled Class: (due to weather, instructor illness etc.) If an assignment is due and class has been cancelled, the assignment is to be submitted to the HECOL office. If the university is closed, the assignment will be due the following day (office).
• Proper citation is necessary in all written assignments. (You must cite your sources and include a proper bibliography). Incorrect notation (print and/or non-print materials) will result in poor or failing grades!
• This course is run as a seminar; its success relies on your participation. Be sure to read your assigned texts before class, as well as afterwards.
• I am available for consultation throughout the term. You are encouraged to bring ideas, problems, and/or work-in-progress for discussion and editing or general help. Some questions can be addressed through email, otherwise, make an appointment to see me.
Marking and Grading
Evaluation and assignment of grades will be based upon the quality of work produced relative to the objectives of the course. Complete descriptions of assignments, assignments including objectives and grading criteria, will be distributed separately on eClass. Evaluation and assignment of grades are based on successful completion of all the components below. You may not pass this course if you have not completed all assignments.
Item Percent
Show-and-tell objects or reading discussion questions,
as specified, due at the beginning of every lecture 10%
Data collection 10%
Personal reflection 10%
Analysis of data 30%
Exhibition proposal 10%
Object selection 10%
Text labels 10%
Mounting and display 10%
There is no final exam.
Guidelines for assignments will be posted on eClass.
Assignments will be graded on clarity of argument, presentation, and effective use of sources.
Marks will be deducted for inadequate editing and referencing, as well as lateness (at 1 mark per day to a maximum of two weeks). Assignments must be handed in at the beginning of the class when they are due. You must make arrangements in case of absence (for acceptable medical or personal reasons) to avoid penalties, as electronic versions by email or eClass are
not accepted. Written work must be in hard copy: typed, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, in Times New Roman font, size 12. Please do not include a title page or presentation folder for your work. Additional assignments for extra credit or an improved grade will not be accepted.
Evaluation of assignments will be expressed in raw marks throughout the term. This course is graded cumulatively: all possible marks add up to 100. Grades will be assigned only to the final distribution of total marks for the full course. Assignment of grades will be based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in this class. The overall performance required to earn various grades can be described as follows:
Excellent:
The student has
demonstrated excellent understanding of course content.
A+ Outstanding: The student has demonstrated an extraordinary grasp of the course content and performance reflects creativity and innovation, in addition to a high level of analytical ability.
A Excellent: The student has demonstrated superior understanding of the course content and a high level of analytical ability.
A- The student has demonstrated superior understanding of the course content, but has not shown the same level of analytical ability as students receiving an A.
Good:
The student has
demonstrated
a sound understanding
of course content.
B+ The student has demonstrated a sound understanding of course material, with superior understanding being evident in some topics.
B The student has demonstrated a uniformly sound understanding of course material.
B- The student has demonstrated a generally sound understanding of course material, but there are some areas in which depth of understanding is limited.
Satisfactory/
Adequate:
The student has
demonstrated awareness of course
content.
C+ The student has demonstrated adequate awareness of course content with sound understanding of some topics.
C The student has demonstrated adequate awareness of all of the central dimensions of the course.
C- The student has demonstrated adequate awareness of most central dimensions of the course, but lacks knowledge of one or two topics.
Poor D+ The student has demonstrated a lack of knowledge in one or more of the central dimensions of the course, and has very superficial understanding of most topics.
Minimal Pass
D The student’s performance is only minimally acceptable due to a lack of understanding of several central dimensions of course content.
Fail F The student has demonstrated a lack of knowledge of most of the course content.
The historical mean for fourth-year Undergraduate courses is a 3.2 GPA (between a B and B+)
Due Dates
Assignments must be handed in at the beginning of the class when they are due. Marks will be deducted for lateness (at 1 mark per day to a maximum of two weeks). marks will be deducted for lateness (at 1 mark per day to a maximum of two weeks). Papers more than 2 weeks late will not be accepted. Extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances, with appropriate documentation; any requests require 48 hours notice before the deadline. Acceptable reasons may include illness or bereavement, and unacceptable reasons include social events, leisure activities, or travel arrangements. You must make arrangements in case of absence (for acceptable medical or personal reasons) to avoid penalties, as electronic versions by email or eClass are not accepted.
The following are important due dates.
January 29 Exhibition proposal
February 10 Data sheets and reflections March 4 Object selection
March 23 Analysis April 1 Text labels April 8 Exhibition opening
Tentative Schedule
Lectures will begin with a review of object-centred approaches to material culture, then progress through all 8 chapters of the textbook in order, culminating in special topic lectures on gender and collecting. Wednesday labs will include discussion and activities related to lecture topics, while Friday labs are reserved for exhibition preparation.
Recording: No voice recording, video recording or photographic activities are permitted during classes, field trips and exams. Recording is permitted only with the prior written consent of the professor or if recording is part of an approved accommodation plan.
Students with Disabilities
Students who require accommodation in this course due to a disability are advised to discuss their needs with Specialized Support & Disability Services (2-800 Students’ Union Building, University of Alberta, North Campus).
Academic Support Center
Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Center (2-300 Students’ Union Building, University of Alberta, North Campus).
Policy about course outlines can be found in §23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
Disclaimer: This Course Outline is subject to change; alterations will be announced in class and posted on eClass.
