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AMS 302b: The Material Culture of New England, 1630-1860
- Instructor:
- Kenneth Hafertepe, Historic Deerfield, Inc.
- Description
-
The Material Culture of New England, 1630- 1860 is a seminar which deals with the
interpretation of objects as historical evidence and as cultural expressions. We will
examine a variety of objects made and/or used in New England from the earliest
settlements to the Civil War. These will include historic landscapes, architecture,
furniture, textiles, foodways, and domestic environments to see how they can give us a
fuller picture of life and art in earlier times. We will explore the meaning of individual
objects and groups of objects from several perspectives, utilizing the disciplines of
history, art and architectural history, and archaeology. Issues of special interest are
the relationship of artifacts to ideas, and the degree to which objects play a significant
role in the rituals of daily life.
There will be two short analytical papers (an objective study and a probate inventory analysis) and a final class seminar paper. There will be no written examinations. Understanding of the reading assignments, as demonstrated in class, discussions, in occasional presentations, and in the three written assignments, will be a significant factor in grading. The final grade will be based on the following criteria: object study 20%, probate inventory analysis 20%, class discussion 20%, and the final paper 40%.
4 credits - Texts
- Syllabus and Required Readings
- Optional Readings
- Syllabus and Required Readings