Need history help with the Cultural Activity Report

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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. Your instructor will require you to propose an activity and
get instructor approval before you do it and report on it (students
should look for any instructions in that respect). Every effort should
be made to ensure that this is a hands-on experience (not a virtual
one), that this activity fits the HUM 111 class well, and that the
activity is of sufficient quality for this university course. The two
(2) key types of activities are a museum visit or a performance. Note:
This must not be a report on the same activity (and certainly not the
same report) as done for another class, like HUM 112. For instance, one
might go to the same museum as done for HUM 112, but this HUM 111 report
will focus on entirely different works and displays.

  1. Visit
    a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musical
    performance before the end of Week 10. The activity (museum or
    performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun
    doing this.
  2. Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.
    • Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.
    • Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).
    • Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.
    • 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.

Note:
Submit your cultural activity choice to the instructor for approval
before the end of Week 5 (earlier is even better). Look for guidance
from the instructor for how or where to make your proposal. You may also
seek advice from your instructor (provide your town/state or zip code)
for a good activity in your general area.

Visiting 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?

Attending a Performance

  • Check
    your local colleges to see if there are any free or low-cost
    performances or student recitals. Student performances are generally of
    almost the same quality as professional performances, but typically cost
    much less. However, performances of high school level or lower will not
    meet this requirement.
  • A performance that is relevant to a HUM
    111 course is more difficult to find than a performance that would be
    relevant to HUM 112 (which covers from 1600 to the present). However,
    our course does cover Shakespeare and Greek tragedy and drama, so any
    performances of those will work. Note: One can sometimes find music performances of music from the Renaissance or Reformation period, or even earlier. 
  • Any
    questions about whether a performance activity fits the course and
    assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the
    student seeks approval for an 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.
  • Unlike
    visiting a museum, where you can wear almost anything, people attending
    performances are often expected to “dress up” a bit.
  • Take a
    pen or pencil with you and accept the program you are offered by the
    usher; you will probably want to take notes on it during or after the
    performance.
  • Turn off your cell phone before entering the
    auditorium. Do not use your phone to record the music or to take
    pictures or videos. To play it safe, turn the phone off.
  • Most
    long musical performances have at least one (1) intermission. If the
    lights start blinking, it is a sign that the performance is about to
    begin.
  • Look for very specific things (such as a particular piece
    of music or the way certain instruments sounded at a specific time)
    which tend to stand out as either enjoyable or not enjoyable. Be sure to
    take notes of the things which you find enjoyable as well as the things
    which are not enjoyable.


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.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

  • Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
  • Examine
    the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and
    socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
  • Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.