HST-369 American Objects: Materials, Meaning, and History
Explores American history through material objects - from colonial silver teapots to 1960s lava lamps. Students will investigate an object's purpose, how it was made and who made it, and interpret the object's cultural meanings for American history. Topics covered will include the decorative arts, vernacular architecture, archaeology, industrial design, ethnicity and gender, visual culture, and landscapes. Lectures and discussions will be complemented with visits to museums, historic houses, and other sites. Students will learn how to research and write about material cultures, placing objects or spaces in their historical context.