Humanities 111 Final Assignment

Assignment 3: Cultural Activity
Report

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 HUM111 class well, and that the activity is of sufficient quality for this
university course. The two 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 HUM112.  For
instance, one might go to the same museum as done for HUM112, but this HUM111
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 HUM111
  class and book.  Since HUM111 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. Normally we do not
  expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved
  activity.
• Make 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 or three 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 HUM111
  course is more difficult to find than a performance that would be relevant to
  HUM112 (which covers from 1600 to the present).  But, our course does cover
  Shakespeare and Greek tragedy and drama, so any performances of those will work.
  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. Normally 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 make 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 make notes of the things which you find enjoyable as well
  as the things which are not enjoyable. 

If a student is unable to attend a
cultural event in person due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, then
the instructor will recommend an alternate event/activity for the student to
“attend” online. The “virtual” event/activity is usually only for students who,
due to their physical location, cannot possibly attend an event/activity in
person; typically, these students are stationed overseas or have no means of
transportation. Experience shows most museums and activities are modest in cost
and manageable for students, and you will often see students from other
universities there on similar course projects. If you are facing financial
hardship, keep in mind that many museums have a free day each week and
performance discounts are often available for students and veterans, among
others. Feel free to ask your instructor to help with finding low-cost options.
If you believe that you have a legitimate reason for attending a “virtual”
activity, you must contact the
instructor no later than Week 5
for your request to be considered. 

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 tile 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.