World Cultures Using Proper Hum112 Paper

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World Cultures Using Proper Hum112 Paper

Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report
Due Week 9 and worth 100 points

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 112 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 111. For instance, one
might go to the same museum as done for HUM 111, but this HUM 112 report
will focus on entirely different works and displays.

  1. Visit
    a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater, dance, or musical
    performance before the end of Week 9. 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.
    • 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 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 112 class and book. Since HUM 112 covers from 1600 AD
    to the present, it makes more sense to focus on items from this time
    frame. In general, museums with 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 (2 or 3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue
    you and then considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most
    museums 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.
  • Try to do a quality performance that fits the class subject matter well. Sorry—but
    this is not for pop music or rock music, rap, country music, gospel
    music, comedy routines, your kid’s dance recital, your international
    friend’s wedding, high school plays, renaissance fairs, etc. Instead,
    think of college level or professional recitals, string quartets,
    symphony orchestras, opera, jazz, some stage dramas, etc.

  • 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 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 the 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.

Note:
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; citations and references must follow APA
    Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
    (Note: Students can find APA style materials located
    in the Additional Resources section of their Student Center within their
    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 assignment 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