Smithsonian Virtual Museum

Week 10 Assignment 3 – Submit Here

Students, please view the “Submit a Clickable Rubric
Assignment” in the Student Center.
Instructors, training on how to grade is within the
Instructor Center.

Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report

Due Week 10 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
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.

· 

o 
Clearly identify the
event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon
arriving at the event.

o 
Provide specific
information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).

o 
Provide a summary of the event
and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.

o  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.

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 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.