Material Culture

Historian Jules Prown defines material culture as “the study through artifacts of the beliefs — values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions — of a particular community or society at a given time.” Using material culture can be a powerful way to bring history to life, to awaken interest in exploring the past, and to discover connections between the past and the present. Material culture can illuminate nuances of social, political, and cultural history, tell untold stories, and offer insights into the experience of ordinary people whose lives are not otherwise documented.

Using material culture, with or without standard (written) primary-source documents offers an exciting new window into the past.

For this assignment I want you to watch the following video:

https://fb.watch/av2_Vrudl0/

 (Links to an external site.)

Second, I want you to observe and write down everything you see regarding the object for three minutes: http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_438732

 (Links to an external site.)

.  Time yourself.  Then free-write your interpretations of your observations for another three minutes.  What do you think the object meant to Andrew Jackson?  What do you think it was used for?  How do you think others who encountered Jackson interpreted this object?

 Andrew Jackson Sword

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_438732

 (Links to an external site.)

, Accessed 6/11/2015

The assessment addresses the Course Learning Outcome(s):

1. Discuss the historical development of pre-civil war America, including the key political, social, cultural, artistic and economic forces that shaped the nation.
2. Discuss varying interpretations of institutions, people, practices, and events throughout this period, including ethics and motivations.
3. Relate the events, ideas, and people of pre-civil war America with present societal conditions.
4. Employ appropriate research methodologies to study major topics in US History and to produce clear, well-organized and accurate term papers and journal critiques to communicate knowledge of US History, according to AHA standards.