HIST 7200 - Beyond Antiques: Artifacts and History

3 cr.

American material culture - personal and domestic artifacts, buildings and historic landscapes can tell us much about life in the past. Through a combination of readings, object studies and field trips, students survey different modes of investigation: social and cultural history, history of technology, cultural geography, historical archaeology, folk-life studies, art history and decorative arts studies. The seminar tests the applicability of these disciplines, methods, and theories to specific spheres of activity and thought, including community, class, work, house and household, clothing, dining, landscape and play.