History 630: American Decorative Arts

Syllabus subject to change, notice will be given.

Contact Information:

Dr. Brian Hackett

Office:

Office hours:

Office phone:

E-mail:

Cell:

Course Description:

This course is designed as a basic introduction to period American decorative arts, including furniture, ceramics, textiles, glass and general antiques, for the students wishing to work in the museum or some other related public history field. The purpose is to give students a good understanding of styles, materials and time periods of American antiques to help them identify objects for study, collecting and educational use. This course is a combination of readings, lecture and hands on experiential learning that will enhance the following skills:

  • Analyzing historical objects and interpretations.
  • Critically comparisons of political, geographic, economic, social, cultural, religious and intellectual institutions, structures, across a range of historical periods as they relate to material culture.
  • Drawing on a historical perspective to evaluate contemporary problems/issues as related to material culture.
  • Examining the contributions of past cultures/societies to the contemporary world.
  • Communicate research findings effectively.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students successfully completing this course will demonstrate:

I. Knowledge Gained by:

  • Acquiring, synthesizing, and analyzing a sufficient volume of content to master the individual program of study designed by the professor. (Assessment: Weekly discussions and postings, oral and written artifact report, final exam)

II. Acquisition of Intellectual and Practical Skills by:

  • Displaying a significant capacity for critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis as they evaluate, compare and critique the work of others. Also ability to identify important elements of material culture. (Assessment: Weekly discussions and postings, oral and written artifact report, final exam.)
  • Exhibiting precision and clarity in reading, written and oral communication. (Assessment: Weekly discussions and postings, artifact report, final exam)
  • Showing accomplished levels of research and information literacy skills used effectively and ethically. (Weekly discussions and postings, artifact report, final exam)
  • Engaging members of the public in a meaningful manner. (Assessment: Oral presentations, field trips)

III. Demonstrate a Capacity for Learning by:

  • Creating written work that unites concepts and practices across multiple levels, disciplines, and settings as they identify the scope and format of their final project. (Assessment:Weekly discussions and postings, oral and written artifact report, final exam.)
  • Applying discipline based knowledge, skills, and abilities to project development taking in account audience, resources and amount of time available. (Assessment: Blackboard Postings, Oral Presentations)

Field Trips:

In order to give the students a better understanding of the items we will be discussing in class, a number of field trips will be arranged to visit museums and antique shops. Although these field trips are not mandatory, they are extremely important for the understanding of the material, and therefore students are strongly encouraged to attend.

Required books:

Butler, James T., Field Guide to American Antique Furniture, New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1986 (or newer) ISBN: 0-8050-0124-7

Krill, Rosemary Troy, Early American Decorative Arts, 1620-1860: A Handbook for Interpreters, New York: AltaMira Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-7591-1945-1 (paperback edition)

Additional readings will be assigned in class. Some readings will be in closed reserve at the Steele Library.

Assignments and Exams

Weekly Vocabulary Words

This is an ungraded assignment based on the lectures and the readings. It can be worked on as a group, which will make it more fun.

Object Paper and Oral Presentation:

Students will select an object (antique) and prepare both a written and oral report on the object. Things that should be covered in the work should include origin and identification of the object, its use and value in the antique market place. Also included should be a discussion or the time period, style the object reflects

Style Paper:

This assignment will be discussed in class.

Reflective Essay:

Students will evaluate the class and its content as well as their role in the course. Details to be discussed in class.

Final Exam:

The final exam for this class will be held at the home of the professor. Students will arrive and be given the test. The test will be approximately 75 questions. Students will be asked to answer questions related to a number of artifacts in my personal collection. Students may be asked to identify maker, style, period, material, use, date, and so on. Students will have approximately two hours to complete the exam, after which we will have an after the exam party.

Things I do to make the class more interesting:

Stump the Prof, and or the students, Gold Coin at least weekly sometimes more often award:

Time to time I will bring in an artifact or a picture of an artifact and who whomever can identify it first get a gold coin. (Not a real gold coin, a Sacajawea dollar or chocolate money. If you wanted a real gold coin you should have gone to a real school like Yale or Harvard, but then it would have come out of your lab fees or your tuition anyway.) Students are invited to bring in items to stump me, and if I am stumped, you also win a coin.

Decorative Arts Jeopardy

In order to help you study for the exam, we will have a game show were students will be asked to identify or answer questions about objects in pictures I will show. Students will compete for fabulous prizes! (Items are whatever is on sale at the dollar store. Past winners have received toilet paper, coffee mugs, a laurel and hardy hand shake, and handi-wipes. Rethinking that Harvard choice now aren’t you?)

Course Policies: My goal is to keep a healthy learning environment. Here is what you can do to help.

  • Be on time for class.
  • Attend Regularly!
  • Show respect for you classmates and your professor by:
  • Not using your cell phone
  • Not reading items for other classes during class
  • Sleeping or talking in class
  • Not eating in class unless approved by me, or you bring us all some.
  • Assignment deadlines are set in stone. You will be penalized one letter grade for every day that an assignment is late, unless I have approved your excuse.
  • Laptops can be used in class to take notes, however persons using laptops will be asked to sit in the front row of the class.
  • Plagiarism is a very serious matter at this University. If anyone is caught plagiarizing the assignment will not be accepted and student will receive an F on the assignment. If the student is found guilty a second time in this class, the incident will be reported to the administration and the student will be expelled from the University. Plagiarizing is defined as the copying of the work of others and passing it off as your own work. This includes paraphrasing the work of others without giving due credit. If in doubt, ask me.

Students with special needs:

If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation,
or if you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note
takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. You may
also contact the Office of Disabled Student Services 859-572-6373 with
questions about such services. (By the way, an occasional brain fart or senior moment by the professor or anyone else does not qualify as a disability.)

Course Calendar: TBD