Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report Due Week 10 141616 ✓ Solved

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. The two key types of activities are a museum visit or a performance.

Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musical performance before the end of Week 10. The activity should have content that fits our course well. Write a two to three (2-3) page report (words) describing your experience. Clearly identify the event location, date attended, attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving. Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (art, exhibits, music, etc.). Summarize the event and describe your overall reaction after attending. Use the class text as a reference (additional sources are fine).

Include connections between observations at the activity and concepts learned in the course and text. If visiting a museum, research available exhibitions and focus on items from the period covered in HUM 111 (ancient times to 1500s AD). Prefer museums with artistic and cultural artifacts over history museums. For performances, target those relevant to HUM 111, such as Shakespeare, Greek tragedy, or Renaissance music. All activities must be approved by the instructor beforehand.

While attending, take notes; accept and retain any handouts or pamphlets. Focus on a few pieces that intrigue you, contemplating them at leisure. Consider questions like which pieces you would save from a fire and why. Dress appropriately for performances, turn off your phone, and avoid recording or photographing. During long performances, note aspects that are enjoyable or not, including specific music pieces or instrument sounds.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Title: Exploring Cultural Heritage: A Visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

On Saturday, March 25th, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, an institution renowned for its extensive art collections spanning from ancient civilizations to the 19th century. The museum is located on 5th Avenue, and I attended with two friends who share an interest in history and art. Upon arriving, I felt a sense of anticipation, aware that I was about to immerse myself in pieces that embody human creativity across millennia.

Our first stop was the Egyptian Art exhibit, which featured sculptures, jewelry, and mummies. The intricate hieroglyphics on the artifacts fascinated me, especially a well-preserved sarcophagus dating from 1000 BCE. I was struck by how ancient Egyptian art served both religious and funerary purposes, designed to honor the gods and ensure a safe passage to the afterlife. Next, I visited the European paintings, where works by Rembrandt and Vermeer caught my attention. One particular piece, Vermeer’s "Girl with a Pearl Earring," stood out due to its mastery of light and the intriguing gaze of the subject.

The museum's organization allowed me to appreciate the cultural and historical contexts of each piece. I learned that Egyptian art's emphasis on symbolism reflected their beliefs in the afterlife, aligning with themes from my course about the importance of religion in early civilizations. Similarly, European art from the Renaissance period illustrated advancements in realism and perspective, representative of humanist ideals emphasized in our texts.

Reflecting on the entire experience, I felt a profound connection to the continuity of human expression across ages. The artifacts and artworks serve as windows into the values, beliefs, and aesthetics of different cultures. My initial fascination grew into an appreciation for the skill and purpose behind these works, deepening my understanding of humanities' role in shaping societies. The museum visit provided a tangible link to our course material, illustrating how art functions as both a reflection and a catalyst of cultural identity.

In conclusion, this activity bridged classroom learning with real-world experience, enriching my grasp of ancient civilizations and artistic development. It demonstrated the importance of preserving cultural heritage and understanding the diverse forms of human expression. Visiting the museum not only supplemented my textual studies but also inspired a greater curiosity to explore other cultural artifacts and their stories.

References

• Barol saysh, J. (2014). The History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press.
• Gombrich, E. H. (1995). The Story of Art. Phaidon Press.
• Pollock, S. (2010). The Cultural Role of Art in Human Societies. Journal of Cultural Studies, 15(2), 123-137.
• Burke, P. (2008). The History of Art in Context. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Hall, S. (2011). The Renaissance: Art and Society. Cambridge University Press.