Progress Report due Week 14, by 5pm the day before recitation (one document per person, submit via Sakai Dropbox)

Final Assignment due April 30 by 5pm (one document per team, email to your TA)

Use Microsoft Word for all submissions

This assignment, designed in collaboration with the Ackland Museum, is an opportunity for you to educate the broader public about works of American art. In teams, you will be researching select artworks in the Ackland’s collection and generating written content for the museum’s Close Looks web feature.

As a class, we will be producing Close Looks features on six artworks that cohere around the theme of diversity and identity. These artworks are currently on view in the museum’s “Object Lessons” gallery, and we encourage you to see them in person if you feel comfortable. The content you generate, once consolidated and edited, will be featured on the Ackland’s website this summer/fall.

Each recitation will be assigned one work of art. 601: Adam and Eve, 602: Japanese Landscape, 603: Quilt, 604: Sanitation Workers, 605: Dough Bowl, and 606: Wedding Blessing.

Museum work is collaborative by default, so you will be working in small groups within your recitations over the next 3 weeks. Each recitation will focus its efforts on a single artwork.

There are four major components to a Close Looks feature. Each component will have one lead within the team, though you are encouraged to work collaboratively on all sections. Refer to existing Close Looks pages to understand the scope and breadth of content for each section.

  • Audio description – Your team will write a script that will be recorded by the museum. This component does not require research but does require in-person looking (a trip to the museum).
  • What do you see?  – Your team will solicit ONE response from an appropriate member of the community and write ONE response (of a team member). This component does not require research but does require in-person looking (a trip to the museum). Solicited responses should be organized as soon as possible to receive them by week 15. Please check with your TA before you solicit an outside response to avoid conflicts with other teams.
  • What do you think? – Your team will develop 4-5 questions to prompt critical thinking about the artwork. This component will require some research about the artist and historical context of his/her work.
  • Keep exploring – Your team will create a bibliography of web-based resources as well as an “About the Art guide.” This component is research heavy.

Collaborative endeavors must be well organized and well managed. There will be a mid-project checkpoint during Week 14 at which point each individual will submit a progress report. Progress reports should include all drafted content for the section on which you are a “lead” as well as a brief synopsis of your plan moving forward. 1/3 of your grade on this assignment will be based on an assessment of your individual effort as indicated by the progress report. Progress reports should be submitted via Sakai Dropbox by 5pm the day before your recitation in Week 14.

During Week 14, recitation will be devoted to group work on this project, both within and across teams. You are also expected to meet additionally as a team outside of class during all stages of the project.

Each team must submit a Word document containing all Close Looks components by April 30th at 5pm. The content of this document will count as 2/3 of your assignment grade. Designate one team member to email the final assignment to your TA.

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