11.15.16+and+11.16.16

Small group discussion:

Why do we have museums? What do they “do” for us?
What is lost and gained in the creation of museums that attempt to preserve or represent culture/history? How can the creation of museums be about power?

How can museums create/sustain racial or ethnic stereotypes? How can they perpetuate, or interrupt, single stories?

Group brainstorm: devices and topics found in "Museum Indians" by Susan Power

Work time on Stanza Poem for "Museum Indians"--again, your goal is to illuminate a topic or main idea that Powers is exploring by using a mix of her language and your language. This should be about 10 lines.

Read: "Evolution" by Sherman Alexie https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S4ppTXBqgIfce7HqFlvwCzwjM24u5GS5If9b9PlCJgg/edit?usp=sharing

Discuss: Irony, Buffalo Bill

HW: Finish annotating poem as we didn't fully finish in class, and create a list of topic/main ideas that Power is exploring here. Come to class ready to discuss the poem more next time.

EXTRA CREDIT OPTION: I rarely offer extra credit, but when something exists in our community that might further our understanding of subject matter, I might. Here's one such opportunity:  Every Friday, the Portland Art Museum has 5$ entry after 5PM and people under 18 years of age are free. If you are 14 or under, you need to go with an adult. The museum has multiple exhibits showing Native American art.

To earn full credit (up to five points), you must attend the exhibits that showcase the various Native American nations around the US, and the section on Contemporary Native American art. Take some notes about the similarities and differences you notice about the different regions, the inclusion of contemporary art, and any pieces that stand out to you.

Next, you need to write a 1.5-2 page (typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font) response to the following questions:

1) In light of our discussions around museums, the perception of Native Americans as "extinct," and cultural appropriation/costumes/mascots, how did the exhibits reflect the subjects we've covered in class?

2) What did you notice about the captions connected to the art pieces? Did they provide context? Did you have any questions? Did they talk back to or reinforce single stories?

3) What did you think about the use of contemporary art in the exhibit? What do you think the artists were trying to communicate to their viewers?

Full credit will be awarded to students who answer all questions thoughtfully and demonstrate formal writing skills. Turning in the extra credit write-up does not guarantee full credit; the substance of the writing and reflection does.

If you have any concerns about funding, come and talk to me, or email me and we can figure out a solution.  If you are planning on completing this extra credit assignment, it needs to get to me before the start of Lincoln's Winter Break. I will not take extra credit assignment after that date.