An essay about an artifact in Philadelphia

Late submissions are graded at 50%

THE PROMPT: Select an artifact or work of art in a museum. The artifact must be different than your choice for PEX #1 and must have a significant relationship with Philadelphia’s creative cultures. It should be unfamiliar to you and not coverered in this course. Visit and deeply experience your artifact. Collect information from observation, research and reflection. Digest what you’ve learned and produce a report in essay form for PEX  REPORT #2 presented in four clearly identified sections. 

Recommended length: 3.5 to 5 pages. 

Observation. Approach your artifact like a detective. Develop an outline for a detailed description of the object and its setting. Help your reader visualize the object in detail. Avoid assumptions. This section requires close direct experience, not research. Include at least four observations. 

Context. An outline of the facts: actual & historical. Approach your artifact as a researcher and develop an outline about the who, what where, when and why. Consult reliable, authoritative sources (books, articles, websites, interviews, etc.) to enable you to judge what is relevant, interesting and essential to know. Include at least four contextual facts.  

Analysis.  An outline on the cultural significance of your artifact. This is the culmination of your PEX Report and can only be completed after the other observation and context sections are done. Interpret meaning, infer expression and suggest why the artifact is the way it is and what it reveals. Include at least three points of cultural significance. 

Bibliography.  Developing and using a good bibliography will help you achieve otherwise unattainable clarity and depth in your PEX Reports. A list of at least FOUR substantial, relevant, reliable and varied sources: books, encyclopedias (hard copy and/or online), scholarly articles, exhibition catalogues, robust museum websites, etc. Wikipedia, tourism websites, many news stories and most online dictionaries and are not considered substantial or reliable. Class lectures are not acceptable.  Include at least FOUR bibliographical sources. 

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NOTE ABOUT YOUR CHOICE OF ARTIFACTS: AVOID THOSE THAT ARE OVEREXPOSED AND OVERLY COMPLEX. IF YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN YOU’VE MADE A GOOD CHOICE, ASK. (EMAIL OR A VISIT DURING OFFICE HOURS.)  OBJECTS AND SITES OFF LIMITS  INCLUDE THOSE WE COVER IN CLASS (OR WILL COVER) PLUS THE ROCKY STATUE; THE LOVE STATUE; MURALS BY THE MURAL ARTS PROGRAM; PHILADELPHIA’S MAGIC GARDENS; INDEPENDENCE HALL; AND THE LIBERTY BELL. ... REMEMBER: YOUR ARTIFACTS MUST BE NEW TO YOU. ... WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK.