SUMR 206 Material Culture Studies

Technology, Analysis, and Interpretation is a course about objects and artifacts, specifically how we can learn about ourselves (as individuals, communities, and a species) through the things that we make, use, and discard. It is positioned at the intersection of natural science (provenience, dating, manufacturing technology, conservation science), social science (material culture studies, social analysis, heritage studies), and the humanities (curation, interpretation, meaning), casting a wide net to provide multiple entry points for students coming from different disciplinary backgrounds. The course emphasizes the connection between science and social context: for example, how understanding the chemistry of vitreous materials helps us appreciate their symbolic and functional importance to ancient societies and in the present day.

Cross Listed Courses

ANTH 206 & SUMR 206