Telling New Stories With Objects

How can museums tell more inclusive histories through the objects in their collections? In this course, we explore how objects can illuminate the lives of people often left out of the archive or historical record. From clothing and accessories to food and toys, objects—and the institutions that collect them—provide a material record of how political, economic, and social events shaped the lives of ordinary people. By examining how objects were made, used, and collected, we explore how they open up possibilities for interpreting familiar subjects in new ways and developing exhibitions and programs that are inclusive and accessible to all. This course uses the varied collections across Harvard University to practice methods for analyzing objects, developing strategies for interpretation, and envisioning ways to incorporate them into exhibitions and programs. Prior to our on-campus weekend, we read key works of scholarship on the theories and methods of material culture, the history of museums, and interpretation strategies. Course activities include visits to Harvard's museums and libraries, including the Harvard Art Museums, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Course activities include object-based analysis, gallery tours, small group workshops, and group discussions. The final assignment invites students to propose how they might interpret objects at Harvard and beyond by drawing on the interdisciplinary methods we practice together.