- An undergraduate course
in
Arts and Humanities.
Making sense of things: an introduction to material culture
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | A151 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
This course is designed to follow our key introductory Level 1 course, The arts past and present (AA100), which you are strongly advised to study first. It introduces you to the study of objects, or material culture, in both the past and present from a variety of different perspectives. These include heritage studies, art history, classical studies, history, philosophy and religious studies. Making sense of things will prepare you for Level 2 study, giving you opportunities to develop a range of critical and analytical skills within the context of this exciting new subject.
Register for the course
What you will study
The first week introduces you to the study of material culture. You will look at why objects are studied in humanities, as well being introduced to some basic approaches to the subject. During this week you will also make your first contact with your tutor and other students via online forums.
Most of the teaching, as throughout the rest of the course, is by case studies, both online and in a printed Study Companion. The text-based materials are also accompanied throughout by audio-visual material.
The rest of the course is presented in three books, each covering four weeks of study, and separated by assessment weeks. At the end of Book 2, there is a week of group work, mainly online, in which you will carry out research and work with fellow students towards a tutor-marked assignment (TMA). You will be expected to study for about fifteen hours a week.
Book 1: Approaches
The first book emphasises key skills applicable across the humanities, and key concepts which you will apply through the course. You will explore the origins of the ‘idea’ of material culture and approaches to describing, classifying and interpreting objects, drawing on the disciplines of archaeology, history, anthropology and ancient history. The first chapter introduces the key concepts of ‘object biography’ and the ‘life cycle of things’, by considering how late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century museums attempted to order and classify objects from across time and space. Chapter Two develops skills of close observation and description, considering different ways of writing about objects. Chapter Three broadens out to consider ways in which the historic, social and physical (or archaeological) context of objects can aid in interpreting them, focusing on the House of Menander at Pompeii as a case study. The final chapter focuses on classification, with reference to the study of ancient Athenian vases.
Book 2: Contexts
The second book emphasises the critical significance which an understanding of material culture has played in our developing understanding of history. You will look at the way scholars have used the study of objects and their contexts to shed light on a specific period of European history, from about 1200 to 1700. In particular, the focus is on the place of objects in the wider culture of the age and how they illuminate our understanding of religious and intellectual developments during the Reformation and Renaissance. In the first two chapters, you will study the central role that sacred objects played in the everyday lives of Europe’s Catholic population and the extreme reaction to them in Protestant circles, culminating in the mass destruction of much of the material culture of the medieval past during the Reformation. In the final two chapters, you will examine how technical developments in creating objects encouraged new ways of thinking about and understanding the world. This will be through case studies concerned with the origins of the printed book and the preparation of anatomical specimens.
Book 3: Afterlives
The unifying theme of the final book is the afterlives of objects, by which we mean what happens to objects when they acquire new uses or meanings. You will examine what happens to objects when they move from one social and historical context to another, and therefore the changes in the way these objects are understood. You will explore specific questions of power, ‘commodification’, memory and ownership and more general questions of change and transformation. Chapters One and Two examine religious and secular ‘relics’ and their contagious power; what happens when religious objects are transformed by global tourism; and whether tourism diminishes the ‘sacredness’ or ‘authenticity’ of such objects. Chapter Three explores issues of memory and absence with reference to Holocaust museums. In Chapter Four you will consider philosophical issues surrounding the ownership and display of objects. In particular, moral issues that arise in relation to objects removed from their place of origin, and in relation to bodies and parts of bodies collected by museums.
Entry
Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to modules at Level 2.
As this course builds on the skills and knowledge developed through the study of The arts past and present (AA100), we strongly advise you to study AA100 first.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
We strongly recommend that you study The arts past and present (AA100) before registering for Making sense of things, as it builds on the skills and knowledge gained from studying that course.
However, if you have successfully completed one of our previous introductory Level 1 courses in arts and humanities – such as A103 (now discontinued) – this may be suitable preparation for you to study this course.
Our Moving on to A151 website highlights key sections of the course and will help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge and skills to study this course.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
One of the learning outcomes of the course is to enable you to develop your skills of independent observation and analysis of particular objects found throughout the study materials. Students whose disability or additional requirement means they are unable to do this are likely to experience difficulty in achieving this learning outcome. Blind students who once had useful sight may be able to draw upon this experience. All images used in this course are available in electronic format and can be magnified within the limits of standard computer applications. Textual descriptions will also be available but using these could conflict with the required learning outcome. Students who are concerned about their ability to meet the learning outcomes are encouraged to contact the Student Registration & Enquiry Service for advice before registering for this course. Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
Elements of the course are delivered through a website and include the use of online forums for group working. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet and have concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you have concerns about taking this course or the support that you would have, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for advice.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVD videos, website.
You will need
A DVD video player.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
- If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
- If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your assignments, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of group tutorials (in a local study centre and online) and any day schools that might be arranged in your area.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in April 2014 when it will be available for the last time. From October 2014 Voices and texts (A150) and Making sense of things: an introduction to material culture (A151) are being merged into one 60-credit course Voices, texts and material culture (A105).
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“A151 was my second OU module (after AA100) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took me a while to understand ...”
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“A151 has been my favourite module by far since I started. The subjects covered were engaging and a great tutor ...”
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Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | A151 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
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