Long musical performances

As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom,  computer, and textbook, you are asked to do a certain type of “cultural  activity” that fits well with our course and then report on your  experience. Your instructor will require you to propose an activity and  get instructor approval before you do it and report on it (students  should look for any instructions in that respect). Every effort should  be made to ensure that this is a hands-on experience (not a virtual  one), that this activity fits the HUM 111 class well, and that the  activity is of sufficient quality for this university course. The two  (2) key types of activities are a museum visit or a performance. Note:  This must not be a report on the same activity (and certainly not the  same report) as done for another class, like HUM 112. For instance, one  might go to the same museum as done for HUM 112, but this HUM 111 report  will focus on entirely different works and displays.

1. Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musical  performance before the end of Week 9. The activity (museum or  performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun  doing this.
2. Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.

• • Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.
  • Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).
  • Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.
  • Use at least the class text as a reference (additional sources are  fine, not necessary unless required by your content). Your report should  include connections you make between things observed in your activity  and things learned in the course and text.

Note: Submit your cultural activity choice to the  instructor for approval before the end of Week 5 (earlier is even  better). Look for guidance from the instructor for how or where to make  your proposal. You may also seek advice from your instructor (provide  your town/state or zip code) for a good activity in your general area.

Visiting a Museum

• It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler  approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what there is  available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are  currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest  you.
• If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see  it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at  other things in the museum.
• Every effort should be made ahead of time to identify a museum that  has items and works one can easily connect to our HUM 111 class and  book. Since HUM 111 covers from ancient times to the 1500s AD, it makes  more sense to focus on items from that time frame. In general, museums  with artistic cultural artifacts and fine arts work better than history  museums.
• Any questions about whether a museum-visit activity fits the course  and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the  student seeks approval for the activity. Any alternative activity  outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by  disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Generally,  we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved  activity.
• Take notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or  pamphlets that the museum staff gives you. While you should not quote  anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts  may help to refresh your memory later.
• The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time  you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you  actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding two  (2) or three (3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue you and then  considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most museums even  have benches where you can sit and study a particular piece.
• If you are having a difficult time deciding which pieces to write  about, ask yourself these questions: (1) If the museum you are visiting  suddenly caught fire, which two (2) pieces of art or exhibits would you  most want to see saved from the fire? (2) Why would you choose those two  (2) particular pieces?

Attending a Performance

• Check your local colleges to see if there are any free or low-cost  performances or student recitals. Student performances are generally of  almost the same quality as professional performances, but typically cost  much less. However, performances of high school level or lower will not  meet this requirement.
• A performance that is relevant to a HUM 111 course is more difficult  to find than a performance that would be relevant to HUM 112 (which  covers from 1600 to the present). However, our course does cover  Shakespeare and Greek tragedy and drama, so any performances of those  will work. Note: One can sometimes find music performances of music from the Renaissance or Reformation period, or even earlier.
• Any questions about whether a performance activity fits the course  and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the  student seeks approval for an activity. Any alternative activity outside  the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or  distance, will be determined by the instructor. Generally, we do not  expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.
• Unlike visiting a museum, where you can wear almost anything, people  attending performances are often expected to “dress up” a bit.
• Take a pen or pencil with you and accept the program you are offered  by the usher; you will probably want to take notes on it during or  after the performance.
• Turn off your cell phone before entering the auditorium. Do not use  your phone to record the music or to take pictures or videos. To play it  safe, turn the phone off.
• Most long musical performances have at least one (1) intermission.  If the lights start blinking, it is a sign that the performance is about  to begin.
• Look for very specific things (such as a particular piece  of music or the way certain instruments sounded at a specific time)  which tend to stand out as either enjoyable or not enjoyable. Be sure to  take notes of the things which you find enjoyable as well as the things  which are not enjoyable