Assignment #1 WATCH NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (the original, not #2)
“Night at the Museum is a 2006 American adventure comedy film based on the 1993 children's book with the same name by Milan Trenc. It follows a divorced father trying to settle down, impress his son, and find his destiny. He applies for a job as a night watchman at New York City's American Museum of Natural History and subsequently discovers that the exhibits, animated by a magical Egyptian artifact, come to life at night.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_at_the_Museum)
The movie is available from Netflicks, libraries, and local video rental stores. We will use the film for class discussion about perceptions about the value of museums, stereotypes of museum professionals, and other themes. Keep in mind the YouTube video by Mimi and Kim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaFbmuEUdwI) and the issues that are raised in that video when answering the questions.
Night at the Museum Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of the very obvious stereotypes about museums in the film?
2. What staff members are evident in the film, and what is their role in the Museum?
3. What inaccuracies do you notice (examples: things in the wrong time or place)?
4. Where are issues of gender and race evident in the film?
5. Though it changes by the end, what is the nature of this museum in its relationship to community?
6. People seem to have fantasies about staying overnight in a museum (think Lisa Simpson and others as well as this film). Why?
7. What other observations would you make about the film?
8. Does this film help or harm museums? Why?
Be prepared to discuss these questions in class and have a 2-3-page essay addressing the questions. DUE September 16, 2009
Download the assignment here:
Assignment #2 Virtual Museum Visit
1. Choose a museum and visit virtually. Make sure that the museum you choose has a mission statement (either posted on their website or available if you contact the museum director). Explore their activities, programs, collections, and displays to see how they meet their mission.
2. Choose a museum (online) that meets each of the following criteria. You will be asked to explain your rationale with supporting evidence from the class readings and the museum wesbite.
- A museum you think provides the greatest benefit to its community
- A museum you think should not exist
- A museum you find inspiring
- A museum you find bizarre
- A museum in which you would most like to work.
Be prepared to discuss these questions in class. DUE September 23, 2009
Assignment #3 Museum Worksheet
Fill in the blanks and then hand it back to me in class DUE October 7, 2009
Assignment: Annotated Bibliography
Assignment: Project Proposal
Annotated Bibliography Assignment.doc
Assignment: The Great Debate
Research Project Assignment.doc
Home | Weekly Schedule | Assignments | Grading | Readings
