HMUS 530 - American Material Culture: Gender-Taste-Space 3 s.h.

Personal identity is embodied in and through material culture. This course focuses on the importance of gender and sexuality in the history of American material life, and the intersections among class, race, ethnicity, religion, and gender in relationship to physical things. Students are introduced to the decorative arts canon, but core readings and class discussions extend both the types of goods and the cultural perspectives covered. There is an emphasis on understanding material manifestations of masculinity and femininity as well as challenges to heteronormative ideals. Students complete a final research project related to American material life. Elective.
Prerequisite(s): GrS. Permission of the instructor and the director is required for students not enrolled in CGP.