M4, Part 1 Discussion: Religious Objects

Please complete the module readings and activities prior to submitting this discussion assignment.

Please type or copy and paste your work directly into the text box and use the "upload image" function to add any images. Please do not use attachments for this assignment.

Discussion Instructions:

1. As part of this week's readings and activities you chose one of eight objects to examine. You made a list of observations. You then viewed the object through the lens of the first section of Things to Consider When Evaluating an Artifact of the Humanities. You then completed the other module readings and activities. If you have not done these things, please do them now.

2. Examine your object again. Without looking back to your previous list of observations, make another list of observations. This list might end up being the same, different, or overlapping. The purpose here is to see if your observations have changed now that you have more context for the object.

3. Address as many questions from both sections of "Things to Consider" as you can. You don't need to answer all of them if you are not able to do so. There is great value in avoiding unfounded assumptions.

4. Share your results with us -- your observations lists and your answers from "Things to Consider."

5. Consider: Did your understanding of or relationship to the object change between viewings? Discuss.

6. Chapter 16 of our textbook reads, "But it is also important to remember that co-existence and pluralism have been practiced before, encouraged social growth over time, and led to some of the most interesting and inspiring aspects of our human past. Consider these lessons and how they relate to your life as you explore the media and scholarly resources below." Discuss.

7. Reply substantively to at least two other people in the discussion.

Your main discussion post might look something like this:

Identifying Information: Share the name and photo of the object you chose. Bullet Point Lists: Share your observations from both viewings of the object you chose. Paragraph 1: Did your understanding of or relationship to the object change between viewings? Discuss. (5-7 sentences) Paragraph 2: Discussion of quote from textbook, included above in item 6. (5-7 sentences)