Editor's note: This is part of an occasional series in
which reporters drop in on interesting classes throughout
the university's eight academic divisions. Suggestions are
welcome at
gazette@jhu.edu.
The course: Offered by the Museums and Society
Program and the
Department
of History of Science and Technology, both in the
Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. The semester's work
for the 10 students is worth 3 credits and includes a
unique hands-on experience: Their course work will
culminate in an exhibition titled Feathers, Fins and
Fur: The Pet in Early Maryland, which will open to the
public on Jan. 4 at Homewood House
Museum. The course represents the essence of the newly
created interdisciplinary Museums and Society Program,
which offers undergraduates significant opportunities to
establish meaningful connections with local and regional
museums.
Meeting time: Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m.
to noon, fall 2006.
The instructors: Jointly teaching the course are
Catherine Rogers Arthur, curator of Homewood House, and
Stuart "Bill" Leslie, a professor in the Department of
History of Science and Technology. Arthur holds a master's
degree in early American culture from the University of
Delaware Winterthur Program and is co-author of Homewood
House (JHU Press, 2004). Leslie, who specializes in the
history of technology, history of science-based industry
and regional economic geography, also earned his degree
from the University of Delaware, a doctorate through its
Hagley Program in industrial history. His current book
project, "We Can't Make It Here Anymore: A Road Trip
Through Deindustrial America," includes industrial museums
as important stops on its itinerary.
Syllabus and course work: Dogs, cats, birds, fish
and even potbellied pigs are pampered members of the
21st-century American family. But exactly when did we first
invite them into our homes? Back when the Homewood campus
was a homestead, what animals were properly kept as pets?
Where was the line drawn between companion animals and
livestock? Did 19th-century pets have responsibilities like
catching mice to earn their keep? This course seeks to
answer all those questions and more.
Homewood House provides the framework for introducing
students to the concepts and ideology of material culture
studies, or "reading" objects. The class is learning the
practical application of these methods by researching
original late-18th- and early-19th-century sources for
evidence of the nonhuman family members and livestock that
were part of the scenery, especially as they relate to
Homewood, the 1801 country house of the Carroll family.
Students gather in the historic house's quaint wine
cellar, where they sit side by side with their teachers
around a table decked with checked gingham cloths — a
pleasant change of pace from the typical academic
classroom's chair/desk combo. Thursday classes are devoted
to lecture, discussion and brainstorming. Instead of
assigned readings, students are asked to spend two hours
each week actively engaged in original research using
primary sources so they will become experts in their
topics. Friday classes are for research, exhibition
planning, object and image selection, and field trips,
including a recent visit to what is believed to be Charles
Carroll's hunting lodge. However, the overarching
assignment for students is to produce the exhibition, the
object labels and the catalog.
Catherine Rogers Arthur says: "Changing exhibitions
have been a priority over the past 10 years. Exhibitions
help us to attract visitors, generate publicity and allow
us to provide content footnotes to the primary story of the
house and the people who lived here. More importantly, the
exhibitions expand our knowledge of early-19th-century
local history and keep us actively engaged in research, in
keeping with the research mission of the university. With
this class, I now have 10 research assistants, and the
investigation and production of an exhibition have become
tools for teaching. It is exciting work with the students,
and I eagerly anticipate each class to hear about their
research finds and their creative ideas for installation
and interpretation."
Bill Leslie says: "I'm strictly an enthusiastic
amateur when it comes to museums. For me, the course is an
opportunity to see the museum from the inside out, to learn
firsthand what it takes to research and mount an exhibit.
I've learned a great deal already, from Catherine and from
the students. Indeed, the class has inspired me to teach a
new course on science and technology museums, where I know
more about the subject."
A student says: "I'm a senior in the class and very
much enjoying it. I first chose it because it is
cross-listed with
Women, Gender and Sexuality, which is my minor. I'm an
art history major, so the idea of putting on our own
exhibit was especially interesting to me, and the fact that
I love pets was just an added perk. Bill and Catherine are
wonderful and enthusiastic professors who are creative in
their exploration of the subject matter and presentation to
us, as a class. The fact that we are researching and
discovering alongside our professors is unusual and keeps
me truly engaged and attentive. Catherine especially is
invested in this project as it reflects very heavily on
her, and her trust in us as key players in the exhibit's
execution is truly gratifying.
We are also presented with such unique opportunities
to visit private homes, collections, behind-the-scenes
tours, etc., that our research ends up being just as fun as
our presentation to the class and brainstorming sessions.
Catherine and Bill seem truly excited to be participating
in such a unique class, and their interest in our
educational growth extends beyond the scope of this course
and exhibit. They regularly present us with opportunities
to further explore Baltimore culture for our own enjoyment
and intellectual curiosity. I'm having a wonderful time in
this course and can't wait to have a finished product to
show everyone that the 'pets class' isn't a joke just
because it's fun."
— Laura Lee Carrihill, a pre-med senior with a
major in art history and a minor in Women, Gender and
Sexuality, Manhasset, N.Y.