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Greek Art and Architecture
Art History 220/620
Classical Studies 220
AAMW 620

Research Paper

Go to the Rodney S. Young Gallery, The Ancient Greek World, in the Mediterranean Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and select three objects that are of interest to you. You may choose any objects you wish but keep in mind that each should be something that you can pursue some detailed research about. You may choose a decorated vase, a piece of sculpture, a coin, a terracotta, a bronze or a piece of jewelry.

Send me an email with your three objects in the order in which you would like to work on them. Include the following information about each object:

- Name of the piece
- Inventory number
- Date
- Brief description
- Why you would want to research this object

I will email you back the name and number of the object that you can work on.

The research paper should be 10-15 pages in length including drawings, illustrations and photographs. The research paper must include footnotes that should go at the foot of each page. Your paper must also include a full bibliography. The following are the topics to be considered by you.

1. Detailed description of the object, including discussion of shape, size, decoration and use. Are there other objects like it in the gallery? Which ones? Are there other examples that you can find in books, journals, internet? Is there a myth depicted? What is the myth? If there are other scenes depicted what is going on?
2. Information about the artist and the technique. How was the object manufactured?
3. Where was the object made? If for instance the object is made in Athens what do we know about the history of the city when the object was made?
4. What is the history of the object?
5. What is the importance of the object and why is it on display?
6. How does it relate to other objects in the exhibit?

Include drawings, photographs, maps as well as comparative pieces. How is your piece the same or different from similar pieces? Use the virtual exhibit of the gallery for information.

There is a reserve list of books in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Library (3rd floor) that can be of assistance to you as you begin your research. There are also many books that can be of help to you that are not on reserve! For reference to footnote and bibliographic style I recommend Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, Chicago, 7th edition, 2007.

Organization of your paper is extremely important. Please create an outline of your paper before you begin. You need to submit a progress report to me about your term paper by November 15. The term paper is due December 4.

 

Research Paper