For This or a Similar Paper Click Here To Order Now
Overview
This week we are studying intent and interpretation, specifically focusing on cultural works. For this assignment, select either the Statue of Liberty, the Crazy Horse Memorial, or the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Research the intention of the creator of the monument you selected and how the monument is perceived today. Review the articles related to each monument in the Resources SECTION,
Prompt
Respond to the questions below in a few paragraphs. Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
Describe the monument selected.
Explain the original intentions behind the monument selected and how later interpretations changed the meaning and cultural understandings.
Reflect on what you learned in the Resources section articles and compare your own interpretation or understanding of the monument selected with the intent of authors whose interpretations you chose to evaluate.
What to Submit
Your submission should be a Word document, one to two pages in length, with 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Any sources should be cited according to APA style,
RESOURCES
Article: The Awards Show Show: How Critics Affect the Oscars, and How Bias Affects Critics opens in new window
This article from the Shapiro Library covers a discussion of the critics of the various award shows. It ties to an evaluation of the intent of a creator and the interpretation of a cultural work, which is part of the short answer assignment due this week.
Video: Who Decides What Art Means? opens in new window (4:18)
In this video, Hayley Levitt explores the complex web of artistic interpretations, focusing on how much an artist’s intention should affect your interpretation of a work. The video connects to the concept of interpretation, which is part of your short answer assignment.
Monuments
These resources will support your short answer assignment. You do not need to read all of them. Choose a monument and read the two associated articles.
Statue of Liberty
Reading: The Statue of Liberty: A Transatlantic Story opens in new window, Chapter 1
This e-book from the Shapiro Library discusses the ideation and creation of the Statue of Liberty. Read Chapter 1.
Reading: “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus opens in new window
This article from the Shapiro Library presents an explication of Emma Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus” and helps define the purpose of the Statue of Liberty.
Website: Statute of Liberty opens in new window
This website presents the park information for the Statue of Liberty.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Reading: American Sphinx opens in new window
The article from the Shapiro Library discusses the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota.
Website: Crazy Horse Memorial opens in new window
This website presents the Crazy Horse Memorial.
MLK Memorial
Reading: MLK Jr’s New Memorial to Stand Among DC’s Honored opens in new window
This article from the Shapiro Library discusses the artistic considerations in the construction of MLK’s memorial.
Website: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial opens in new window
This website presents the creation of the MLK statues, views of the park, and other resources related to the statue.
Additional Support (Optional)
Podcast: Poetry, Performance, and Disability Culture: An Interview With Petra Kuppers opens in new window (first 16 minutes)
This podcast covers an interview with Petra Kuppers, professor of English at the University of Michigan, as well as a poet, filmmaker, artist, and disability activist. The interview focuses on the politics of Professor Kuppers’s scholarship and art. It ties to the concept of culture and expression, which is part of your project draft this week.
A transcript is available: Transcript for Poetry, Performance, and Disability Culture: An Interview With Petra Kuppers Word Document.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Choose Your Monument
From the list provided (Statue of Liberty, Crazy Horse Memorial, or the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial), select the monument that interests you the most.
Step 2: Research the Monument
You need to gather information about your chosen monument. Focus on:
- The history and creation of the monument.
- The creator’s intentions behind building the monument (e.g., why it was created, the message it was meant to convey).
- The evolution of the monument’s meaning over time and how cultural understandings have shifted.
- Key readings and resources on the monument to support your understanding (check the provided readings and articles in your course materials).
Step 3: Describe the Monument
Start by describing the monument in a few sentences. Provide basic details like:
- Location of the monument.
- Physical appearance or structure of the monument.
- What symbols or images are represented and their significance.
Step 4: Explain the Original Intentions
Discuss the original intentions behind the monument’s creation. Consider:
- What did the creator intend for the monument to represent when it was first built?
- Who was the monument meant to honor or represent?
- What cultural, social, or historical context influenced the monument’s creation?
Step 5: Reflect on the Evolution of Interpretation
Now, explain how interpretations of the monument have changed over time:
- How do people perceive the monument today, compared to when it was first built?
- How have societal shifts, cultural understandings, or political changes influenced how the monument is viewed?
Step 6: Compare Your Interpretation
Reflect on your own interpretation of the monument in light of the Resources Section:
- After reading the resources, how does your understanding align with or differ from the interpretations of the authors?
- Are there any new perspectives or insights you gained that altered your interpretation?
Step 7: Finalize Your Paper
- Write your assignment in 1-2 pages using 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and with one-inch margins.
- Make sure your writing is clear and concise, answering the questions directly and thoughtfully.
- Cite all sources in APA format, including any resources you used from the readings or external sources.
Step 8: Proofread and Submit
Before submitting:
- Review your work for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
- Ensure that you’ve addressed all the criteria outlined in the prompt.
By following these steps, you will have a well-organized and thoughtful paper that fully addresses the prompt.