watch and write
watch and write about the movie
*********************EXTRACREDIT (OPTIONAL) ACTIVITY***********************
Dear Students,
Watch the Rashomon movie (black and white, with English subtitles) and
write a one – two page paper for extra credit. The paper should
1. Summarize the plot
2. Identify the characters
3. Explain how you think this movie is relevant to understanding theory in material
culture.
It may be helpful to you to review the “on the nature of theory” section in Chapter 1 of your
textbook as you prepare to watch the movie and write your paper. The movie is available on from
different sources such as “Offbeat Cinema”, ITunes and AmazonPrime.
This is the movie discussed in your textbook. Please read the appropriate sections in your
textbook before watching the movie. Please be aware, some may be offended by the content of
the movie.
Your full name must be written at the top of your paper submission.
No late submissions will be accepted for any reason. 5 points will be added to your first test grade for
complete and thoughtful submissions.
Best Regards,
Paulette R. Hebert, Ph.D.
Professor
DHM 3033
Material
Culture
DHM 3033
Material
Culture
Chapter 1
Making Sense of
Material Culture
DHM 3033
Material
Culture
Chapter 1
Section 2
What is a
theory?
o A way of seeing
o An optic that focuses on specific subject matter
o Modes of explanation & interpretation
that construct connections &
illuminate sociocultural practices,
thus helping to make sense of everyday life
Berger, S
.
(2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What is a theory?
o Greek theoria
signifies perspective & vision
that focuses upon
specific topics,
processes & attributes
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What are some
theories of material culture?
• Freudian Psychoanalytic
• Semiotic
• Sociological
• Marxist
• Cultural
• Archaeological
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What are
limits to theory?
Roshomon
1951 film
Akira Kurosawa
Based on 2 short stories by
Ryunosuke Akutugawa
Set in 12th century Japan
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What are limits to
theory?
Roshomon Problem
4 different people…give
4 very different versions…
How do we know reality?
Who is telling the truth?
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What are limits to
theory?
“Roshomon Problem”
“…scholars from different
disciplines would disagree
about how to interpret
(Roshomon)…”
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What are limits to
theory?
Roshomon Problem
“What do we do when
theorists from different
disciplines disagree
about how to interpret
an artifact or object?”
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
What are
limits to theory?
Roshomon
www.youtube.com/watch?v=38WdmtBO
o34
Note: Some may find some material
offensive.
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38WdmtBOo34
What are limits to
theory?
How would you interpret this artifact?
What is it?
Who used it?
Where was it created?
When?
Why?
.
Masks from Japan
Who what where when why?
Selections
from the
Permanent Collection
from the
Mingei
International Museum
San Diego, CA
What are some
theories of material culture?
Sociological Theory:
Offers insights into role objects & artifacts play
in our lives
Raises questions about how objects
function for people
Raises questions about what motivates people
to purchase objects
Considers demographics
Berger, S. (2014). What objects mean:
An Introduction to material culture.
Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
Masks
Who what where when why?
• Worn during dances, rites of
passage, festivals & celebration
• Serve as powerful symbols of
identity & power.
• Express complex beliefs
are often associated with the
deepest convictions & ideals of
a community.
www.mingei.org/exhibition/masks/
Masks
Who what where when why?
• Serve as powerful statements
about identity and perception
• Change wearer’s face- by
exaggerate or conceal features
• Express the “shadow personality”
found in each of us
• Making & wearing embraced by
many cultures
www.mingei.org/exhibition/masks/
Masks
• Diverse materials:
wood
paper mache
fiber
metal
paper
www.mingei.org/exhibition/masks/
Masks from Japan
Menpo Samurai
face mask from
the movie
The Last Samurai.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mask+scene+last+samari+mo
vie&id=60BD65059010AF06FD45490C22AC43B82153F5AE&FORM=IQFRBA
#view=detail&id=60BD65059010AF06FD45490C22AC43B82153F5AE&sele
ctedIndex=0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Last_Samurai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Last_Samurai
Who what where when why?
Masks from Japan
Material Culture objects, such as these Japanese masks,
may also be used
in other places
and by other people –
for example
as decorative furnishings
in a restaurant in Stillwater.
HSCI Faculty at Main Street Noodle, Stillwater, OK