ARHI 186T PZ -Things

Institution: Pitzer College

Description: How do things matter? How do the meanings of objects change over time and as they move between places and contexts? What is “wealth in things” in a non-capitalist society? How are things transformed by colonialism and globalization? What happens to an object when it becomes a commodity? Or when it is displayed as an artwork? How have indigenous people mediated these transformations? Through these questions, this seminar explores the changing social life of objects over time and space. The course will focus, in turn, on two types of valued objects historically produced by women: Native Californian baskets and Polynesian barkcloth.