ASSIGNMENT

Choose a museum in Los Angeles from the list provided below (if you would like to visit another museum, you are welcome, just get it approved by me beforehand). You will visit the museum and wander through the exhibits, looking specifically for religious arts and artifacts (paintings/sculptures /ritual artifacts/manuscripts/photographs, etc.). Find two objects from two religious traditions that are different from your own and which you personally find interesting for research. Once you’ve chosen the two objects, you will then do an in-depth research paper about the pieces.

You will be able to find some information about the pieces from the museum itself, but you will also need to do some research on your own from other academic sources (library, journals,online etc.,). What are you interested in knowing is the following:

o Author/creator and Date (if there is one)

o Describe the objects briefly and tell me what drew you to this particular piece.

o What specific religious tradition/sect/school does this piece belong to? (be specific!)

o What religious symbols/motifs/archetypes are being employed? What do these symbols mean?

o What does the piece represent, signify and mean to the religion it belongs to and its followers? Who do you think is the intended audience? Does the piece have some function or purpose (e.g. philosophical/religious teaching/ritual/artistic)?

o What religious beliefs/myths/worldviews can be seen in this piece?

Use your book and other academic sources to help you with your research.

Final Paper Guidelines:

6 pages total; single-spaced, size 12 font, Times New Roman These pages should be broken into the following:

o 1 page which includes a photograph of the two pieces you chose – also include a photo of yourself at the museum you went to