Assignment #2: Power Made Visible TASK Visit (strongly encouraged) the Metropolitan Museum of Art (5th Avenue) in person, or explore the collections online at www.metmuseum.org. Choose one artifact from an ancient civilization studied (or about to be studied) in this course. Your task is not simply to describe the object, but to analyze what it reveals about power in that society.
PART I: Identify the Artifact
• Title of the artifact
• Civilization
• Date
• Materials
• Direct link to the museum page
• Include a half-page image of the artifact in your paper
PART II: Description (Brief) In one short paragraph, describe what the object looks like, what materials were used, who or what is depicted, and what stands out visually. Avoid excessive summary — this sets up your analysis.
PART III: Analysis Using Course Themes
• What does this object reveal about power?
• Who had power in this society?
• How was power justified?
• How was power displayed or made visible?
• What does this object reveal about hierarchy, religion, kingship, empire, patriarchy, engineering, or monumentality?
Use terminology from class where appropriate (e.g., kingship, legitimacy, hierarchy, empire, divine authority, monumentality, control of nature). This paper must demonstrate interpretation, not just explanation.
Suggested Thesis Structures
“This artifact demonstrates how the rulers of ________ used ________ to legitimize and display their power.” “Through its imagery and materials, this object reveals that power in ________ was closely tied to ________.”
Length & Format Requirements
• Minimum 2 full pages double-spaced (including half-page image; at least 1.5 pages of writing)
• Include properly formatted image and link
• Cite all borrowed material (museum description or outside sources) in any clear format
• Clearly distinguish your ideas from source material
Grading Criteria
An A paper will: Make a clear analytical argument, connect directly to course themes, demonstrate strong organization and clarity, and go beyond description to offer original interpretation.
A B paper will: Describe the object clearly but offer limited or underdeveloped analysis.
A C paper will: Primarily summarize the artifact or museum description and show minimal connection to course themes.
Conclude your paper with one final sentence answering: “What does this artifact suggest about how power operates in this civilization?”
