| Sept 25 |
The plan of the course What is material culture? Doing research and writing reports
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| Sept 29-Oct 2 |
Child play and leisure Reading: Nasaw, from Children of the city Calvert, from Children in the house
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| Oct 7 |
Using library databases Guest lecturer: Elliot Kanter, Communication Bibliographer Meet at Geisel Library, Room 276
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| Oct 9-14 |
History of playthings Readings: Mergen, "Made, bought and stolen" Formanek-Brunell, "Sugar and spite" Utley, "Field toys"
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| Oct 16 |
Assignment 1 due: Bibliography on your toy
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| Oct 16-21 |
Toys of the late twentieth century Readings: Kline, "The play of the market" Seiter, "Toys 'R Us" Cunningham, "Moral kombat"
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| Oct 23 |
Assignment 2 due: Market profile of your toy |
| Oct 23-27 |
Group 1 presentations
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| Oct 29-Nov 4 |
Group 2 presentations
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| Nov 6-11 |
Group 3 presentations
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| Nov 13 |
Group 4 presentations
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| Nov 18 |
The independent toy store and the toy industry Guest lecture: Jane Naisbitt, Owner Thinker Things Toy Store, Del Mar
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| Nov 20- 25 |
Group 5 presentations
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| Nov 25 |
Assignment 3 due: History of your toy
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| Nov 27 |
Holiday
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| Dec 4-6 |
Toys and the future
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| Dec 8 |
Take-home final due, no later than 6 pm in MCC 209
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This course is designed to develop research skills in the study of contemporary material life. The subject is playthings for children and how they have changed through history. Three assignments are required. The first is a bibliography of publications on your toy, from academic journals to trade publications. The second is a contemporary evaluation of the market presence of your toy. The third assignment is a report on the history and development of your toy to its present-day use. You will receive assignment sheets explaining what you need to prepare for your presentation. In addition to giving a brief presentation, you will need to make short copies of your report for distribution to students in the class. Each assignment is worth 20 points, for a total of 60% of your grade.
There is no midterm, instead a take-home final will be given during finals week. The exam will draw from my lectures, readings and reports given by students in the class (handouts will be important) and will count for the remaining 40%.
Readings
A packet of readings is required, available from University Reader Printing Service. An announcement about availability of the packet will be made in class.
Communication
My office hours for this course will be Wednesdays from 10-12 in MCC, Room 209. Other than coming to see me, the best way to reach me is by e-mail at cpadden@ucsd.edu.
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