Art History Research Project – Ms. Smith
Academic World History
Objectives
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Research a cultural artifact as a primary source in a museum, using the library,
computers and online sources.
Describe and write about the history and culture of the civilization from which the artifact
was created.
Analyze the artifact’s purpose within the culture of the civilization.
Part I – Students will be assigned an art history artifact to research as follows:
a. Description of the artifact including materials used to make the artifact
b. Approximate dates and origins of the artifact.
c. Its purpose in the civilization in which the artifact was created
Part II – Using at least three academic sources, students will research the culture of the civilization in
which the artifact was created including:
a. Religious beliefs, rituals, customs, artistic monuments and language of the civilization
b. Interpretation of the artifact and how it was used or what it symbolizes within the civilization.
Part III –Historical relevance
a. Describes the history of the civilization at the time the artifact was created and the historical
relevance of the artifact.
b. If located in a location away from where it was created, describe reasons why it might have
been moved.
c. Discuss efforts to protect and prevent destruction of the artifact or site and describes how the
artifact can be preserved.
Part IV – Written research paper
a. Students will write a 3-page research paper summarizing his/her research in the format
described above.
b. At least three sources are used including two non-internet sources.
c. The paper will be written using MLA format.
Part V. Oral Presentation - students present a summary of their research in a power point
presentation to the class.
a. Discuss the main points of your research in 3-5 minutes
b. Use 10-12 slides to explain your findings visually
Deadlines:
 February 10
Research Project assigned & topic selected
 __________
Parts I., II., & III.- Research in Library
 __________
Part IV- First written draft of paper due
 __________
Part IV.- Review and Revise
 __________
Part IV.- Final Research Paper due
 May (after SOL) – TBD Part V.-Oral Presentations due-separate rubric (to be
received later) and grade-will count as a project category grade
*Project created by Mrs. Marnell and implemented by DHS 9th grade World History/Geography I
Cohort
Art History Primary Source Research Paper Rubric
Part I – Describes the Artifact 5-7 Sentences
______/30 points
Describes in detail materials used to make artifacts/art pieces.
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Describes the artifact, its size, color, and texture.
Discusses in detail materials used to make artifacts and where they came from.
Includes date or dates in which artifact was created.
Includes geographic location where artifact was found and/or created.
Describes in detail how the artifact was used within the civilization in which it was found
/created.
Part II – Cultural Relevance 5-7 sentences
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Describes in detail the culture for which the artifact was created.
Describes religious beliefs, rituals, customs and language of the civilization
Interprets how the artifact may have been used within the culture of the civilization.
Part III – History 5-7 sentences
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________/30 points
_________/20 points
Describes history of civilization at the time the artifact was created.
If the artifact was found in a different geographic region from where it was created, describe
possible reasons why it was located there.
Part IV- Formatting:
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________/20 points
Includes a title page.
Three or more full pages are typed and double spaced.
Sources are cited using in-text citations.
A references page is included which shows that three or more academic sources were
used.
MLA formatting has been consistently applied throughout the document.
The paper is free of grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Primary Source Analysis Worksheet
When and where was the artifact made?
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What was the purpose of the artifact? Who in society would have had the artifact?
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What materials were used to make the artifact?
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Who was the artist/creator of the artifact? What was the artists’ background? Who paid for or
commissioned the artifact to be made?
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Does the artifact tell a story? If so, explain.
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