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Introduction to Paper One

  • Instructor welcomes students and mentions the cultural context for the class.

  • Recommends a historically accurate Netflix show about Roman history.

  • Instructor announces they will discuss Paper One today while acknowledging the upcoming exam on Monday.

Expectations for Paper One

  • Paper one is a new assignment for the class, replacing a previous paper on Unesto sites.

  • Focus on methodology used in exam essays: formalism and context, including:

    • Style analysis

    • Contextual analysis

    • Meaning analysis

  • An assignment sheet will be posted on Canvas with more details.

Paper Guidelines

  • Students will choose objects related to Greco-Roman antiquity, specifically forgeries, to compare with legitimate artifacts.

  • One example is a 'forged koros.' Students are to use their textbooks to identify authentic objects that resemble their chosen forgeries.

  • Instructions on comparing and contrasting forgeries including:

    • Context of forgery: how it was done, who the forger is, and the intent behind the forgery.

    • Style analysis: how to differentiate between forgery and authenticity.

  • Students must include a short conclusion in their papers discussing personal research opinions on forgeries.

Research Questions for Conclusion

  • Key questions to consider for the conclusion include:

    • Is a forged piece of art still considered art?

    • Does it hold value?

    • Can it be used as a teaching tool?

    • How should forgeries be discussed compared to other forms of reproduction?

  • Emphasis on using learned concepts and personal insights to form opinions.

Focus on the Object, Not the Forger

  • Papers should not focus heavily on biographical details of forgers but rather keep the analysis centered on the objects themselves.

  • Requirements for the paper:

    • Minimum of 750 words, double spaced, 12-point font (any readable font).

    • Standard margins.

Writing Style and Format

  • Papers must adhere to Chicago Manual Style, which includes:

    • Creating a cover page with title, name, date, and recitation section.

    • Including a bibliography and footnotes.

  • Emphasis on developing one's writing voice through extensive discussion in the paper using methodology.

Recommended Resources

  • Suggestions for resources include:

    • Museum websites

    • Textbooks

    • Smart History

    • Scholarly articles accessed via JSTOR (available through MSU library without cost).

  • Cautions against using Wikipedia and encourages the use of Google Scholar for peer-reviewed materials.

  • Students can use legitimate YouTube videos from historians with verified citations.

Importance of Asking Questions

  • Students are encouraged to ask questions when uncertain about resources or requirements, both to peers and the instructor.

Footnotes and Plagiarism Policies

  • Detailed explanation of footnotes:

    • Not just for quotes but for all sourced information.

    • Instructions for inserting footnotes in Word and Google Docs.

  • Strong statement against plagiarism and AI usage:

    • Plagiarism considered academic misconduct (zero on assignment or removal from class).

    • AI tools considered synonymous with plagiarism.

Enhancements for Writing Assistance

  • Students encouraged to keep track of research and notes to support their originality in the event of accusations of plagiarism.

  • Introduction of Grammarly, with an emphasis on avoiding the use of its AI writing assistant.

  • Instructor reassures that all essays will undergo integrity checks to identify any potential AI use.

Thesis Development Guidance

  • Thesis should be more detailed than that of exam essays.

  • Suggested analogy of a murder investigation to frame thesis development:

    • Introduce the object as the subject of investigation.

    • State the question you want to address.

    • Define the methodological tools to be used in investigating.

Writing Support Resources

  • Availability of writing centers and the instructor for thesis refinement help.

  • Professor is accessible for further questions during office hours.

Revision Tips

  • Read papers out loud to catch errors or awkward phrases.

  • Recommendation to read aloud to others for additional feedback.

  • Avoid hyperbole in critiques; focus on critical analysis backed by evidence.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  • Avoid vague statements and excessive I statements.

  • Be specific in descriptions and terminology (e.g., specifying art periods).

  • Resources for writing assistance:

    • Writing centers, OWL, and citation tools like Chegg for organizing citations.

  • Final emphasis on instructor's support and a call for questions as necessary.

Discussion on Art Value and Forgery Impact

  • Discussion of how the value of art is determined:

    • Aesthetic value

    • Moral or immoral history of art

    • Demand and provenance of objects impacting their value.

  • Connection to forgeries in the art market affecting authenticity and value perception:

    • Art market inflation stemming from forgeries leading to potential theft and black market issues.

    • Estimated annual illicit art industry value between 4.5−7billion4.5-7 billion, ranking third after narcotics and arms.

    • Links with NFTs and digital art black market dynamics.

Questions and Closing Remarks

  • Final invitation for questions pertaining to the paper or further clarification on topics discussed.