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Material Culture and Material Histories

This graduate-level course introduces theories and methods in material culture studies and considers their application in the discipline of history. Covered themes include commodification, fetishism, collecting, colonialism, museums, and materiality. We will read theoretical texts and recent historical studies that use material culture as evidence; we will also examine material culture in the Ackland Art Museum and other local sites. (Note: not focused on Asian history)


554A Pauli Murray Hall*
102 Emerson Dr., CB #3195
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3195

*Though the History Department uses the name Pauli Murray Hall for our building, on official maps you will find it as Hamilton Hall. Joseph Grégoire de Roulhac Hamilton’s intellectually dishonest historical and archival work promoted white supremacy. In contrast, Pauli Murray marshaled unassailable evidence and analysis in the service of racial and gender equality. In July 2020, all of the departments housed in the building agreed to adopt the name Pauli Murray Hall in place of Hamilton Hall. An official request with the Chancellor is pending. For more information, please see here.
phone: 919.962.2115
fax: 919.962.1403
email: history@unc.edu
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