What are the objects?

The term 'ethnographic' best applies to material collected as part of 
an ethnographic study, i.e. cultural anthropology.

If the objects have to do with social structure, then it would be 
politically (and otherwise) correct to refer to them as 'ethnographic' 
(in as much as 'polity' refers to how a society is organized). If they 
are essentially aesthetic in nature, then it would be technically 
correct to refer to them as 'art'.

How mature is the development director that they use the expressions 
'no-no'?

-L.D.



On Aug 7, 2006, at 2:55 PM, Jason Dennison wrote:

> I'm posing this question to the group...it appeared on the Museum-Ed 
> listserv this afternoon.
>
> "We are in the process of raising money to publish a catalogue about 
> our permanent collection which would include a selection of African, 
> Oceanic and Pre-Columbian objects.  Our development director has heard 
> that the term "ethnographic" is a no-no.  Has anyone else heard that?  
> If it is not a politically correct term, does anyone have any 
> alternatives?"
>
>
>
> Any thoughts?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Jason A. Dennison
> Manager, Educational Initiatives
> Cincinnati Museum Center
> 1301 Western Avenue
> Cincinnati, Ohio 45203
> TEL: +1 (513) 763-2315
> FAX: +1 (513) 287-7095
> MOBILE: +1 (513) 377-1585
> E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]
> URL: http://www.cincymuseum.org/education
>
>
>
>
> *********************************************************************
>
>

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).