Using NMAH to teach Communications

By Professor Jenny Hodges, Communication Studies

On an overcasast and blustery day, a group of Communication students met at Dave’s Dream Lowrider at the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Our schedule for the day included visiting three primary exhibitions at NMAH – ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States at the Molina Family Latino Gallery; Many Voices, One Nation; and Entertainment Nation. Due to public transit delays, several other students joined us during our first exhibition stop – Many Voices, One Nation.

Students explored stories about how we became “US” – some were already here, some came voluntarily, some were forcibly brought here, and some remained in place as the US expanded. Students explored artifacts and stories from hundreds of years ago through modern day with one primary goal in mind – to identify one or more artifacts or stories that attempted to significantly address or solve a problem of its time.

Many students were drawn to artifacts and exhibits that explored stories related to the themes of immigration, worker’s rights, and gender inequality. Students were delighted to see the Immokalee Statue of Liberty in person, as we explored the story of the 230-mile March for Dignity, Dialogue, and a Fair Wage in class a few weeks prior to the visit. Ibrahim R. commented, “I think I’ve seen this before!” just before taking a picture of her. Overheard from a group of students admiring her in the museum was, “I can’t believe they did all this just for one penny more for a whole basket of tomatoes.”

The highlight of the visit was Entertainment Nation due to the bright lights, vibrant multimedia, and array of colorful artifacts. Students enjoyed seeing clips from famous films and television shows, including a thought-provoking showcase of historical moments from movies, cartoons, and television with comedians’ social commentary that invites the question, “What’s So Funny?”

Although a few students in the class have visited a Smithsonian museum in the past, this was the first visit to the National Museum of American History for most students.

“A museum is a place to learn not just about history but also about what others believe and their messages to the world.” Alex T.

“It’s amazing how many different issues, topics, and time periods they were able to fit in this one building while keeping everything cohesive and interesting.” Veronica P.

“Visiting the museum and experiencing all the different exhibits was a very eye opening and mind-expanding journey. The inclusivity and representation of every American culture, before and after us, was significantly astounding.” Jade N.

“The museum was a new experience that showed me a wide variety of topics that I did not expect to see. The entertainment nation was my favorite section, the vibrant colors made the area seem like a party.” Makayla V.

“It’s incredible how small artifacts can have such a strong impact on history.” Journey T.