Without an argument to carry through after analysis, the analysis is not overly useful; it just becomes information and ideas floating by. The need for argument is necessary for it to be brought to others' attention. Argument leads others to similar thoughts, whether for or against, but nonetheless, these thoughts shed light on a particular idea.

Upon searching for why an object is viewed in a specific cultural setting, we can see how in interacts with and is acted on by its setting. This gives not only a better understanding of the object, but also a better understanding of the culture and its people. This is key in archaeological fields, because to understand a civilization previously unknown of, one must examine the tools and technologies that were available to that civilization.

Introspection is the key to understanding and and viewing something for what it really is. As you become aware of why you feel a certain way, you can chose whether or not it was a fair or unfair judgement, and whether or not to continue to act out based on that feeling. This inner thinking provides a truthful look upon an object or being for us as viewers to gain a better understanding of.

Before even considering other possibilities, many chose instead to make assumptions about what they see. This lack of reflection is the cause of much strife in the world, from the automatic confrontation and arrest of Jason Wilson for his carrying of his machete, which was perceived as a dangerous weapon, to the widespread issues of racism and xenophobia experience by many in the country. (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/10/what-is-a-machete-anyway/280705/)

"to provide clarification; explain." ex. I elucidated this word to clear up any confusion.

(http://www.dictionary.com/browse/elucidate)

In simple terms, pedagogic just means related to teaching. So this "pedagogic sampler" is a useful set of teaching examples for the "practical approach to understanding things".

Part of Prownian analysis, as displayed here, is to break down an object to all of its most literal physical characteristics.

I feel like the AIDS quilt is meant to express this. Both are major topics to the class, and as such I feel like they go hand in hand. The quilt, at first look is just a quilt, but when inspected, it clearly depicts those affected and the aftermath of AIDS.

Do to a history of bloodshed and brutality, the machete has been transformed in the minds of many from a simple utilitarian tool into a much more sinister symbol of violence. (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/10/what-is-a-machete-anyway/280705/)

Essentially, Prownian analysis refers to an object in such a way that it becomes more of a concept. So the essays mentioned express exactly this: using object to define large scale ideas.

Jules Prown is a Professor Emeritus of Art History at Yale University. He developed Prownian analysis, a method of "identifying, and examining objects through detailed physical description, guessing at uses of the object, and treating the object as a fiction as a way of relating the object to more broad concepts." (https://gregcotter.wordpress.com/prownian-analysis-2/)

"The supplemental text is chose was The Atlantic article "What Is a Machete, Anyway?". In this article it is discussed that due to cultural actions around the machete, it was transformed from its original use as a farming and utility tool, into a symbol of violence and brutality. During numerous slave revolts as well as murders during the Rwandan Genocide the machete became a source of fear; in the hands of those using them for violence, those who witnessed these uses were conditioned to view a tool for cutting sugar cane as a weapon for cutting down others.