Midterm Exam Study Guide

"Beyond the Grave: What Old Cemeteries Tell and Teach the Living"

Midterm Exam Study Guide

Test is Monday, March 5, 6 p.m.  

Note: This guide is posted on the class blog (charlestonbeyondthegrave.blogspot.com) in the top right corner “gadget” spot. This online version will have links to the material you need to study for the test.

There will be several elements to this test: terms/definitions, multiple choice, short answer and matching. There will not be anything on the exam that is not included in this study guide. Your score on this test (number and letter grade) combined with a critique of your blog will determine your midterm grade. CofC uses the plus/minus grade scale: A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc. for midterm and final grades. There may be one or two extra credit questions.

Test material will come from the following sources:

• Two course textbooks: “In the Arms of Angels” and “Stories Told in Stone” (specific page numbers to review will be given below)
•  Five Prezi presentations posted on the class website and linked below
• Various other links indicated below
• Homework handouts (4)- review all questions

Textbook Material to Study and Review:

“In the Arms of Angels: Magnolia Cemetery- Charleston’s Treasure of History, Mystery and Artistry” 

• Pages 5-6, “Rural and Victorian Cemetery Movements”- Origins, influences, era (span in years)
• Pages 10-15, “Other U.S. Victorian Cemeteries” – Review common traits and design elements of these cemeteries
• Chapter 7, “A Modern Monument Maker’s Perspective” (pages 180-182)- review the things Richard Crites says are different today about how people handle the deaths and burials of family.
• Review pages 41-42 on the Parker’s rare grave monument style and the unusual accident that lead to the death of James Henry Parker

“Stories Told in Stone: Cemetery Iconology- A Manual for Genealogy Research”

• Pages 9-12,  “The History of Cemeteries & Gravestones” – study terminology for this type of research; European and Victorian influences on churchyard customs and the new, larger cemeteries
• Pages 56-57, “Types of Cemeteries”- nine are listed with distinguishing characteristics/purposes
• Pages 90-91, “Visual Guide to Cemetery Monument Types”- there will be a match the marker/monument name with the correct image shown on the other side of the page

Prezi Presentations and Other Links

• Course Overview Prezi-
• Examine the map and know approximately how many gravesites are or have been on Charleston’s Peninsula
• Know the difference between “graveyards” and “cemeteries”
• Funeral and Cemetery Evolution Prezi
• Carefully review “The History of Funerals" link (three common threads for death and disposition of the dead; “Funeral Rites Through Time” timeline
• Review the Wikipedia entry on the Victorian Era- who was Queen Victoria, when was this era (begin year/end year)? 
• The Catacombs beneath Paris- what is that all about?  
• Be able to describe a few of the unique rituals described in the article, “Slaves Brought Burial Customs from Africa to the United States”
• Be able to match the country with the custom after reviewing “Fascinating Funeral Traditions Around the Globe” article
• Know the different types of cemeteries- see pages 56-57 in “Stories Told in Stone"
• Review factors that have changed U.S. funeral and burial views and customs
• Researching Grave Sites (St. Patrick Church) Prezi
• Review and be able to list various ways to research gravesites in person (observations, note taking, talking to people connected with the graveyard/cemetery); library resources; and online resources
•  Cemetery Expert Ruth Miller’s Class Visit (Harwood blog post)
• Be familiar with the Charleston firsts and other cemetery/graveyard distinctions
• Also, review my previous Ruth Miller post about Lord Ashley Cooper and the origins of Charleston’s diverse religions (especially the countries/regions they came from)
• Bethel United Methodist Church Sue Bennett Tour (Harwood blog post)
• Review this post and the unique distinctions mentioned about this church and its graveyard
• Types of Grave Markers Prezi and Name These Grave Markers Prezi
• These will be matching: photos of the different markers on one side, the names on the other side, so be able to correctly identify 10 or more (see also pages 90-91 in “Stories Told in Stone”)
• Also review this “Quick Field Guide to Monument Types”

Test Breakdown:

•  Blog Quality                                                                            10 points
• 6 Posts: About Me (expand on gadget version), St. Luke and St. Patrick Graveyards (10 marker types), Library Resources (with Jared Seay), Ruth Miller Talk, Bethel UMC (10 symbol types/Sue Bennett Tour), Elizabeth Jackson CofC Headstone Mystery
• Proofread everything and fix errors; have good headlines and leads, short paragraphs, two/more embedded links and label words
• Blog Basics: “About Me” gadget with photo of yourself and short write up about you and your blog, three columns, these gadgets: page views, follow by email, search this blog, blog stats
•  Multiple Choice (15 questions)                                       30 points
• Short Answer (5 questions)                                                      10 points
• Matching (3 parts)

o   Marker/Monument Types (15)                                     30 points

o   Funeral/Cemetery Traditions around World (5)           10 points

o   Charleston Religious Heritage (5)                                10 points

100 points