Skill: From Flint-knapping to the Maker Movement

What does it mean to be skilled? How do mechanical and material knowledge, expertise in the use of tools, and physical ability allow us to make and repair things? How do actions, words, images and artifacts embody skills? How do skills fit into social and cultural settings? How have ideas about skills changed over time? In this course we will read the writings of skilled craftspeople, scholars, and cultural critics; observe skilled practitioners in a variety of areas; learn new skills, and write about them.