Formerly known as the "Arab Courier," Pittsburgh's arguably most well-known diorama is being re-named "Lion Attacking a Dromedary" and moved from the second floor of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to the museum entry. This move represents a re-interpretation of the work-no longer considered "natural" and biological history, the diorama is now understood to reflect racialist stereotypes of the Arab world. Museums have long been institutions that categorize people, objects, and history. The re-positioning of "Arab Courier" is an opportunity to talk to our students about how to think critically about the presentation of objects around them.

In this workshop, Dr. Erin Peters of the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History will introduce participants to the background and implications of the diorama's move. Following dinner and discussion in Posvar, we will head over to the museum with Dr. Gretchen Bender of Pitt's Department of History of Art and Architecture to view the diorama along with other physical objects. Dr. Bender will lead the group in pedagogical activities that can be used in the classroom the next day, and provide lesson plans, hand-outs, and suggestions for how to use physical objects as teaching tools even when a museum trip is not possible. Parking, Act 48 credit, and dinner will all be provided.