DRAFT Module:

Interpreting Multiple Points of View

Appropriate Technique: Interpreting Multiple Points of View

Approach:

Effective interpretation of multiple points of view requires mastery of the techniques and applications in Module 340: Advanced Research and Resource Liaison.

Content Outline:

1. What?

   1. Interpreting multiple points of view is an interpretive technique (AT).

   2. Interpretive products that describe and explore two or more meanings, perspectives, opinions, ideologies, or ways of looking at the same resource or resources interpret multiple points of view.

      1. Each meaning or perspective provides significantly different opportunities for the audience to make their own intellectual and emotional connections to the resource.

      2. These meanings or perspectives can be from the past or the present.

      3. These meanings or perspectives often disagree or conflict, but may simply illustrate "difference."

      4. Examples:

         1. The institution of slavery

            1. Enslaved person’s perspective

            2. Slaveowner’s perspective

            3. Free African-American’s perspective

            4. Economic meanings

            5. Religious meanings

            6. Political meanings

         2. Wolf re-introduction

            1. Environmentalist’s position

            2. Rancher’s position

            3. Agency position

            4. Meaning to the ecosystem

            5. Meaning to tourism

            6. Meaning to other resource management efforts

   3. Multiple points of view can be interpreted with any interpretive product.

   4. Multiple points of view can be interpreted in combination with other interpretive techniques.

2. Why?

   1. Interpreting multiple points of view presents greater opportunities for audiences to relate to the resource.

      1. Allows more people to recognize meaningful connections to the resource.

      2. Includes audiences who have been "excluded."

      3. Addresses broader audience interests and perspectives.

      4. Addresses those who want to know and understand more about the resource.

   2. Interpreting multiple points of view presents greater opportunities for provocation.

      1. KR, resource meanings, and perspectives that are new to audiences.

      2. Appreciation that others view a given resource as having a range of meanings different than one’s own.

   3. Interpreting multiple points of view presents the opportunity to create an environment of dialogue.

      1. Multiple meanings allow the interpreter to make gestures of respect.

      2. Gestures of respect allow for an exchange of views.

   4. Interpreting multiple points of view is an effective way to raise awareness as to the value of preservation and stewardship.

      1. Interpreting and describing differing and/or competing meanings and perspectives without manipulation or malice provides a "moral high ground" or credibility for resources, interpreters, and agency positions.

      2. Many audiences recognize when they are being told what to think and reject the content.

   5. Interpreting multiple resource meanings helps audiences with widely differing perspectives share their care about the resource.

3. How?

   1. Apply the techniques and applications in section III. of Module 340 component "Appropriate Technique: Connecting Multiple Resource Meanings to Multiple Audience Interests and Perspectives."

   2. Develop interpretive products with interpretive themes that link a tangible resource to two or more universal concepts or ideas.

      1. The theme should express two or more ideas.

         1. Examples: The Model 1841 Harpers Ferry rifle represents the conflict between tradition and change. This theme requires the development of both how the weapon represents tradition and change as well as how the perspectives of tradition and change conflict. Conflict, tradition, and change are all universal concepts.

         2. The turkey vulture represents life’s dependence on death. This theme requires the development of both how the turkey vulture represents life and death as well as the role it plays as a "recycler." Life, death, and dependence are all universal concepts.

      2. Develop interpretive products specifically to support those themes.

   3. Use tangible resources as symbols for different meanings and/or perspectives.

      1. Use a single tangible resource to represent different meanings and/or perspectives.

         1. Example: California condors represent what some people see to be a futile waste of money on an almost extinct species AND what some people see as evidence of the human ability to effect nature in a positive way.

         2. Example: The communion chalice in a mission in San Antonio represents religious beliefs and faith AND the expansion of European ideas and culture AND an assault on native cultures.

      2. Use two or more tangible resources to represent different meanings and/or perspectives.

         1. Example: The bald eagle is an example of charismatic megafauna that represents American ideals. The prairie dog represents "pest" species. However, in some places, the preservation of the eagle depends on the preservation of the prairie dog. Together they represent the relationships of an ecosystem and strategies for stewardship.

         2. Example: The pike or spear that John Brown intended to arm enslaved people with represents terrorism. Dangerfield Newby, an ex-enslaved man who fought with Brown to free his family represents Brown the freedom fighter. Together they pose moral questions about violence and law.

   4. Select symbols, meanings, and perspectives that balance and fairly represent a variety of perspectives.

      1. It is tempting to select opposites. Extremes may eclipse more representative perspectives. Interpretive programs that do this tend to be like political talk shows that focus more on conflict than substance.

      2. If extreme positions help establish relevance, be sure to include other perspectives as well.

   5. Allow audiences to connect emotionally and intellectually on their own terms.

      1. Present multiple points of view in a balanced, accurate, and fair manner.

      2. Allow audiences to discover and determine their own positions.

   6. If resource meanings and/or perspectives are potentially controversial, see Draft Module—Appropriate Technique: Interpreting Critical Resource Issues.

   7. If interpretation is needed to describe and support an agency preservation position or issue—see Appropriate Technique: Interpreting Critical Resource Issues.

   8. Encourage audiences to consider multiple points of view.

      1. Ask direct questions and allow visitors to respond.
      2. Ask rhetorical questions.
      3. Imply questions by reviewing all points of view interpreted.

          

Editor: STMA Training Manager Interpretation