Course Descriptions
History 6135: Foundations of Museology I (3 hours)Instructor: Professor Jay Rounds
Concepts for understanding museums in their social and cultural context. Museology and general social theory. Objects and their place in museums. Information transfer vs. meaning-making models. Visitor research and learning theory. Introduction to the changing roles of museums in society.
History 6137: Effective Action In Museums (3 hours)
Instructor: Jim Worton, Director, Museum of Transportation
The nature of the work done in museums. How museums are organized to accomplish this work. Professional roles and practices. Technology and resources used by museums. Skills for creative and effective leadership in project management and administration in museums. Planning, flow charting, budgeting, team dynamics and related skills. The course will include guest lectures by a variety of museum professionals.
History 6136: Foundations of Museology II (3 hours)
Instructor: Professor Jay Rounds
This course examines the complex relationships between museums and audiences. We will investigate conceptions of audience in theory and practice; institutional responses to increasing diversity in the United States; the role of exhibition design in constructing notions of the viewer; and the rise of the "visitor-centered" and dialogical museums.
History 6134: History Curatorship (5 hours)
Instructor: John Hoover, Director, Mercantile Library
Principles and practices of curatorship in history museums. Historiography and research in material culture; theoretical foundations; methodologies for collecting and curating collections; legal and ethical issues; interpretation; role of the history curator in exhibit and program development; responsibilities to the community.
Anthropology 6139: Practicum In Exhibit and Program Development (3 hours)
Instructor: To Be Announced
Team processes for development of exhibits and educational programs.
Art & Art History 5588: Museum Education and Visitor Research (3 hours)
Instructor: Professor Louis Lankford
Development and operation of museum educational programs; learning theory; program design; relationships with exhibit development; programming for children and adults. Visitor research: theoretical foundations; research design; field experience; impact on programming and strategic planning. History 6102: Social and Intellectual History of American MuseumsInstructor: Professor Jay Rounds Historical perspectives on the development and social role of American museums, from the 1780s to the present.
History 6138: Museum Studies Master's Project (4 hours)
Research and writing/exhibit development on a selected topic. The Master¹s Project will be the capstone demonstration of competence in museum studies. The specific nature of this demonstration will be customized to the interests and career aspirations of each student. It may take the form of a traditional thesis, an exhibit project or some other appropriate form, as approved in advance by the candidate's advisory committee. The regular course offerings will be supplemented by special workshops and enrichment programs, including organized trips to museums in the broader region, special presentations by visiting leaders in the museum field and attendance at meetings of professional associations.
