Museum Studies

(Also offered as ARTH 407 / 507)

History, philosophy and purposes of museums. Techniques and problems of museum administration, education, collection, exhibition, conservation and public relations.

{Offered every academic year}

An in-depth analysis of a specific topic in Museum Studies. May be repeated as subject matter changes.

Prerequisite: 407 or ARTH 407.

Through lecture, discussion, hands-on exercises, and on-site fieldwork students will engage with collections found within museums, historic sites or homes, parks, research centers, or archives in order to better understand collections management and documentation.

Pre-requisite: ARTH 407/507 or MSST 407/507.

(Also offered as ANTH 444/544, BIOL 444/544, EPS 444/544, GEOG 444/544, MSST 544.) Interdisciplinary overview of how science museum resources are used to study change in human communities, natural, and physical systems over space and time. Course activities emphasize materials science, data science, and team science.

Restriction: instructor permission.

Public education within museum contexts, including exhibit research, planning, development, production; traveling trunks, booklets, outreach, public programming, evaluation, and digital and virtual applications.

Prerequisite: 407 or ARTH 407.

{Every academic year}

Method, theory, and practice of collection management, including acquisitions, law, ethics, organization, storage and retrieval, environmental controls, security, stabilization, risk management, and data management.

Prerequisite: 407 or ARTH 407.

{Every academic year}

(Also offered as ANTH, ARTH 485 / 585)

Theoretical and practical work in specific museum problems. May be repeated as subject matter changes.

Prerequisite: 407 or ARTH 407.

{Offered upon demand}

(Also offered as ANTH, ARTH 486 / 586)

Practicum in museum methods and management.

Prerequisite: 407 or ARTH 407.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

{Offered upon demand}

An independent study course on museum related problems or issues. The study allows for a student to complete a self-directed learning experience with faculty oversight and guidance.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

(Also offered as ARTH 507 / 407)

History, philosophy and purposes of museums. Techniques and problems of museum administration, education, collection, exhibition, conservation and public relations.

{Offered every academic year}

An in-depth analysis of a specific topic in Museum Studies. May be repeated as subject matter changes.

Prerequisite: 507 or ARTH 507. 

Through lecture, discussion, hands-on exercises, and on-site fieldwork students will engage with collections found within museums, historic sites or homes, parks, research centers, or archives in order to better understand collections management and documentation.

Pre-requisite: ARTH 507/407 or MSST 507/407.

(Also offered as ANTH 444/544 BIOL 444/544, EPS 444/544, GEOG 444/544, MSST 444.) Interdisciplinary overview of how science museum resources are used to study change in human communities, natural, and physical systems over space and time. Course activities emphasize materials science, data science, and team science.

Restriction: instructor permission.

Public education within museum contexts, including exhibit research, planning, development, production; traveling trunks, booklets, outreach, public programming, evaluation, and digital and virtual applications.

Prerequisite: 507 or ARTH 507.

{Every academic year}

Method, theory, and practice of collection management, including acquisitions, law, ethics, organization, storage and retrieval, environmental controls, security, stabilization, risk management, and data management.

Prerequisite: 507 or ARTH 507.

{Every academic year}

(Also offered as ANTH, ARTH 585 / 485)

Theoretical and practical work in specific museum problems. May be repeated as subject matter changes.

Prerequisite: 507 or ARTH 507.

{Offered upon demand}

(Also offered as ANTH, ARTH 586 / 486)

Practicum in museum methods and management.

Prerequisite: 507 or ARTH 507.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

{Offered upon demand}

An independent study course on museum related problems or issues. The study allows for a student to complete a self-directed learning experience with faculty oversight and guidance.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Projects must be museum-based: exhibits, films, educational programs, collection curation, field collection and analysis, or other museum endeavors. Must be original contributions to museums or the profession, and demonstrate contemporary knowledge of museum methods, theory and practice.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Restriction: admitted to M.A. Museum Studies or M.S. Museum Studies, and advisor approval.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Restriction: admitted to M.A. Museum Studies or M.S. Museum Studies.