This course will enable students in the Liberal Arts program to undertake intensive study in a particular theme in the field of Museums and Collections through a combination of seminars, workshops and prescribed readings.

Course aims:

Specific course aims will be formulated prior to the commencement of each teaching period in consultation between the lecturer and program convener to ensure that they are most suited to the particular theme of enquiry that is presented within the course. The specified course aims will be consistent with and contribute to the Liberal Arts program aims, so it may be said that on having successfully completed an intensive study of a particular theme in Museums and Collections research, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Synthesise and articulate key concepts in the various disciplines that contribute to the field of museum studies, and demonstrate effective interdisciplinary thinking.

2. Apply methodological, conceptual and analytic tools to advanced level research into museums or collections.

3. Utilize a range of museological practices and techniques required for professional contexts in the cultural and collecting sectors, including effective written or verbal communication appropriate to audience and context.

4. Model best practice and have a commitment to ethical, reflective practice in museum work and analysis.

Learning outcomes:

As with course aims, specific skills objectives will be formulated prior to the commencement of each teaching period in consultation between the lecturer and program convener to ensure that they are most suited to the particular theme of enquiry that is presented within the course. They will be consistent with and contribute to the student skills objectives of the Liberal Arts program and will aims to develop:

1.     skills in written and verbal expression for a variety of relevant academic and / or professional purposes.

2.     skills in interdisciplinary thinking and the ability to apply theoretical ideas to case studies developed from personal observation.

3.     skills required for humanities research and museum work. This includes data-collection, analysis, and verbal and written presentation at the standard of a postgraduate degree.

4.     an understanding and a basic set of the skills, standards and protocols required for working in and with the cultural and collecting sector.

5000 words of written assessment or project-based work to be specified at the commencement of each teaching period.