Traditional museums, where collecting and collections had first place and visitors were passive observers, have given way to vibrant institutions engaged with society, responsive to various audiences, and focused on new modes of communication. Investigating the idea of the museum as contested ground, where different viewpoints vie to be heard, this course re-evaluates whether national museums provide symbols of nationhood and local museums expressions of community values, and examines the complex and shifting relationships between museums and the diverse communities they serve.

Key course topics:

• The new museology and national museums
• Community collaboration and the representation of diversity
• Collections assessment and significance

Course aims:

On completing this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical, political, institutional and cultural frameworks for contemporary museum practice in Australia and internationally;

2. Synthesise key concepts from the various disciplines that contribute to the field of Museum Studies and apply theoretical ideas to specific situations and case studies;

3. Demonstrate effective communication and independent conceptual thinking relevant to the field of museum-focused research; and

Demonstrate ongoing engagement with the contemporary cultural and collecting sector in Canberra and overseas through critical appraisal of actual and virtual, sites, exhibitions, collecting policies and audience engagement.

Learning Outcomes:

1.     To gain skills in written and verbal expression for a variety of relevant professional and academic purposes that include essays, collections assessments, funding applications, proposals for exhibitions and public programs, and interpretive text.

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

3.     To gain 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.

Exhibition review (20% / 800 wds); Comparative essay and in-class presentation (50% / 3000 wds); and Significance Assessment (30% / 1200 wds).

Entry to the course requires the permission of the Course Coordinator.

Elaine Heumann Gurian (2006) Civilizing the Museum: the collected writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian. London: Routledge.

Bettina Messias Carbonell (ed) (2004) Museum Studies: An Anthology of Contexts. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing.