Museums and the Management of Mesoamerican Art

Museums act as both a window into the world and a reflection of the cultures that create them. The way in which museums create, organize, and present their collections communicates a message that visitors absorb, whether consciously or subconsciously. In this seminar, students explore how museums both at home and abroad have engaged with objects from the ancient Americas, with particular emphasis on Mesoamerica. Topics of discussion include museum collection practices, repatriation, forgery and authenticity, multicultural representation, and curation and exhibition practices. At the end of the semester, students will submit a virtual exhibit they have designed themselves, along with an essay that justifies their object and design choices.