Intro to Museum Studies

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course will examine the theory and practice of museum work. It will consider theories of objects and collections, as well as specific problems in museums studies, such as repatriation, collection and display of non-western material, and accessibility. The course will also introduce students to the core museum functions, including education, development, administration, curating, and collections management. Our focus will be on history, art, and cultural museums, but topics in science and house museums will also be discussed. The class will take two Friday visits (recommended, but not required) to the National Museum of African American History and the National Museum of the American Indian’s Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, one required, in-class site visit to Dumbarton House, and at least one assigned out-of-class visit to an area museum. No prior knowledge of art history or museums is required.