Museums and Social Change

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Although museums are a commonplace institution in public life today, they have not always played such a significant role in our society. In this course, we will explore the history of public museums, and follow their establishment and rise to prominence over the past two centuries. In doing so, we’ll look at the vast diversity of museums, and learn about how the structure and mission of the public museum has been shaped by social, political, and economic forces. From art galleries to museums of natural history, we will ask how elements such as architecture, object acquisition, financing, and curatorial practice contribute to the impact that museums have today. We’ll consider the significant role that museums play in preserving and narrativizing our collective histories, and we’ll consider the impact that they can have on shaping our future.