Museums Today: Mission and Function

(Cross-listed as HIST 285 and FAH 285). Museums in America are changing inside and out. New demands and expectations from various audiences - visitors, community, schools, donors - are challenging the way they organize their staffs, shape collections, and create exhibitions and programs. This course is an overview of the operations of museums in the 21st century. Topics include governance, planning, collecting, exhibitions, programming, technology, and finances. The course also examines some of the current issues challenging the field, such as the treatment of disputed cultural property, working with communities, and dealing with controversy. Fall.