HIS/ARC
598 Museum Studies
William H. Mulligan, Jr.
Fall 2002
Office: Faculty Hall 6B8
Phone: X6571
bill.mulligan@murraystate.edu
Office Hours: M-F 8:30-9:30; M-W-F 10:30-11:30; T TH 11:00-12:15
Class Meets: T Th 2:00-3:15 in FH 506
Aug. 22 Introduction to the Course Aug. 27 - Sept. 17 Unit I: Background: Museums and Society
tba Guest Lecturer
tba Guest Lecturer Definitions of a Museum Burcaw, 13-23. http://www.city.ac.uk/artspol/mus-def.html The History of Museums Burcaw, 24-36. Museums in American Society Burcaw, 37-55; Part III. Museums and Controversy TPH, see index Sept. 19 - Oct. 1 Unit II: Collections: Practice and Policy Collection Policies And Procedures Burcaw, 56-101. Reibel, all. TPH, see index Caring for Historical Materials Burcaw, 102-117. MacLeish, all. TPH, see index Oct. 3- 22 Unit III: Exhibits and Interpretation Designing and Planning the Museum Exhibit Burcaw, Part II. Ames, all. TPH, see index Installing the Exhibit TPH, see index Completing the Exhibit Process TPH, tba Oct. 24 - 31 Unit IV: Educational Programs and Activities Planning and Evaluating the Visitor Experience Burcaw, chpt. 15. TPH, see index Bibliography on Visitor Studies: http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/cwmeng/cwmreeng.html Educational Programs Burcaw, Chpt. 16. TPH, see index Nov. 5 - 19 Unit V: Administration The Business of Museums Burcaw, chpts. 19-20. TPH, see index http://www.icom-mpr.com Museum Law Burcaw, chpt. 21. Working with Boards TPH, see index The Museum of the Future TPH, see index Cultural Tourism Bibliography: http://www.ucalgary.ca/~clres/culturaltourism/bibliography/html Nov. 21 - 26 Wrap Up Dec. 3 -5 Presentations of Semester Project
There will be one exam, the final exam. It will be a take home exam distributed in late November and due Dec. 11.
1 . Each student will sign on to the Museum discussion list (Museum-L) and monitor the list during the semester. Near the end of the semester students will turn in a copy of the acknowledgment of their signing on to the list, signing off the list, and a journal covering what is discussed on the list and assessing its value for museum professionals. Instructions for doing this and establishing an e-mail account at the university will be distributed in class. DUE: NOV. 21
2 . Each student will visit 10 (ten) museum home pages on the World Wide Web and write a review of the sites visited that includes an assessment of the usefulness of the World Wide Web, including home pages and other aspects, for museums. DUE DATE: OCT. 31
3. Visit one museums and write a detailed, 5-10 page review of the main exhibit or tour, assess the overal physical spatial arrangement of the museum, and compliance with ADA for each museum visited. You should also discuss directional signage and any other relevant issues. DUE DATE: OCT. 31
4 . Each student will be part of a team that will complete a major project at an area museum. Details about projects available will be distributed and assignments made in the first class. The project will involve preparing a report that meets professional standards and a 30 minute presentation in class that fully covers all aspects of the project. Reports and presentations should include appropriate graphics. Each team will consult with the instructor regularly during the semester. More details will be distributed and discussed during the semester. DUE DATE: DEC. 3 or 5
5. Keep a journal of any field trips we take that discusses and evaluates
the trip. DUE DATE: NOV. 21
Grading Course grades will be based on the final exam (100 points), the term project (100 points), museum review (50 points each), e-mail journal (50 points), the web site reviews (50 points), field trip journals (50 points).
A = 90% or higher; B = 80% or higher, C = 70% or higher, D = 60% or higher, E = Less than 60%.
Field Trips We will try to schedule three field trips to area museums to see actual museum practice. We will schedule these on days that are compatible with the schedules of class members.
Attendance Policy Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Three unexcused absences are permitted. For every two additional unexcused absences the final grade will be reduced by one letter grade, (i.e. from A to B.)
Absences will be excused for the following reasons: participation in a university-sanctioned activity or program; death in the family or other family emergency; serious illness with a doctor's note; jury duty; military obligation; or weather emergency making travel dangerous.
Students are also expected to attend the entire class and remain awake. Arriving late, leaving early, or dozing off will count as an unexcused absence, except in highly unusual circumstances. Students are responsible for all material presented in classes they miss or changes in the course schedule that are announced in class whether their absence is excused or unexcused.
Students who require special arrangements for exams or in-class presentations must make such arrangements themselves at least one week prior to the exam or presentation. Students with a valid excuse for missing an exam or in-class presentation are responsible for informing the instructor as soon as possible, but no later than the day following the exam or presentation.
University policy on class attendance will be followed.
Academic Honesty Policy It is expected that each
student will only submit their own original work on exams and all written
assignments. The College of Humanities and Fine Arts' policy on academic
honesty and university policy will be followed.
revised 8-15-2002