ARTH1007

This class provides an introduction to museum studies in both theory and practice, with frequent reference to actual examples drawn from the long history of collecting and display. Beginning with a global overview of collecting and exhibitions, students will learn about the rise of modern museums in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and their roots in private, monarchical, and religious contexts of keeping and curating objects. Different theories of curation and exhibition design will be introduced and discussed, using both historical and contemporary exhibitions as examples. Throughout the semester, and especially in two intensive units, students will be introduced to the wide variety of museum jobs that sustain the profession today. These include an array of fields, including: curatorial, object registrars, preparatorship, education and outreach, and public relations. Working professionals from museums in the Twin Cities will join us throughout the semester, providing students with a practical introduction to these careers.

Periodic Fall