AS.389.171.33

Explore Baltimore Museums

B’More Intersession

2017

Course Description

This field-trip based class explores exhibits and museums in Baltimore. Our goal is to become informed museum visitors, and to that end, we will be visitinga half-dozen museums in Baltimore(in the genres of art, history, science, nature) and talking with curators, conservators, educators, and exhibit designers to discover what happens behind the scenes. This brief intersession intends to offer a tasting menu rather than a comprehensive survey and as such it delves deeply into one or two main topics relevant to each museum type we visit.

In preparation for our visits, I have assigned readings about various aspects of museum life and culture. These readings should be done before each visit so you can ask better questions of our hosts. After each visit, I will ask you to write up or record orally your reflections of what you have learned, what you would like to know more about, the issues you would like to discuss in more detail. These essays, no more than 2 pages in length / 5 mn in voicethread, should demonstrate that you have read and listened closely, and that you have thought about the broader implications of what you have read and heard. Each will be due on the class day immediately following our visit.

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED WE MEET AT THE PURPLE CIRCULATOR STOP FOR FIELD TRIPS (on 33rd in front of Niwana)

Day 1Nature & Exhibit Design

Field Trip to the National Aquarium – behind the scenes tour

Meet for trip @1:45PM

  • Richard Flint, “American Showmen and European Dealers: Commerce in Wild Animals in 19th century America” New Worlds, New Animals: From Menagerie to Zoological Park in the Nineteenth Century. Edited by R. J. Hoage and W.A. Deiss, pp. 97-108
  • ElizabethHanson,Animal Attractions: Nature on Display in American Zoos,pp.130-bottom of 152 & bottom of 158 to 161 (Natural Setting chapter)

Day 2Public History

morning: Reginald F. Lewis Museum & community gallery (guest: educator Roni Jolley)

afternoon: Jewish Museum of Maryland & Lloyd St Synagogue (guest: Deborah Cardin)

  • Video: Dr. Walters (on Bbd)
  • Video: Dr. Martens (on Bbd)
  • J.R. Kinard, The Neighborhood Museum as a Catalyst for Social Change”, “C. Marsh, “A View from the Anacostia Museum Board”
  • Edward Linenthal. ”The Boundaries of Memory: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum”

Day 3 Science and Industry

Morning: Baltimore Museum of Industry (guest: director Anita Kassof)

Afternoon: Maryland Science Center (guest: educator TBD)

  • Video: Bill Leslie (on Blackboard)
  • Mickey Mouse History, “Progress Talk: Museums of Science, Technology and Industry”
  • Hilde Hein, “Teaching without Schooling, Learning without Experts”, Timothy Luke, “Strange Attractor: The Tech Museum of Innovation”

Day 4Art

Field Trip to BMA: African Galleries (guest: TBD)

Field Trip to Walters Art Museum: Islamic galleries and discussionw conservators

Topics: Exhibiting Dilemmas: the “Other”

  • Video: Dr. Millbourne on exhibiting African Art (Bbd)
  • Exhibiting the Middle East: Collections and Perceptions of Islamic Art: Ars Orientalis (2000): Roxburgh article pp. 9-38; Barry Wood article pp. 113-130

Community Service activity (being developed)