Museum Scholarship and Material Culture
Introductory Class
Winter, 2017
Mondays, 4:00-6:30 p.m., 1131 Woods Hall
Mary Alexander, instructor, (; 202-309-9564)
Office Hours: Mondays 1:00-3:00 p.m., 1106 Woods Hall
Course Description:
The purpose of this class will be to introduce students to museum practice emphasizing research roles and scholarly considerations. Topics will include the history of museums, evolving collections priorities, exhibition strategies (on site and virtual), and will encompass current issues, both public and scholarly. Students will gain an understanding of museums as educational institutions and their standing within the broader cultural milieu.
The opening class sessions will create a working definition of “museum” for students to use as a touchstone in their research, writing assignments and class discussions. Class sessions will offer an overview of current museum practices, especially as they relate to learning and scholarship.
Students will pursue three individual assignments in the course of the semester.
(1)Review of The Participatory Museumor The Art of Relevance Nina Simon
Your review should address how the book’s concepts affect museum scholarship. Format: written essay, limited to 5 pages. Due in class February 27, 2017
(2) Create a “profile” of an individual or institution influential in museum practice Formats: written essay, limited to 5 pages; lightening talk for class (10 minutes)
Due: dates will vary based on classroom presentation schedule.
(3) Select one of three topics to be discussed in class (March 13-April 17). Read broadly about the topic. Create a bibliography for this topic, selecting one or two “must read” options for your classmates. Lead class discussions of the topic ensuring that class time addresses issues that you have determined to be most critical. Due April 24, 2017: Final essay on the topic(5-7 pages with bibliography). Schedule to meet with Ms. Alexander to discuss concepts, organization, issues.
Classes will convene in Classroom 1131 at Woods Hall unless otherwise indicated. Mary Alexander will lead all class sessions with assistance from other museum professionals. Several classes will meet off campus at venues accessible to public transportation.
Calendar
January 30 Woods Hall, Room 1131
Class discussion of what is a Museum?
Individual assignment
Guest: Dr. Judith Freidenberg, Director, Museum Certificate Program
February 6 NationalMuseum of Natural History [Constitution Avenue entrance]
Exhibit visit and discussion What are museums’ purposes? What’s the role of curators?
Guest Speakers, Dan Rogers, Curator; Randi Korn, Intentional Practice Leader, Randi Korn and Associates
Readings: Korn,R. “Holistic Intentionality,” Curator, Vol. 50 #2, pp.255-264
MiM Chapters 1 & 3;
February 13“Frederick Douglass and Wye House: Archaeology and African American Culture in Maryland”Hornbake Library
Class will visit and discuss current exhibition and how that example reflects early discussions and considerations. We will be joined by Dr. Mark Leone, who created the exhibition.
Reading: MiM Chapter 10 & 11; Kathy McLean, “Whose Questions, Whose Conversations?” Letting Go? Sharing Historical Authority in a User-Generated World, PewCenter for Arts and Heritage, Philadelphia, PA, 2011
February 20 University Marriott
The SmallMuseum Association will be meeting at the University Marriott (February 19-21). Attend panel discussion: “Making Use of all Hands, including Interns” (3:45-6:00). This session will feature a discussion of museum internships and be followed by activities highlighting the Certificate Program and providing an opportunity for networking.
February 27Phillips Collection; 1600 21st Street, NW, WDC [Red Line Dupont Circle, exit Q Street]
ASSIGNMENT DUE
Review of The ParticipatoryMuseumor The Art of Relevence Nina Simon (available on line)
What is Museum Interpretation? Phillips Collection staff will introduce class to elements of interpretive practice in the museum and engage in an exercise relating to their new orientation space.
Guest Speaker: Kelley Daley, Manager of Public Engagement, Phillips Collection
Review The Phillips Collection website offerings [phillipscollection.org]. Familiarize yourself with how a visitor would prepare to visit the Phillips
Freeman Tilden Principles
Reading: MiM Chapter 10 & 11; Stephen Weil, From Being about Something to Being for Somebody: The Ongoing Transformation of the AmericanMuseum* Daedalus, 1999;
March 6 Woods Hall 1131
Profile
Curatorial “issues” (collections, research, job options)
Guest Speakers: Jon West Bey, Curator, Arts Program, University College; Samantha Dorsey, Curator of Collections, Gunston Hall, VA; Tabitha Pryor, Curator of Collections, Banneker Douglass Museum, Annapolis, MD;Maria Martinez, National Museum of the American Indian
Barbara Franco, “The HistoryMuseum Curator of the 21st Century,” History News, Summer 1996, p 6-10. “An interview with Eric Foner, The Historian in the Museum,” Museum News, November, 2009
MiM, Chapter 8
March 13 Woods Hall 1131
Profile
Museums and Audiences**
Guest Speaker: Max van Balgooy
Reading:
Bonnie Pitman, “Muses, Museums and Memories,” Daedalus, 1999
Almquist, Eric et al. “The Elements of Value: Measuring—and Delivering—What Consumers Really Want.” Harvard Business Review 94, no. 9 (September 2016): 47-53.
Kotler, Neil and Philip Kotler. “Can Museums be All Things to All People?: Missions, Goals, and Marketing’s Role.” Museum Management and Curatorship 18, no. 3 (2000): 271-287.
Tilden, Freeman. “The Visitor’s First Interest.” In Interpreting Our Heritage (1957): 11-17.
March 27 National Air and SpaceMuseum
Museums and Technology**
Guest Speaker: Tim Grove, Education Specialist, National Air and SpaceMuseum
Reading: MiM Chapters 4 & 5; Horizon Report Museum Edition (2016
Phillips, L.B., “The Temple and the Bazaar: Wikipedia as a Platform for Open Authority in Museums,” Curator, Vol. 56, #2, pp. 219-235
April 3 Woods Hall 1131
Profile
Museums and Collections--Who Cares?
Reading: MiM Chapter 8; Elaine Heumann Gurian, “The Many Meanings of Objects in Museums,”
Daedalus, 1999; Chris Gosden & Yvonne Marshall, “The Cultural Biography of Objects,” World Archaeology, Vol. 31(2), 169-178.
MiM, Chapter 8 & 9
April 10 Phillips Collection1600 21st Street, NW, WDC [Red Line Dupont Circle, exit Q Street]
Introduction to University of Maryland Center for Art and Knowledge at The Phillips Collection. Examples and discussion of curatorial decisions made by Phillips Collection staff and researchers
Guest speaker: Kathryn Rogge, Manager of Academic Programs and Phillips Music
Reading: MiM Chapter 2; Maxwell L. Anderson, “Prescriptions for Art Museums in the Decade Ahead,” Curator, January 2007;
April 17
Woods Hall 1131
Profile
Museums and Social Action**
Guest Speaker: Gretchen Jennings
Reading: Background on The Empathetic Museum project EmpatheticMuseum website:
EmpatheticMuseum Maturity Model Rubric (bring to class)
Empathetic Maturity Model Instructions bring to class
Anderson, S. (Cairns). Museum Geek Blog. Can Institutions Be Empathetic?
Jennings, G. Museum Commons Blog. Can Museums Be Empathetic? Yes!
Jennings, G. 2015. The #museumsrespondtoFerguson initiative, A necessary conversation. Museums and Social Issues (10/2) 97-105.
Fleming, D., “Do Museums Change Lives?” Curator,Vol.59, #2, pp73-79.
April 24 Woods Hall 1131
What is a museum anyhow?
MiM, Chapter 12
Packer, J., & Bond, N, “Museums at Restorative Environments,” Curator, Vol.53, #4, pp. 421-436
May 1 Woods Hall 1131
Profiles
Final Project—Practical elements of creating an orientation space for the Phillips Collection
May 8 Woods Hall 1131
Project presentation to Phillips Collection staff
** Student leadership of discussion
Required reading: Museums in Motion: An Introduction to the History and Functions of Museums, Edward P. Alexander and Mary Alexander, Altamira Press, 2008
Student responsibilities
1. Complete readings and attend class prepared to participate in discussions. Most readings are available electronically through ELMS.
2. Profile of museum leader or institution written (5 pages) and Lightning presentation to class (10 minutes). The presentations will occur throughout the semester, schedule to be determined.
3. Book review, The Participatory Museum or the Art of Relevance (Nina Simon). What are the scholarly issues raised by either of these books? Maximum length: 5 pages, double spaced.
Due: February 20, 2017
4. Small group of students will lead class discussion of selected topic. Week before presentation post “must read” article or chapter on ELMS. Classroom presentation may include (a) guided discussion of must read recommendation; (2) Selected highlights from your research into the topic (3) debate of different perspectives on the topic or discussion of special issues raised by your reading.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead class, annotated bibliography, written summary of issues resulting from your research into the topic [Maximum 5-7 pages double spaced]. Meet with Ms. Alexander to organize your thinking and classroom plans.
Research paper due April 24, 2017
Grading criteria
1. Weekly class participation25%
2. Profile20%
3. Book Review20%
4. Classroom topical presentation35%
Class expectations
1. Attendance
2. Attention to class readings, discussions and individual assignments.
3. Respect for your classmates as they participate and at times lead the class activities.
4. Personal appointment with instructor. You may also contact Ms. Alexander by email.
For UMD course-related policies see