Museum Studies

Catalog description

An introduction to the professional activities that occur in art museums. ART 409 / ARTH 409 Museum Studies (3)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course introduces students to the broad field of art museum work, specifically museum administration, education, curatorial work, registration, and exhibition design. Readings by authors in each field provide current theoretical and philosophical frameworks for all areas, which are then followed by discussions and practical experiences with professional museum practitioners, including the staff of a museum, for example, the Palmer Museum of Art, and invited guests. Museum Studies is open to students who have complete six credits in art, art education, or art history. This course is especially beneficial for majors in art, art education, and art history who are considering a career in an art museum or who want to become more aware about how an art museum functions. In addition to providing an in-depth introduction to art museum work, the course encourages students to build the critical thinking and response skills that are crucial to success in the real-world environment of a museum. The readings provide a solid foundation for later reference or further study in the student's chosen field. Offered every spring, this course will have a maximum enrollment of 20 students. Grades are based on class participation, four out-of-class projects, and a final project. Extra credit is offered for an off-campus visit to a museum, among other options.