167744

Museums and the Public

An examination of the philosophy, strategies and practical processes of effectively interpreting and communicating museum programmes for a variety of audiences.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

167744

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

700-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

30

Subject

Museum Studies

Course planning information

General progression requirements

You may enrol in a postgraduate course (that is a 700-, 800- or 900-level course) if you meet the prerequisites for that course and have been admitted to a qualification which lists the course in its schedule.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Analyse the broad shifts in museum philosophy and practice which have occurred over the last thirty years and to analyse the impact on museums and their diverse communities.
  • 2 Examine and explain concepts of ownership and authority in relation to museum practice and critical museology.
  • 3 Critically assess the role of the museum in contemporary society.
  • 4 Research and document profiles of the community, museum visitors and non-visitors.
  • 5 Analyse the theoretical base concerning cultural representations, equity, access and participation in museum programmes.
  • 6 Demonstrate an applied understanding of the concepts and processes associated with exhibition development.
  • 7 Demonstrate and applied understanding of learning experiences in museums as a specialised form of communication and interpretation through the creation of a public programme.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 5 50%
Portfolio 1 3 6 7 50%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

Textbooks can change. We recommend you wait until at least seven weeks before the semester starts to buy your textbooks.

Recommended

MUSEUMS & COMMUNITIES: THE POLITICS OF PUBLIC CULTURE.

Author
KARP, I., KREAMER, C & LAVINE, S (EDS)
Edition
1992
Publisher
Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press

EXHIBITING CULTURES: THE POETICS & POLITICS OF MUSEUM DISPLAY

Author
KARP, I, & LAVINE, S (EDS)
Edition
1991
Publisher
Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press

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