 |
 |
|||
|
Course Offerings | |||
|
Foundation Course (required) Museums Today: Mission and Function (FAH 285) Laura Roberts, Principal, Roberts Consulting, Cambridge, MA, and Tufts visiting lecturer Cynthia Robinson, museum studies internship supervisor and Tufts visiting lecturer Museums in America are changing inside and out. New demands and expectations from various audiences—visitors, community, schools, donors—are challenging the way they organize their staffs, shape collections, and create exhibitions and programs. This course is an overview of the operations of museums in the 21st century. Topics include governance, planning, collecting, exhibitions, programming, technology, and finances. The course also examines some of the current issues challenging the field, such as the treatment of disputed cultural property, working with communities, and dealing with controversy. (fall) Electives Collections Care and Preservation (HIST 291/FAH 288) Ingrid A. Neuman, conservator in private practice, Berkshire Art Conservation, Newton, MA The preservation of materials found in museums and other cultural and historic institutions is the focus of this course. Topics include the chemical and physical nature of material culture, the agents of deterioration, preventive conservation strategies and protocol, proper care and handling of artifacts, and the appropriate cleaning and 'maintenance” of art objects and historic artifacts. The role of science within the field of conservation is explored. Students learn how to survey an art collection, establish a basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, prepare for and respond to an emergency, execute a written examination and condition report, and propose an artifact preservation plan. Practical knowledge of safe exhibition and storage techniques and materials is emphasized. The course includes trips to museums and conservation laboratories, and hands-on opportunities to learn about tools and equipment essential for photo-documenting artifacts and monitoring the museum environment. Prerequisite: FAH 285. (fall) Collections Management (FAH 284) Rainey Tisdale, Director of the Old State House Museum, Bostonian Society Every museum has a curator, registrar, or collections manager whose primary role is to oversee the use, management, and care of its collections. While types of collections may vary, these functions are critical to the success of all collecting institutions. This course examines the responsibilities of the curator collections manager, or registrar in documenting, researching, storing, and exhibiting objects. Students are exposed to various collection policies and registration methods, the acquisition process, loan procedures, and the numerous legal and ethical issues that surround accessioning and deaccessioning artifacts. Security, insurance, and access to and use of collections are also discussed. The class will make at least one site visit to view a collections storage facility at a local museum. Prerequisite: FAH 285. (spring) Curriculum Development for Museum-School Collaborations (ED 281) Jayne Gordon, Director of Public Programs/Education, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA Museum outreach programs serving school children and communities offer unique experiences to enhance learning. This course explores ways in which museums, national parks, and other cultural institutions can create partnerships with schools and communities to develop programs and curricula that highlight the value of the museum as a learning environment. Through an examination of the collaborative process, learning goals, curriculum frameworks, and methods for developing curriculum "kits," students work directly with museums and schools to develop projects that meet the diverse needs of educational institutions. Prerequisite: ED 280 or instructor's consent. (spring) Exhibition Planning HIST 289 - Kenneth Turino, exhibition manager, Historic New England, Boston, MA Cara Iacobucci, Tufts visiting lecturer FAH 287 - Amy Ingrid Schlegel, director of galleries and collections, Tufts University Learn the organization of an exhibition, from idea to opening reception and beyond. This course addresses issues specific to the temporary museum exhibition, such as priorities, deadlines, loan negotiations, installation requirements, evaluation, and curatorial and educational goals. Students select objects, arrange for loans, design and install the exhibition, create and implement a public relations campaign, write interpretive labels, and formulate and produce public programs. Prerequisites: FAH 285 and one other Museum Studies course. (spring) Historical Interpretation of Material Culture (HIST 290) Barbara McLean Ward, director/curator, Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden, Portsmouth, NH Have you ever wondered what sense archeologists will make of American society five hundred years from now? How would a scholar study a society if only durable objects remain? In this course, students explore methodologies for studying material culture—the objects of everyday life in their historical, economic, and cultural contexts—through exemplary analyses of objects made and used in America from the 17th century to the present. Short papers are designed to help students take a material culture approach to a research topic of their own choosing. The culmination of this research project, and the course, is a term paper in the form of an extensive grant proposal. Prerequisite: prior course work in history, art history, anthropology, or archeology. (spring) Museum History and Theory (FAH 160) Dean Andrew McClellan Art museums weren't born, they evolved. This course looks at the history and evolution of the art museum, from private collections to public institutions, and examines the evolution of museum design; the symbolic values of collections of art for individuals and societies; and the sociological and historical implications of the display of art objects. Also discussed are the problems facing contemporary museums: corporate funding, blockbuster exhibitions, and revisionist art history. (fall) Museum Education and Interpretation (ED 280) Laura Howick, Manager of Museum Interpretation, Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA Today, museums and cultural institutions are trying to overcome their image as boring and stuffy places, reach a broader audience, and retain their loyal visitors. This course explores how to make a museum visit engaging and meaningful for families, school and youth groups, people with disabilities, and adults. Through the examination of learning styles, multiple intelligences, and leisure interests, students review theories about the expectations and needs of museum visitors. The class also examines the interpretive methods available to museums: hands-on activities, self-teaching materials, technology, outreach, tours, and drama. As the course progresses, students develop a proposal for a public program. (fall) Museums and New Media (ED 191-14) Jim Olson, Coordinator of Technology, Davis Museum and Cultural Center, Wellesley College Could an iPhone change your museum visit? Technology-based museum initiatives encourage creative exploration, independent interpretation, multimedia contextualization, and improved information exchange in an engaging and entertaining way. They allow museums to enrich the experience of the visiting public while extending the boundaries of the institution to diverse and distant constituencies all over the world. This course will engage students in exploring the pedagogical, technical, legal, ethical, and financial issues of using state-of-the-art media resources in museum-audience interactions. Students will examine the role of technology in the museum today and learn to manage digital information, design interactive web-based projects, and even create their own podcast. (fall) Proseminar in Museum Education (ED 282) Cynthia Robinson, director of museum studies, museum studies internship supervisor and Tufts visiting lecturer Educators wear many hats! Expanding on the Museum Education and Interpretation course, this course covers some of the many skills and areas of expertise that museums educators are expected to have. Students will delve into interpretive methods, strategies, writing and planning, and will examine the development of teaching materials, education marketing materials, outreach programs, and programs for specific audiences. This course will also address aspects of museum education administration such as staff training and supervision, budgeting, and grant writing. (spring) Required Internship Museum Internship (FAH 289/HIST 292/ED 284) Cynthia Robinson, director of museum studies, museum studies internship supervisor and Tufts visiting lecturer Once a student has examined the administrative and financial operations of museums, discovered the multitude of ways to present educational information, and gained an understanding of collections management, the next step is applying this knowledge. The internship gives a student firsthand experience in museum work. It is generally a one-to-two semester, 200-hour intensive experience with specific projects and responsibilities arranged by the student, in collaboration with the internship supervisor, and the site supervisor. Most internships take place during the work week; evening and weekend internships can be difficult to arrange. Prerequisites: A minimum of three Museum Studies courses, one of which must be FAH 285, must be completed before beginning the internship. (fall, spring, summer) |
 |
|||
 |
Graduate Studies | Admissions | Campus Map & Directions | Tufts | Online Directory |
|||
© 2006. Tufts University, Museum Studies Certificate Program. All rights reserved.