Collections Care and Preventive Conservation (HIST 291/FAH 288)
Ingrid A. Neuman, Museum Conservator, Rhode Island School of Design
Museum
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: ED/FAH/HIST 285. (Spring – Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00pm)
Curatorial Approaches to Collections Management (FAH 0284)
Julia Courtney, Collections Curator, The Art Complex Museum,
Duxbury, MA
An introduction to the intersecting responsibilities of managing
a museum collection while making it accessible to public
audiences. The course addresses all aspects of collections
management from acquisition to deaccessioning, registration
documentation, creating collections and disaster plans,
collections storage, special collections, art and cultural
property crimes, provenance research, facility reports, loans,
exhibits and displays, as well as the intellectual control and
protection of collections. Students learn about collaborating
with artists and community members, managing loans, insurance,
and project administration, and explore access strategies such
as open storage, online databases and social media platforms
utilized to highlight collections. Guest speakers and field
trips connect classroom experience to current issues and
practices in the field. (Fall – Mondays, 6:00-9:00pm)
Exhibition Planning (HIST 215)
Kenneth Turino, Manager of Community Engagement and Exhibitions, Historic New
England, Boston
Matt Kirchman, owner of ObjectIDEA, an interpretive design
consultancy
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: ED/FAH/HIST 285 and one other Museum Studies
course. (Spring – Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00pm)
The Meaning of Things: Interpreting Material Culture (HIST 290)
George Schwartz, Curatorial Scholar, Peabody Essex Museum,
Salem, MA
This course explores the discipline of Material Culture Studies, or the analysis
and interpretation of objects. While the course will focus on American material
culture from the Colonial era to the present day, the methodologies presented
can be applied to artifacts from other cultures and time periods. The course
will employ a broad definition of the term "material culture" that includes
everything made by humans—archaeological fragments, automobiles, fine furniture,
tools, Barbies, trash. In his oft-cited essay "The Truth of Material Culture:
History or Fiction?" Jules David Prown writes, "the study of material culture is
the study of material to understand culture, to discover the beliefs—the values,
ideas, attitudes, and assumptions—of a particular community or society at a
given time." Through direct observation, analytical models, case studies, and
writing exercises, this course will introduce students to both the theory and
practice of understanding culture and history through artifacts. But we won't
stop there; we will also think critically and creatively about using objects to
educate, inspire, and challenge the public, in museum settings and beyond.
Prerequisites: ED/FAH/HIST 285. (Spring – Thursdays, 6:00-9:00pm)
Museum Education for K – 12 Audiences (ED 0281)
Tara Young, Independent Museum Consultant
Museums offer school groups unique experiences that enhance classroom learning and
instill the skills of life-long learning. This course explores ways in which museums
create on and off-site programs for the K -12 community of pupils, teachers and parents,
as well as home-schooled students, scouts, and other learning communities. Students will
examine Common Core Standards and other frameworks and will develop outcome-based curricula
that make use of museum resources. Partnerships with teachers and schools and professional
development programs for teachers will also be addressed. Guest speakers and field trips
connect classroom experience to current issues and practices in the field.
Prerequisites: ED/FAH/HIST0285 and ED0280. (Spring – Wednesdays,
6:00-9:00pm)
Museum Evaluation (ED 0287-A)
Joy Kubarek, Senior Research Associate, PEER Associates
This 6-week, online course will introduce students to contemporary issues
of evaluation in museums as well as evaluation theory, methodologies,
and implementation. Students will consider which evaluation strategy best
fits the research question and program type. They will explore research design,
protocol and ethics, measurement techniques, sampling, data analysis and
interpretation, and reporting. The goal of the course is to equip both emerging
and seasoned museum professionals with the skills to plan, manage, and
utilize evaluation studies. (Summer: May 22-June 28, 2019)
Museum History and Theory (FAH 0160)
Andrew McClellan, Professor of Art and Art History, Advisor
– Art History concentration
This course aims to make you an astute and informed consumer of
the most powerful and pervasive art institutions: the art
museum. Alternating segments on museum history, theory, and
contemporary practice provide a critical framework to understand
how and why art museums have evolved over time and function
today, how they work ideologically in society, and why they
generate controversy. Weekly topics will consider the most
pressing issues facing museums today. Guest lecturers bring
fresh perspectives from professionals in the field. (Fall –
Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:00 pm)
Museums and Digital Media (ED 0286)
Dana Allen Greil, Director of Digital Strategy at the
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Digital technologies are transforming the ways museums reach and
engage audiences, both inside and outside of their buildings.
Museums of all types are grappling with the challenges and
opportunities presented by digital transformation, including
shifts in authority, transparency, accessibility, ownership,
interactivity, and attention. This online course provides an
overview of digital strategy in museums today, with a focus on
interpretive applications for education, exhibitions, marketing,
and scholarship purposes. Students practice matching desired
outcomes to appropriate technology solutions and will plan and
test a digital project idea through hands-on application of
user-centered design techniques. Guest speakers connect the
learning experience to current issues and practices in the
field, including technology failures and lessons learned. (Fall
– Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m., online)
Philanthropy and Fundraising (UEP 191-B)
Barbara Silberman, Independent Museum Professional
Overview of history and practice of organized philanthropy and
fundraising concepts. Examination of opportunities and
constraints of the various philanthropic sectors and the role of
private philanthropic support in healthy nonprofit
organizations. Strategic models and specific fundraising tools
for planning and managing a sustainable nonprofit organization.
Topics include funding strategy and research proposal
development, private foundations, public foundations, corporate
foundations and corporate giving and individual donors. (Summer 2021 ONLINE
– Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-9:30pm)
Proseminar in Museum Interpretation (ED 0282)
Cynthia Robinson, Director of Museum Studies
All visitor experiences in museums are
mediated by the choices museum professionals make in the selection,
interpretation, contextualization, and presentation of collections in
exhibitions and programs. Students will interpret scholarship for a variety of
audiences, examine strategies for interpreting difficult topics, and consider
interactives that stimulate meaning-making. Students will also
delve into strategies for facilitating community conversations
and sharing authority in the creation of exhibitions, programs
and projects. Because this is a seminar, a forum for discussion
that prepares students for the professional world, we may modify
the topics to suit student interests, needs, and expertise.
Prerequisites: ED/FAH/HIST0285 and ED0280. (Spring – Mondays,
6:00-9:00pm)
Revitalizing Historic House Museums (HIST 0289A)
Ken Turino, Manager of Community Engagement and Exhibitions at Historic New
England
Barbara Silberman, Independent Museum Professional
This course will address the challenges facing historic house
museums today, including declining attendance, costly
maintenance problems, and inadequate resources for collections
care. Students will learn about the history of the historic
house movement, the value of research, and the benchmarks of
sustainability. Through case studies, they will investigate new
approaches that address community interests and needs, creative
ways to repurpose sites, and experimental strategies for
engaging visitors through new exhibit techniques. (Summer 2021 ONLINE –
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00-9:30pm)
Teaching and Learning in the Museum (ED 0280)
Cynthia Robinson, Director of Museum Studies
An introduction to theories and practices of visitor engagement in the
free-choice and life-long learning environments of museums. Students explore
learning styles and characteristics of various audiences, including families,
teens, people with disabilities, early learners and adults, and consider their
motivations, expectations and needs when in museums. Using learning theories,
knowledge of audience, and museum objects, students experiment with a variety of
strategies to scaffold and assess engagement. Guest speakers and field trips
connect classroom experience to current issues and practices in the field.
(Fall – Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00pm)
Course days and times subject to change.
