Prospectus

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Museums, Collections and Society

Course
2022-2023

Admission requirements

  • Bachelor's degree obtained;

  • Admission to the Master Archaeology or Master Art History programme.

Description

The role, function and purpose of museums in contemporary society has been the center of much debate during the past decades. This course contextualises that debate by focusing on important concepts and issues in museum theory and museum practices.

Themes that will be discussed in depth are: museums and society, materiality, collecting, classification, representation, authenticity, the digital, ethics, and restitution. Issues of inclusion will be extensively discussed throughout the course.

The aim of the course is to equip students with a solid theoretical framework to analyse museum collections and exhibitions.

Course set-up

The main set-up will be lectures, but during every lecture there will be ample time for discussions. If possible there will also be one assignment based on a museum visit.

Course objectives

  • To develop a critical understanding of museum processes and collection-based activities;

  • To give students a broad mindset, the basic concepts and tools to tackle cultural and museum issues, within a societal framework;

  • To describe the ways in which the meaning of museums is molded by the society in which they function.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.

Mode of instruction

Lectures, including discussion.

Assessment method

  • Paper of 1,800-2,000 words (100%).

Students can choose whether they prefer to focus on object biographies or exhibition analysis.

Assessment deadlines

All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button. To view the assessment deadline(s), make sure to select the course with a code ending in T and/or R.

The final paper is due 3 weeks after the end of the course.

Reading list

  • Bennett, Tony. 1995. The Birth of the Museum: History, Theory, Politics. Taylor and Francis: London;

  • Additional readings will be announced.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudymap is mandatory.

General information about registration can be found on the Course and Exam Enrolment page.

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.

All information (costs, registration, entry requirements, etc.) for those who are interested in taking this course as a Contractstudent is on the Contractonderwijs Archeologie webpage (in Dutch).

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact dr. M.E. (Martin) Berger.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.