Admission requirements
See Teaching and Examination Regulations
Description
This course is part of the MA specialization Museums and Collections, and will introduce students to the history and theory of Early Modern collections and collecting cultures.
In the Early Modern period, Kunst- & Wunderkammern and other collections of naturalia and artificialia were crucial in the shaping, production and transmission of knowledge in Europe. We will discuss key concepts (such as “wonder”, “curiosity”, “emblematic world view”, “exotic” and others) and look at contemporary sources pertinent to the understanding of the culture of collecting and research in this field. We will focus on textual and visual images of collections and objects of knowledge and their conceptual, historical and iconographical meanings and functions.
Course objectives
At the end of the course:
students can demonstrate an understanding of this history and theory of early modern collecting;
students will understand and trace the development in the visualisation of collections and objects of knowledge;
students will be able to formulate a set of research questions and hypotheses on a chosen subject in this field;
Futhermore:
students will present their research in both a presentation and research paper.
Research Master students that take this course will write a paper that reflects the demands of the Research Master. That is, they will have to formulate more complex and original research questions than the MA students, include a critical positioning towards the state of the art of its subject, and produce a longer paper (6000 words excluding annotations and bibliography instead of 5000 words).
Timetable
Please consult the timetable on the MA Arts and Culture website.
Mode of instruction
Seminar meetings and (t.b.a.) excursion.
Attendance is compulsory. Students are allowed to miss a maximum of two seminars, provided they present a valid reason beforehand. Students who have missed more than two seminars will have to apply to the Examination Board of the MA Arts and Culture in order to obtain permission to further follow and complete the course.
Course Load
Total course load for the course 10 ec x 28 hours = 280 hours (10 ec):
attending seminars: 12 × 3 = 36 hours;
preparation seminars (incl. reading): 12 × 8 = 96 hours;
research, preparation presentation and writing of paper: 148 hours.
Assessment method
Class participation and individual presentation (20%);
Research paper, 5000 words (80%).
Weighing
The individual presentation and the research paper should be a 6.0 or higher to pass the course. The final grade for the course is established by determination of the weighted average.
Resit
The re-sit consists of two parts: a rewrite of the paper (80%) and/or an alternative assignment (20%).
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used throughout the course for announcements, reading materials, discussions and assignments.
Reading list
- Eilean Hooper-Greenhill, Museums and the Shaping of Knowledge, Routledge: London & New York 1992 and reprints.
All other reading materials will made avalaible electronically.
Registration
Students are required to register for this course via uSis, the course registration system of Leiden University. General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch.
Exchange and Study Abroad students: Please see the website Study in Leiden for information on how to apply/register for this course.
Students who are not in the MA Arts and Culture programme, but who would like to take this course as an optional course, please contact Drs. E.C. Munter the co-ordinator of studies.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Remarks
Not applicable.
Contact information
Mw. Dr. M. (Marika) Keblusek
Administrations Office Huizinga