Programs by Campus
Indianapolis
Museum Studies
Courses
Curriculum
Courses
Faculty
- MSTD–A 503 Introduction to Museum Studies (3 cr.) This survey of museology introduces students to the history of museums and to debates on the philosophical nature of museums and their roles in society. The course covers the types and definitions of museums, traces the history of museums, discusses contemporary museum practice and examines current issues in the museum profession.
- MSTD–A 505 Museum Methods (3 cr.) This survey of museum practice introduces students to methods, skills, and resources in three areas of museum work: artifacts, interpretation, and organizational administration, as well as to the ethical ramifications of these methods (course does not count toward the Master’s degree, but it does count toward the graduate certificate).
- MSTD–A 508 Museum Internship (1–6 cr.) P: A503 and two other museum studies graduate courses or consent of the instructor. An arranged learning experience in museum work appropriate to individual career goals, focusing on an aspect of museum practice and working with a museum mentor. May be repeated for credit.
- MSTD–A 510 Museum Education (3 cr.) P: A503 or consent of instructor. This survey of museum education introduces students to a variety of professional skills through exercises, projects, museum visitor observation, and in-museum classes. It covers education theory most central to museum practice, the duties of museum educators, and current issues in museum education. (Core course)
- MSTD–A 512 Exhibit Planning and Design (3 cr.) P: A503 or consent of instructor. This course offers a survey of museum exhibit planning and design through an integration of theory and practice. The class introduces students to exhibit development, including exhibit administration, design, and evaluation, and to a variety of professional skills through hands-on exercises, exhibit critiques, museum observations, and in-museum classes. (Core course)
- MSTD–A 514 Museums and Technology (3 cr.) P: A503 or consent of instructor. This course surveys the growing use of technology in museums. It examines applications for information management in collections, conservation science, and archives. It examines critically the use of technology in the service of education both in exhibit contexts and in the variety of educational programs and Web-based dissemination of knowledge.
- MSTD–A 516 Collections Care and Management (3 cr.) P: A503 or consent of instructor. A survey of techniques for the management and care of collections in museums. It covers documentation, management of collections, processes, administrative functions, risk management, and ethical and legal issues. The course also covers the physical care and conservation of collections. (Core course)
- MSTD–A 518 Museums and Audiences (3 cr.) P: A503 or consent of instructor. This course examines the ways museums seek to better understand their audiences, serve them more effectively, and strive to reach new audiences. The course looks at a broad range of visitor studies and the ways in which museums and audiences interact.
- MSTD–A 530 Museum Colloquium (3 cr.) This course provides graduate students with the tools and knowledge necessary to assess, understand, and utilize the links among their education, goals, and museum career opportunities.
- MSTD–A 548 Museum Administration (3 cr.) This course presents an overview of issues faced by administrators and mid-level managers who work in museums, historical societies, archives, special collection libraries, and other cultural resource agencies. Topics, speakers, and readings are focused on issues that are unique to agencies that collect, preserve, and interpret cultural resources. (Core course)
- MSTD–A 560 Current Topics in Museum Studies (3–9 cr.) Intensive graduate-level study and analysis of selected topics in museum studies. Topics will vary from semester to semester. Includes topical courses such as Museum Theatre, Curatorial Practices, Museum Communication Strategies, Museums and Sustainability, Museum Ethics, Museums and Indigenous People, African-American Museums, Archaeological Curation. May be repeated three times for 9 credits.
- MSTD–A 595 Independent Learning in Museum Studies (1–9 cr.) A supervised, in-depth examination through individual reading and research on a particular Museum Studies topic selected and conducted by the student in consultation with a faculty member. May be repeated three times for 9 credits.
