Courses
Museum Studies
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Museum Theatre and Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth look at the use of museum theatre and live interpretation in museum settings to advance the educational mission and nature of museums. The class examines theatrical techniques, program development and management, and interpretation approaches for a wide variety of museum exhibits and audiences. Students will observe, develop, and implement original museum theatre and interpretation projects as a synthesis and practical application of the knowledge gained. The course will include field visits and observations of various techniques in museum theatre and live interpretation.
- 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.
- MSTD-A 508 Museum Internship (1-6 cr.) P: A503 and two other museum studies graduate courses or consent of the instructor. Authorization of the instructor required. 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 a total of 9 credit hours.
- MSTD-A 510 Museum Education (3 cr.) 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.
- MSTD-A 512 Exhibit Planning and Design (3 cr.) 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.
- MSTD-A 514 Museums and Technology (3 cr.) 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 Managements (3 cr.)
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.
- MSTD-A 518 Museums and Audiences (3 cr.)
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 career opportunities. It supports graduate students approaching the end of their degree program in 1) exploring the connections between the museum knowledge they have mastered and the skills they have developed, 2) framing and articulating their knowledge and skills as well as their vocational goals to others, including prospective employers, 3) developing critical competencies for community-focused museum work, and 4) creating professional plans as they transition into or advance in the work force or pursue further education.
- MSTD-A 548 Museum Colloquium (3 cr.) This course presents a broad overview of issues that administrators who work in museums, historical societies, archives, special collection libraries, and other cultural resource agencies experience in their careers. Note: this course is offered in alternate years by museum studies as MSTD A548 and by history as HIST H548. Museum studies students may take either number to fulfill their core requirement.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics in Museum Studies (3 cr.) Intensive graduate-level study and analysis of selected topics in museum studies. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Museum Theatre and Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth look at the use of museum theatre and live interpretation in museum settings to advance the educational mission and nature of museums. The class examines theatrical techniques, program development and management, and interpretation approaches for a wide variety of museum exhibits and audiences. Students will observe, develop, and implement original museum theatre and interpretation projects as a synthesis and practical application of the knowledge gained. The course will include field visits and observations of various techniques in museum theatre and live interpretation.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: : Interpreting Sustainable Landscapes and Live Collections (3 cr.) The course will examine the construction of nature as a cultural expression, ideas of sustainability, environment and landscape and their value as cultural spaces. We will examine how they are selected, cared for, interpreted and engaged by the public. Local live collections of plants, animals and landscapes will be visited and examined; including visits to public and community gardens, zoos and agricultural sites and park lands. An opportunity for interpretive planning exists at several locations within Indianapolis.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: : Collections Research and Survey (3 cr.)
Privileging the collection and facilities of The Madame Walker Theatre Center, students will survey the contents of the building and create accurate records of historic and artistic objects with full descriptions, condition assessments, and high-resolution photographs. This material will be assembled into a newly-created electronic database. At the same time, students will conduct in-depth research about individual items and share this information with the Walker’s blog, and other online venues.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: : Display: Theories, Issues, Practices (3 cr.)
Through the examination of both onsite and virtual exhibitions this course will explore different display methodologies and their respective benefits and issues. Students will learn to identify organizational missions and determine if exhibitions successfully meet established criteria. Exhibitions will be discussed in the context of meeting educational, marketing and fiscal goals for organizations among other standards.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Cultural Heritage (3 cr.) This course explores a variety of issues related the stewardship of cultural property on a local and global scale. Through readings, case studies, discussion, and a semester-long project, students will explore ethical, economic, legal, political, and pragmatic issues related to tangible and intangible heritage and will increase their understanding of the practices and processes of cultural heritage management.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Exhibit Design and Planning Studio: (Applied learning with community client/partners) (3 cr.) This class is an applied learning course based on a professional design studio model. Work completed in this course is experiential, client-based work with specific outcomes and deliverables. The course builds on the basic skills and applications learned in Exhibit Design and Planning 1, with an emphasis on refining and developing the storytelling and interpretive capacity of exhibition design and its relationship to visual and three-dimensional form, light, and materials. Students will engage an exploration of three- dimensional structure and form in relation to constructing meaning, as well as developing an understanding of a vocabulary of materials to add to the existing methods of exhibition design and planning engaged in the first-level course.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Museum Ethics (3 cr.) This course introduces current ethical concerns relevant to museums and the various audiences they serve. It focuses on the philosophical and practical dilemmas faced by exhibiting institutions in their efforts to formulate and fulfill their missions. It pays particular attention to the relationships between the governing bodies of these institutions and their staff, their intended audiences, and the source communities which they represent. The course also provides an historical framework tracing the development of these issues in order to contextualize the present situation.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Issues in Native American Representation (3 cr.) From sports mascots, tourist “junk,” and New Age paraphernalia to superb films and museum exhibits, the images of Indians presented to the public and Indians themselves become confusing and often are stereotypical. Through readings, videos, online materials, and hands-on projects using exhibits in the Eiteljorg Museum, the course will consider a wide range of issues including economics, ethics, authenticity, stereotyping, and sovereignty. Because the subject matter cross-cuts the realm of indigenous issues, the class and readings will necessarily touch upon similar issues in non–Native American indigenous cultures.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: American Indians in Film (3 cr.) No medium has done more to create and confound images of American Indians than film. Ranging from simplistic, warlike savages to ennobled, ecological mystics, these images tend to mirror the complexities of the dominant society and are mostly created by them. What are the impacts of these images on both Indian people and the dominant society? How are the images created? What are the cultural contexts of the medium itself? These and a range of other subjects will be examined in the course.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Curatorial Practices (3 cr.) This course explores the possibilities for, and consequences of, curating in the museum. By critically examining the creative process of producing exhibitions that convey critical narratives and by applying the practices and methodologies of curators. It explores briefly the history of curating, but will emphasize the contemporary concerns within the field. While inclusive in its disciplinary perspectives, the course in any particular semester may focus on art, anthropological, or historical topics and projects.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Critical Approaches to Museum Education (3 cr.) As informal learning environments, museums are community resources that present content through a variety of formats. As museums grapple with their changing role within communities, the format and orientation of education programs and exhibitions is changing. This course examines the potential of applying critical pedagogy methods to museum education and exhibition development as a way to create meaningful audience involvement and stronger civic engagement of museums.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Indigenous Peoples of North America (3 cr.)
Examines the ways in which academic disciplines have examined American Indian and Native cultures, traditions and histories. The viewpoints primarily will emphasize ideas that affect the representation of Indigenous people in museums, but perspectives also will come from anthropology literature, history, law, political science, and a range of other disciplines.
- MSTD-A 560 Current Topics: Museum Research Methods in Education and Visitor Experience (3 cr.)
This course is an overview on the theoretical foundations of educational research and practical application of those methods in a museum setting. It incorporates an overview of techniques in museum education and visitor studies research, and emphasizes the utility of research in museum education practices. Students will participate in project-based activities with museum professionals and researchers, as well as become active consumers, reviewers, and advocates of research in the museum field.
- MSTD-A 595 Independent Learning in Museum Studies (1-6 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 for no more than 6 credit hours total.
- MSTD-A 101 Understanding Museums (3 cr.) Museums are among the most complex, but trusted, sources for education, entertainment, and lifelong learning. This course surveys museum types, missions, and histories, then introduces the skills needed to read objects and exhibitions competently and critically as well as to draw upon a museum's holdings and services purposefully and independently. PUL=3
- MSTD-A 403 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. PUL=5
- MSTD-A 405 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. PUL=3
- MSTD-A 408 Museum Internship (1-6 cr.) P: A403 and A405, or consent of instructor; anthropology majors may register for A412 in lieu of this requirement. Authorization of the instructor required. 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. PUL=3
- MSTD-A 410 Museum Education (3 cr.) 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. PUL=4
- MSTD-A 412 Exhibit Planning and Design (3 cr.) 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. PUL=3
- MSTD-A 414 Museums and Technology (3 cr.) 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. PUL=3
- MSTD-A 416 Collections Care and Management (3 cr.) 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 objects. PUL=3
- MSTD-A 418 Museums and Audiences (3 cr.) 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. PUL =
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics in Museum Studies (3 cr.) Study and analysis of selected topics in museum studies. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit. PUL=4
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Museum Theatre and Interpretation Methods (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth look at the use of museum theatre and live interpretation in museum settings to advance the educational mission and nature of museums. The class examines theatrical techniques, program development and management, and interpretation approaches for a wide variety of museum exhibits and audiences. Students will observe, develop, and implement original museum theatre and interpretation projects as a synthesis and practical application of the knowledge gained. The course will include field visits and observations of various techniques in museum theatre and live interpretation.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: : Interpreting Sustainable Landscapes and Live Collections (3 cr.) The course will examine the construction of nature as a cultural expression, ideas of sustainability, environment and landscape and their value as cultural spaces. We will examine how they are selected, cared for, interpreted and engaged by the public. Local live collections of plants, animals and landscapes will be visited and examined; including visits to public and community gardens, zoos and agricultural sites and park lands. An opportunity for interpretive planning exists at several locations within Indianapolis.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: : Collections Research and Survey (3 cr.)
Privileging the collection and facilities of The Madame Walker Theatre Center, students will survey the contents of the building and create accurate records of historic and artistic objects with full descriptions, condition assessments, and high-resolution photographs. This material will be assembled into a newly-created electronic database. At the same time, students will conduct in-depth research about individual items and share this information with the Walker’s blog, and other online venues.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: : Display: Theories, Issues, Practices (3 cr.)
Through the examination of both onsite and virtual exhibitions this course will explore different display methodologies and their respective benefits and issues. Students will learn to identify organizational missions and determine if exhibitions successfully meet established criteria. Exhibitions will be discussed in the context of meeting educational, marketing and fiscal goals for organizations among other standards.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Cultural Heritage (3 cr.) This course explores a variety of issues related the stewardship of cultural property on a local and global scale. Through readings, case studies, discussion, and a semester-long project, students will explore ethical, economic, legal, political, and pragmatic issues related to tangible and intangible heritage and will increase their understanding of the practices and processes of cultural heritage management.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Exhibit Design and Planning Studio: (Applied learning with community client/partners) (3 cr.) This class is an applied learning course based on a professional design studio model. Work completed in this course is experiential, client-based work with specific outcomes and deliverables. The course builds on the basic skills and applications learned in Exhibit Design and Planning 1, with an emphasis on refining and developing the storytelling and interpretive capacity of exhibition design and its relationship to visual and three-dimensional form, light, and materials. Students will engage an exploration of three- dimensional structure and form in relation to constructing meaning, as well as developing an understanding of a vocabulary of materials to add to the existing methods of exhibition design and planning engaged in the first-level course.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Museum Ethics (3 cr.) This course introduces current ethical concerns relevant to museums and the various audiences they serve. It focuses on the philosophical and practical dilemmas faced by exhibiting institutions in their efforts to formulate and fulfill their missions. It pays particular attention to the relationships between the governing bodies of these institutions and their staff, their intended audiences, and the source communities which they represent. The course also provides an historical framework tracing the development of these issues in order to contextualize the present situation.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Issues in Native American Representation (3 cr.) From sports mascots, tourist “junk,” and New Age paraphernalia to superb films and museum exhibits, the images of Indians presented to the public and Indians themselves become confusing and often are stereotypical. Through readings, videos, online materials, and hands-on projects using exhibits in the Eiteljorg Museum, the course will consider a wide range of issues including economics, ethics, authenticity, stereotyping, and sovereignty. Because the subject matter cross-cuts the realm of indigenous issues, the class and readings will necessarily touch upon similar issues in non–Native American indigenous cultures.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: American Indians in Film (3 cr.) No medium has done more to create and confound images of American Indians than film. Ranging from simplistic, warlike savages to ennobled, ecological mystics, these images tend to mirror the complexities of the dominant society and are mostly created by them. What are the impacts of these images on both Indian people and the dominant society? How are the images created? What are the cultural contexts of the medium itself? These and a range of other subjects will be examined in the course.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Curatorial Practices (3 cr.) This course explores the possibilities for, and consequences of, curating in the museum. By critically examining the creative process of producing exhibitions that convey critical narratives and by applying the practices and methodologies of curators. It explores briefly the history of curating, but will emphasize the contemporary concerns within the field. While inclusive in its disciplinary perspectives, the course in any particular semester may focus on art, anthropological, or historical topics and projects.
- MSTD-A 460 Current Topics: Critical Approaches to Museum Education (3 cr.) As informal learning environments, museums are community resources that present content through a variety of formats. As museums grapple with their changing role within communities, the format and orientation of education programs and exhibitions is changing. This course examines the potential of applying critical pedagogy methods to museum education and exhibition development as a way to create meaningful audience involvement and stronger civic engagement of museums.
- MSTD-A 494 Independent Learning in Museum Studies (1-6 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 for no more than 6 credit hours total. PUL=2
Graduate Courses
Undergraduate Courses
See the museum studies Web site for a current list of approved electives and new courses.