IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2023-2024

Undergraduate Courses

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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. 

• MSTD-A 407 Indigenous Cultural Heritage (3 cr.) Students from anthropology, archaeology, history, museum studies, Native American and Indigenous studies will explore the deeper meanings of Indigenous cultural heritage expressed in both tangible culture and intangible customs, values, practices, artistic expressions, oral tradition, ritual, memory, sense of place, and identity. Course considers theoretical, ethical, respectful, and practical implications.

• MSTD-A 408 Museum Internship (1-6 cr.) P: MSTD-A 403 and MSTD-A 405, or consent of instructor; anthropology majors may register for MSTD-A 412 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.

• 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. 

• 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. 

• MSTD-A 413 Curatorial Practices (3 cr.) This seminar will examine current and historical curatorial practices in museums and other exhibition contexts. 

• MSTD-A 416 Collections Care and Management (3 cr.) A survey of museum 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 417 Preventative Conservation (3 cr.) P: MSTD-A 416. This course offers a theoretical and practical investigation of preventative conservation of artifacts which aims to eliminate or modify conditions that encourage deterioration. 

• 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. 

• MSTD-A 421 Museums Theatre (3 cr.) P: MSTD-A 403 or MSTD-A 410. 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 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 440 Cultural Heritage (3 cr.) This course explores a variety of issues related to the stewardship of cultural property on a local, national, 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 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.

• MSTD-A 477 Community Collaboration and Curation (3 cr.) Students in various fields, including anthropology, history, museum studies, Native and Indigenous studies explore meaningful collaboration through a community-based project.

• 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.

Graduate Courses

• MSTD-A 503 Introduction to Museum Studies (3 cr.) Core course. 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 counts toward the Graduate Certificate but not toward the Master's Degree.

• MSTD-A 508 Museum Internship (1-6 cr.) P: MSTD-A 503 and two other museum studies 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 509 Applied Research in Museums (1-6 cr.) Elective. P: MSTD-A 503 or consent of the instructor. An interdisciplinary research practicum conducted in collaboration with museum studies students, faculty and museum partners. The course provides students with an opportunity to work in conjunction with museum professionals to conduct research and carry out public projects in museum settings. The course may focus on exhibition planning, public programs and symposia, curatorial projects, and national collaborations. May be repeated for credit.

• MSTD-A 510 Museum Education (3 cr.) Core course. P: MSTD-A 503 or consent of the 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.

• MSTD-A 511 Museum Education (3 cr.) Elective. The class will examine the multiple ways that people learn from and with objects in museums using a range of disciplines including education, history, semiotics, material culture, anthropology, and psychology.

• MSTD-A 512 Exhibit Planning and Design (3 cr.) Core course. P: MSTD-A 503 or consent of the 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.

• MSTD-A 513 Curatorial Practices (3 cr.) This seminar course will examine current and historical curatorial practices in museums and other exhibition contexts.Case studies will introduce a range fo approaches to the storytelling practices involved in curatorial work. Over the course of the semester students will also develop and execute their own curatorial project.

• MSTD-A 514 Museums and Technology (3 cr.) Elective. P: MSTD-A 503 or consent of the 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 Managements (3 cr.) Core course. P: MSTD-A 503 or consent of the 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.

• MSTD-A 517 Preventative Conservation (3 cr.) This course offers a theoretical and practical investigation of preventive conservation of artifacts which aims to eliminate or modify conditions that encourage deterioration. Preventative Conservation is the broadcast technique by which preservation of museum objects and collections is acheived. Emphasis is placed on measures that prevent or reduce the potential for damage and loss. Central to preventative conservation methodology, topics include handling procedures, proper storage, and environmental management, agents or deterioration, risk and analysis, emergency preparedness, and planning.

• MSTD-A 518 Museums and Audiences (3 cr.) Elective. 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 521 Museum Theatre and Live Interpretation (3 cr.) Elective. 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 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 531 Critical Approaches to Museums (3 cr.) Elective. P: MSTD-A 503 or consent of the instructor. This class examines the potential of applying critical pedagogical methods to curatorial practices, interpretation, museum education, and exhibition development as a way to focus on engaging the visitor with artifacts, opening up civic discourse, and promoting deeper connection to community.

• MSTD-A 540 Cultural Heritage (3 cr.) Elective. This course explores a variety of issues related the stewardship of cultural property on a local, national, 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 548 Museum Administration (3 cr.) Core course. 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 cultured resource agencies. Topics, speakers, and readings are focused on issues that are unique to agencies that collect, preserve, and interpret historical resources.

• MSTD-A 560 Current Topics in Museum Studies (3 cr.) Elective. Intensive graduate-level study and analysis of selected topics in museum studies. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for up to 9 credit hours.

• 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 507 Indigenous Cultural Heritage (3 cr.) Students will explore the deeper meanings of Indigenous cultural heritage expressed in both tangible culture and intangible customs, values, practices, artistic expressions, oral tradition, ritual, memory, sense of place, and identity. Students will consider deeper meanings embedded in heritage and the relationships. Relying heavily on the scholarship of Indigenous authors.