Special topics in museum studies and the history of collections. Focusing on special topics in museum studies, this course counts as an elective for the museum studies certificate. This class may be taught on campus or as part of a field study or study abroad program.

An examination of the history and practices of public history in the nation’s capital. Students will study the history of major cultural institutions in Washington, D.C., and interact with public history professionals to review contemporary issues in the field. Course meets in Washington, D.C., as part of a summer program.

This course traces the origins of the modern museum in Italy. Through guided tours and site visits to centuries-old institutions across Rome and Florence, students will learn about the history of public museums and analyze the collections, architecture, exhibition strategies, and interpretive frameworks of these early Italian museums.

The course will review the history and methods of museum registration and collections management.

Students will work directly with museum staff to gain experience in the museum profession. Through hands-on engagement and reflection, students will obtain a deeper understanding of the field. Approved internships can be established within a wide range of museums and in a variety of locations.

Through workshops and lectures, students will prepare for the museum job market. In addition, students will be required to submit an example of their professional work in the field. This will typically be drawn from program course work or the program internship.

Museums can be powerful spaces of learning. This course examines the role of museum educators in connecting collections to diverse audiences. Students engage with scholarship on object-based pedagogies and apply methodologies into practice, critiquing and developing educational content for students, families, and adult learners across varied formats and settings.

Museums are complex institutions. This course explores the ethical considerations involved in collecting, conserving, displaying, and interpreting artwork, material culture, and human remains. By delving into case studies, we discuss a range of controversies and sensitive topics to learn from the past and imagine a more ethical future.

Exploration of practices used in the development, research, and design of museum exhibitions. The course will also consider the history of object display in the United States and examine major turning points in the development of museum exhibitions.

This course explores curatorial issues and practices in contemporary museums. Students will learn about the theory and methods adopted by curators in their stewardship, exhibition, and interpretation of museum collections.

Museum Studies M.A. students will prepare and present a final professional portfolio demonstrating evidence of skills learned and projects completed in the Museum Studies M.A. program.