History and Theory of Museums G49.1500 Stampe, Trask. 4 points.
Introduction to the social, cultural, and political history of museums. This course focuses on the formation of the modern museum with an emphasis on the US context. Museums of Natural History, Anthropology, Science, Technology, History, and Art will be addressed from a variety of disciplinary approaches that explore the institution and its practices with respect to governance, colonialism, nationalism, class, gender, ethnicity, and community. Frequent visits to New York museums are required, along with weekly writing assignments, and a final paper.

Museum Collections and Exhibitions G49.1501 Gear. 4 points.
Introduction to the care and management of objects and collections and to the process of organizing a temporary exhibition. Assignments consist of individual reports and working in small teams to prepare and preset proposals on specific functions of collection management and to make an exhibition proposal. Museum professionals (registrars, conservators, curators) speak on issues specific to their practice. Museum visits are scheduled as part of regular classroom meetings. As far as possible, the course covers museums of all disciplines.

Museum Management G49.1502 Siegel, Thomas. 4 points.
This course provides an overview of management, finance, and administration for those aspiring to managerial and supervisory positions in museums. Topics to be covered include organizational structure and the roles and relationships of museum departments; operational issues, including security and disaster planning; museum accounting and finance, including operating and capital expense budgeting; leadership and strategic planning; and legal and ethical issues facing museums.

Internship G49.3990 Basilio, Stampe. 2 points
Students nearing completion of their Master's or their Certificate requirements must apply in writing to the Museum Studies Internship Coordinator for an internship. Placements are made by the program on an individual basis, and are project oriented. A minimum of 300 hours is spent as an intern at a museum or other suitable institution. A daily log, diary, and progress report are required. Students must earn a grade of B or better to receive the M.A. or Advanced Certificate.

Research Seminar G49.3991 Altshuler, Basilio. 2 points.
Students conduct research combining their academic and professional interests, using appropriate methodology. They formulate a topic, prepare an annotated bibliography, and write the qualifying paper based on their research. M.A. students also develop their thesis proposal.

Page updated: 01 June 2007