Due Dates:
September 10: title due
Oct. 15: review due
Directions:
- Select a book (monograph or edited volume) related to museums and published in the past two years, the more recently the better. [note - reprints of older books don't count unless they have been substantially revised or are being reissued after a long period out of date (i.e. a "classic"). Find a book that you think would be of interest to most museum professionals, but it doesn’t have to be about museums per se (ex. It could be about leadership or creativity or economic issues). Don’t pick a particular historic topic or exhibit catalogue since those are of limited interest to the target audience. Good sources for ideas are the AAM on-line bookstore and books reviewed recently in Museum News. You can also browse by subject in any on-line bookstores.
- Send the title of the book you wish to review to ekryderr@iupui.edu and post to OnCourse forum. Be sure to check OnCourse before you post to be sure no one else is doing that book. In case of duplications, first come, first served.
- Read the book and take notes on it.
- Write a review of 500-750 words. You should briefly summarize the work as well as critique it (comment on its strengths and weaknesses and assess its utility or applications in the museum field) and by Oct 4th submit it electronically to me at ekryderr@iupui.edu
- You are encouraged to submit a revised version directly to the Association of Midwest Museums for possible publication in their newsletter. Several reviews by MSTD A503 students in past classes have been published. Your review should include the full citation of the work at the top and be signed with your name and academic affiliation at the bottom (ex. Jane Smith, Museum Studies Master’s student, Indiana University, Indianapolis). Send reviews to Brian Bray c/o bbray@miswestmuseums.com
Assignment 1: Museum Authority
Due: September 24
Points: 10
Length: (3 pages/ 750 words)
Directions:
This reflective essay asks you to respond to the question, "Where do museums derive their authority?" You are welcome to offer your own definition of authority or invoke someone else's, but you must be explicit about what you mean by authority. You should support your argument with some specific examples, from readings or your own experience visiting museums.
Assignment 2: Museums and Conscience
Due: October 29 (submit electronically to ekryderr@iupui.edu and post to OnCourse forum)
Points: 10
Length: (3 pages/ 750 words)
Directions: This reflective essay asks you to respond to the question, "What is a museum of conscience?" You may draw on the authors we have read and the museums you’ve visited, but you should be sure to consult the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience as one of your sources http://www.sitesofconscience.org/en/ and think about our readings that have dealt with some of the problematic assumptions about community and heritage. Using examples will strengthen your argument.
In addition to submitting your essay for me to read, please post it to OnCourse so your colleagues in the class can read it and we can refer to our different perspectives during the discussion of the panels in the last class.
Assignment 3: Why Museums Matter
Due: November 12 (submit electronically to ekryderr@iupui.edu and post on OnCourse forum)
Points: 15
Length: (3 pages/750 words)
Directions: This reflective essay asks you to respond to two questions: “Why do museums matter?” and “How do I want my work to matter for museums and their communities?” You may draw on the authors we have read and the museums you’ve visited, as well as other sources that have inspired or discouraged you. In addition to submitting your essay for me to read, please post it to OnCourse so your colleagues in the class can read it and we can refer to our different perspectives during the discussion of the panels in the last class.
A503 RESEARCH PROJECT OVERVIEW
During the semester each of you will work independently on a research project. The theme will relate to readings, issues, and case studies explored together in class, but your individual project will take you deeply into a particular institution’s history and will involve reading in primary and secondary sources that are relevant to your particular topic.
Objectives
· To build your skills in research, writing, and oral presentation
· To deepen your knowledge in the history of museums
· To develop your skills in analyzing and interpreting museum practices, particularly the political and cultural contexts of representing the past
Assignment
· Select a museum or related cultural institution (such as an historical society or tribal cultural center) anywhere in the world that is at least 20 years old. Be sure you will have access to enough sources to conduct the research.
· Investigate primary and secondary sources to gather information about the institution’s mission, history, role in its community over time, and the nature of its collections, exhibitions, and programs.
· Based on your research, write an academic research paper analyzing the institution’s impact and relevance on its community. Depending on the context of the museum, you can define “community” however you want – the local community, descendant community, the museum profession, the discipline (art, history, etc.), the nation, the industry, etc. Note: the paper should argue your thesis with supporting evidence, and not be a straight chronological narrative of the museum’s history. It may be helpful to include a timeline or short summary of the institutional history as an appendix.
· In addition to writing a 12-15 page research paper, you will also present your research as a poster or a 5 – 8 minute illustrated PPT presentation to be presented in class.
Schedule
Sept. 3 Submit institution name. To ensure there is no duplication, please post your selections to OnCourse during the first week. Before you post, check to see what your classmates have chosen. First come, first served.
Oct. 1 Submit preliminary list of sources and annotated bibliography of at least 5 key sources.
Nov. 5 Submit thesis statement and preliminary outline of paper.
Nov. 19 Submit a draft of 12-15 pp. research paper (electronically via email attachment). I also encourage you to submit a draft of your PPT poster by 11/24 for comments prior to the final printing on 11/30.
Nov. 30 Printing of poster (PPT slide format) – must be present during printing. Sign up for specific time.
Dec. 3 Poster presentations in class (note: UG section and all MSTD students and faculty will be invited).
Dec. 10 Final papers due in hard copy and (posted to OnCourse). Please also submit a pdf of your poster.
General points
· Research skills are a significant part of graduate education. This assignment requires the identifying a museum of interest, locating appropriate sources, collecting relevant information, critically analyzing the information or data, and developing an argument in support of your answer to your research question, and communicating that research in a formal academic paper and in a “poster” that incorporates text and images. This research process of finding and synthesizing information and communicating it visually in meaningful ways is a critical skill for museum work.
· This assignment requires you to work relatively independently. It assumes that, as a graduate student, you have basic research skills (how to locate and properly cite relevant sources, develop logical outlines, write clearly and persuasively). If there are skills that you feel you would like more guidance on or if you just want to talk through your ideas or challenges of your research project, feel free to meet with me. The Writing Center (Cavanaugh 4th floor) is also an excellent resource as are the reference librarians at the University Library.