Course overview
What is a museum? This course explores contemporary museum practice within global, national and local frameworks. It will chart the history and future of museums through a broad historical survey of the evolution of the museum, alongside a critical analysis of museum theory and curatorial practice. Using the South Australian Museum as key case study, students will have the unique opportunity to directly engage with the staff and collections of one of Australia's oldest and largest collecting institutions. This course blends history, theory, politics, and practical hands-on experience to ensure students gain a thorough understanding of museum practice today.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of contemporary museum theory and curatorial practice.
- Identify and analyse relevant scholarship on current museology.
- Understand the nature of modern collections, their purpose and curation, in the context of contemporary museum theory and practice.
- Show an understanding of a range of intercultural issues in the area of modern Australian museum collections.
- Show proficiency in the use of a range of contemporary technologies to conduct research, communicate results and communicate with others.