Course Objectives

Students will visit historical museums and similar venues in the Austin area and try out methods of "reading" them for history of construction, intended audience(s), and overt and implied messages. At the end of the course, students will:

Understand the knowledge and power issues surrounding the representation of the historical past in museums

Know the roles and motivations of museum professionals in historical museums

Be familiar with a range of concerns experienced by members of the public who find themselves or their communities the subject of a historical museum exhibit

Be familiar with the interests and concerns that attract members of the public to visit historical museums

Be able to analyze the production and consumption process in which a historical museum exhibit is embedded

Be able to devise a framework for historical exhibit planning that addresses he broadest range of community concerns

The syllabus will be posted and should be checked regularly for any changes. Any students requiring accommodation for disability or religious holy days should contact the instructor at the beginning of class.