90707 - LAB - Museum Practices in Europe

Learning outcomes

Students acquire a fundamental knowledge of the different key players in the museum field at European level; that is, institutions, private organisations, networks, etc. In particular, they develop methodological tools and interpretative skills useful to recognise, analyse and comment on museum policies in some European countries, thanks to the presentation of some case studies of “good practice”.

Course contents

The course (Lab) offers an insight into the museum landscape and its functioning in Europe.

Starting with the definition of “museum” and the debate about its current review, the course analyses the different connotations of the word in the 21st century, looking at the cultural, educational, social and economic role museums play in contemporary societies and at how this is reflected in museological practices in different countries.

Special attention is paid to European cultural policies and programmes to provide students with the essential tools to understand the ongoing debate and participate in EU funded collaboration projects. This is also complemented by an overview of the most important players active in the European arena, in particular international networks.

The topic of emerging professional profiles in the museum field, of continuous professional development and key competences needed for the museum profession is also addressed and is complemented by encounters with protagonists working in or for museums nationally and internationally.

Readings/Bibliography

For the final examination all students enrolled are required to prepare the texts listed in Section One. Students attending classes will research a specific subject agreed upon with the teacher using additional resources (see Section Two), present an interim version of the research to the class using a powerpoint and the final version to the teacher during the exam. Students who do not attend the course complete their preparation with one text from section Three.

Section One:

P. van Mensch, L. Meijer-van Mensch, New Trends in Museology II, Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje, 2015 (available in pdf)

A. Bollo, Measuring museum impacts, 2013 (in particular p. 5-25 and p. 42-79)

http://online.ibc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/I/libri/pdf/LEM3rd-report-measuring-museum-impacts.pdf

Section Two:

Students attending classes will be required to research a topic agreed upon with the teacher. To this purpose, a bibliography and reading suggestions will be provided to each student individually.

They will be asked to prepare an interim version of their research and share with the class through a powerpoint presentation. The definitive version of the research will be discussed during the final exam.

Section Three:

AA.VV., Audience research as an essential part of building a permanent exhibition, 2013

http://online.ibc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/I/libri/pdf/LEM6th-report-audience-research-as-an-essential-part-of-building-a-new-permanent-exhibition.pdf

N. Simon, The participatory museum, 2000 (Chapter 1 Principles of participation; Chapter 5 Defining participation at your institution) http://www.participatorymuseum.org/

Gibbs, Sani, Thompson (eds.), Lifelong learning in museums. A European handbook, 2007 (Chapter 2 Learning in museums; Chapter 3 Visitor research) http://online.ibc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/I/libri/pdf/LifelongLearninginMuseums.pdf

Teaching methods

The course relies on an interactive, dialogical and collaborative methodology. Students attending classes will be assigned a topic to explore individually and report upon in class. Lectures and discussion will be equally distributed during class hours. Meetings (face to face or online) will be organised with professionals working in or for museums nationally or internationally.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the current health emergency, this teaching activity will be carried out in the following manner:

Blended 1: the teacher will carry out part of the course remotely (max 50% of the hours). For a second part of the course, the students will alternate their presence in the classroom according to a schedule of shifts (more detailed information regarding the shifts and about the modalities to get access to the classroom lessons will be provided soon). It will always be possible to connect remotely and follow live lessons held in the classroom via the online platform TEAMS.

Restricted places for incoming exchange students:

Places for incoming exchange students in this teaching activity are limited and are primarily reserved to students enrolled in art related programmes at their home university. To check availability, please write to amac@unibo.it.

Assessment methods

There will be a final oral exam for this course, where students will be asked to answer questions related to the readings and to topics discussed in class. During the exam, students attending classes will be asked to discuss the final version of their research findings, whereas students who do not attend classes will discuss one text from section Three.

Successful candidates shall demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the contents covered during the course and a critical ability to examine and discuss the key issues in the readings.

1. It will be graded as excellent the performance of those students demonstrating to be able to clearly present the topics addressed by the course. The proper use of the specific language during the examination will be also essential.

2. It will be graded as discrete the performance of those students with mostly mnemonic knowledge, no in-depth analysis capabilities and a correct, but not always appropriate, language.

3. It will be graded as barely sufficient the performance of those students with approximate knowledge, superficial understanding, poor analytical capabilities and a not always appropriate language.

4. It will be graded as insufficient the performance of those students with learning gaps, inappropriate language, no orientation within the recommended bibliography.

Teaching tools

Lectures, Powerpoint slides, online resources (webinars, videos)

Office hours

See the website of Margherita Sani