B2134 - MUSEOLOGIA SCIENTIFICA 1

Learning outcomes

The course is aimed at providing knowledge on the origin and historical evolution of museum collections starting from the birth of the great naturalistic museums up to their diffusion in the various countries, thanks to the work of the scientific societies and the role of the scientific expeditions. The students will know the organization of the museum collections of the University of Bologna, their variety (biological-naturalistic, paleontological) that contain the history of the various scientific institutes and disciplines, and their role and functions in the development of science. The students will know the conception and organization of the modern museum institutions, their current role and function (research, teaching, third mission), and the the current legislation in the field of cultural heritage. The students will also know the problems related to the management of the museum scientific collections. In this frame criticalities, perspectives and potentialities will be highlighted to foster a critical and conscious vision of the student on this peculiarity typology of museums underlining the still current value and function of the scientific museums in the context of research, conservation, communication and education. The course offers basic scientific knowledge to understand the concepts of the evolution and biodiversity, and the history of ecosystems changes, dealing also with the relationship between science and museums by deepening the contemporary debate relating to their function and their educational role in today's society. With this approach we intend to develop the theme of evolution and biodiversity and their representation in scientific museums through museum collections. Theoretical and research aspects will be addressed. Exploring the different museums, the students will define an objective and develop a proposal of their own for a project idea or innovate aspects they can identify for museum enhancement and communication. Emphasis will be placed on the valence of scientific vs. historical and artistic asset. Aspects related to the ethics of science, the custody, conservation and display of the sensitive collections, on the basis of current legislation, will be also provided. The course aims to highlight different methods, planning and educational paths of the different collections: the herbarium and of botanical garden of the Bolognese university, the zoological, comparative anatomy, paleontological and anthropological collections. At the end of the course the student is able to (a) understand the historical and historical-scientific value of the collections of scientific museums, (b) to propose and plan actions specific and targeted museum educational paths making the meaning of ""making"" a scientific museum their own, (c) and, by adapting and integrating previous and acquired knowledge, to promote scientific communication to participate in the process of continuous transformation that museums must have to respond to rapid changes in contemporary society. The student also (d) understands and knows nature and nature material characteristics of the finds of scientific museums, (e) is able to collect and catalog the finds by macro-categories and (f) it can propose actions aimed at improving its conservation status.

Course contents

Introduction to human evolution

The origins of Anthropology, anthropological institutions, scientific museums, and anthropological museum collections

The origins of Anthropology, anthropological institutions, scientific museums, and anthropological museum collections

Anthropological and ethnographic collections in Italian museums of Anthropology

From racial and racist paradigms to the modern understanding of humanity's place in the natural world and the contemporary relevance of anthropological collections

The Italian Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape, the Faro Convention, natural, cultural, and dissonant heritage

Ethical issues in the research, curation, conservation, and exhibition of anthropological remains and collections

The application of digital technologies to the study of human skeletal remains

The Horizone Europe COLUMN Project, the "Lidio Cipriani" facial cast collection, and the decolonization of museums

Readings/Bibliography

MG Belcastro, G Manzi, J Moggi (a cura di) - Quel che resta. Scheletri e altri resti umani come beni culturali. Ed. Il Mulino, Bologna, 2022

Falcucci B - L'impero nei musei. Storie di collezioni coloniali italiane. Pacini Ed., 2025

Zagatti P - Una scomoda eredità. L'africano negli studi antropologici fra Otto e Novecento. Biblioteca Clueb, 2025

Teaching methods

Lectures, practical activities in the classroom and at the Museum of Anthropology - Seminar sessions

Assessment methods

Presentation or video on a topic related to a theoretical and/or practical museum experience, to be agreed upon with the teacher. The presentation or video may also be prepared and delivered as group work.

 

Regarding assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

PC, Video presentation

Office hours

See the website of Maria Giovanna Belcastro