85077 - Museology and Collection Studies (1) (LM)

Course contents

The course comprises 30 lecture hours corresponding to 6 CFU.

The course aims to provide the historical and methodological tools necessary to understand the formation of collections and the transformations of the museum institution from the modern age to the present day. Historical places of art fruition are analysed: collections, exhibitions, museums with particular attention to the Italian situation. The aim of the course is to raise students' awareness of the role played by museums in the progress of culture and society through knowledge, protection, conservation and valorisation of the historical and artistic heritage.

In the Academic Year 2023-2024, particular attention will be paid to concepts and topics related to the relationship - historical, critical, artistic, social - between museums and the territory.

In the Academic Year 2023-2024 these complementary activities are planned:

1. A seminar about the relationship between museology and museography to explore issues of exhibition and museum design

2. A seminar about  digital for museums.

Readings/Bibliography

For the final exam, students are required to prepare two texts listed in Section One, plus one text from Section Two.
Students who do not attend the course should complete their preparation with one text from Section Three.

Section One:

S. Costa, Il magnifico concerto e l’ordinato metodo. Collezionismo e musei d’Ancien Régime, Bologna, Bup, 2019.

K. Pomian, Il Museo una storia mondiale, Torino, Einaudi, 2021: I. Dal tesoro al museo.

K. Pomian, Il Museo una storia mondiale, Torino, Einaudi, 2021: II. L'affermazione europea, 1789-1850.

Section Two:

J. Arnaldo, S. Costa, D.Poulot, A.Rosellini (eds.), Atmosfere. Esperienze immersive nell'arte e al museo, Bologna, BUP, 2021.

S. Costa, P. Callegari, M. Pizzo, L’Italia dei Musei 1860-1960. Collezioni, Contesti, Casi di studio, Bologna, BUP, 2018.

S. Costa, P. Cordera, D. Poulot (eds.), Storytelling. Esperienze e comunicazione del Cultural Heritage, Bologna, BUP, 2022.

S. Costa, M. L. Pagliani, Arte, Archeologia e Pubblico, Bologna, BUP, 2017.

S. Costa, G. Perini Folesani (eds.), I savi e gli ignoranti. Dialogo del pubblico con l'arte, Bologna, BUP, 2017.

F. Haskell, The ephemeral museum. Old master painting and the rise of the art exhibition, New Haven, Yale University Press, 2000. (trad it. La nascita delle mostre. I dipinti degli antichi maestri e l’origine delle esposizioni d’arte, Milano-Ginevra, Skira, 2008).

Section Three

K. Pomian, Il Museo una storia mondiale, Torino, Einaudi, 2022: III. Alla conquista del mondo, 1850-2020.

Teaching methods

The course also includes meetings with professional figures related to the various forms of conservation and enhancement of historical and artistic heritage, in addition to lectures and possible educational visits to exhibitions and/or museums, 

Assessment methods

The verification of learning takes place through an oral examination: the test consists of an interview aimed at assessing the specific knowledge acquired by the student during the course. The student must demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of the topics addressed and discussed during the course and of the bibliography indicated in the syllabus. Critical skills to explain and interpret the different theoretical and practical approaches to museology and its constant evolution will also be assessed.

1. The exam in which the student demonstrates the ability to analyse the texts in depth and to be able to place them in an organic vision of the themes addressed in the lessons will be assessed with marks of excellence. The expressive mastery used during the interview will also be fundamental.

2. Mostly mnemonic knowledge, the ability to analyse not in depth and a correct but not always appropriate language of the texts to be studied will lead to fair marks.

3. Approximate knowledge, superficial comprehension, poor analytical ability and not always appropriate expression will lead to little more than adequate marks.

4. Formative deficiencies, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographical materials to be studied in the programme will lead to negative assessments.

Teaching tools

The course will be delivered through lectures, supported by Powerpoint presentations and videos. Bibliographic materials are offered in IOL.

Office hours

See the website of Sandra Costa