Learning outcomes

In Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies the student must achieve:

*solid knowledges of the role of museums and cultural heritage institutions in modern society, foremost in Sweden but also with international outreaches.

* practical and theoretical knowledges of the main fields of action (collecting, preservation and display) as well as within electronic document management.

* capacity to carry through, in an independent way, a scientific research task within the field of action

*knowledges and skills, in cooperation with others, to sustain and develop enterprises within the field of action

* capacities and skills necessary for a professional career within the field of action e.g. as curator, museum teacher, in the public service or the private sector. The course aims to give the students a scientific ground for work within museums and the field of cultural heritage. The course focuses on the history, tradition, development and place of museums and cultural heritage within society.

Content

Module 1: Museum, Cultural Heritage and Cultural Change (7, 5 credits). The module deals with the field of museum- and cultural heritage. The establishment, development and roles of the museums and cultural heritage authorities in society are considered. Theoretical concepts and modules are presented. An ALM perspective will be observed in some of the lectures and seminars.

Module 2: Electronic Document Management, (7.5 credits). The goal of this section is to provide insights into how electronic documents are constructed, managed and organised from the perspective of the ALM (Archives, Libraries and Museums) domain. A theoretical discussion on the concept of documents is included. Contemporary technical methods for the management of presentation, preservation and metadata are dealt with both theoretically and practically. This section is done in cooperation with the fields Archival Science and Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies

Module 3: Collection Management in Theory and Practice (7.5 credits). The module deals with the practical and theoretical problems of collecting, management and classification of the tangible and intangible world. The module is suitable for PBL pedagogic and in collaboration with EDH on the digitalisation and accessibility of collections.

Module 4: Museum Pedagogy and Exhibition Techniques (7.5 credits). The module aims to examine theories and practices of communication, the politics of display and design within the museum exhibition room and as part of a natural- and cultural landscape. The module aims to present both practical and theoretical knowledges by hands on practices.

2nd semester

Module 5: Electronic Document Management II (7, 5 credits). The goal of this section is to both deepen and broaden the knowledge attained in the course Electronic Document Management I. The section is done in cooperation with the fields Archival Science and Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies.

Module 6: Internship (7.5 credits). The module presents students to the workplace of museums and the cultural heritage sector by internship. The duration of the internship is 5 weeks. Internship can be done within Sweden as well as abroad. The last mentioned option is based on availability.

Module 7: Master's thesis (15 credits). In this module the students write a smaller, independent work that consists of a museum- and cultural heritage report in the form of an essay. Subject is chosen in collaboration with the supervisor.

Instruction

The teaching format consists of lectures, seminars as well as problem-based learning exercises, educational study visits, and group and individual supervision.

Assessment

Examination is effected by means of written and/or oral accounts of assignments and exercises performed individually or in groups.