History 317 - Curating the Premodern

The medieval and early modern past is constantly being explored and reinterpreted, whether in the traditional realms of academia and the heritage industry or through film, TV, games, and even political protests. Despite this saturation of premodernity in modern culture, few opportunities exist for those outside the academy to consider how the premodern past is selectively shaped and communicated to the public. This course offers theoretical and practical takes on curating and curatorial practices in relation to art and objects produced during the medieval and early modern periods, making extensive use of the collection of the Frost Library Special Collections and Mead Art Museum. At the beginning of the semester, short lectures will be focused on introducing students to central aspects in curating and museum practices, such as collecting and conservation; installation and display; education; and documentation. As the semester progresses, we will transition to a discussion-based seminar focused on the practical elements of an exhibition: the interpretive plan, object list and labels, and educational panels. The course includes one field trip to a museum and culminates in the installation of an exhibition in the Frost Library.
Meets once weekly. Instructor permission only. 

Spring semester. Professor Murrell.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority will be given to majors in History, and then to juniors and seniors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students will be expected to: • Think critically about museums and the forces that have shaped/are shaping their role in society • Develop a critical awareness of how museums engage audiences with collections • Learn and practice skills related to the research, interpretation and presentation of objects or things preserved in museum collections • Undertake original research and synthesize their learning through the production of exhibition materials