Race and the American Museum

The museum stands as an institution that holds both cultural and social aspects of our past and present lives. The museum also functions as a symbol of power and truth. However, the potential that museums can act as agents of social change for some is a radical idea. Although many museums still value the process of collection, preservation and display, the need to broaden access and diversify their appeal has become essential for the museum?s survival. Through this course, we will begin by exploring ways that ?race? is represented in the context of the American museum.

Ethnography in Action

Today's public institutions and community organizations operate in complex societies and serve an increasingly diverse set of constituents and stakeholders. Anthropological research provides tools for understanding diverse perceptions, practices, and social problems in cultural and historical context. The centerpiece of this course is an actual group research project here in western Mass: students will act as a team to design a research project, conduct field research with a partner organization, organize and analyze data, and present research findings.
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