HIST 435OC - Museums: A Social, Political, and Institutional History

FC SSCI

4 credits
This class explores the origins, evolution, and function of many different types of museums from the 18th to the 21st century. From the first natural history museums, which reflected the Enlightenment era’s impulse towards hierarchical categorization, to the new 21st century “memorial museums,” which seek to commemorate past violence in order help build a better future, museums have viewed themselves as playing an important cultural and political role in their societies. As a class, we will explore the creation and evolution of many different kinds of museum, the relationship between museums and modernity, and the ways in which museum practices have changed over time. How, we will ask, have museums been colonial institutions and how might be they be decolonized? What role have museums played in legitimizing the nation? How have movements to build alternative museums sought to challenge dominant cultural and political narratives? As we study-and visit-art museums, science museums, natural history and history museums, we will consider the many ways in which museums produce and structure knowledge. This class includes several required weekend field trips. This course is part of the MINING the MUSEUM StudiOC Learning Community.
Prerequisites & Notes: For this StudiOC course, HIST 435OC is required and 1 of the following: ARTH 329OC or ANTH 460OC
Does this course require off campus field trips? Yes