Photos by Pankaj Patel (Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin), Josh Wilburne (MOMA, NYC), Zachary Spears (Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha) on Upsplash

This course is an introduction to ways of seeing museums.

We'll start with the Big Question: What is a Museum? to examine our assumptions, knowledge, and expectations of museums.

Photos by Museums Victoria (Science Museum, Melbourne), Conor Samuel (Museum of Liverpool), Shaun Donnelly (Museo de Serralves, Porto) on Upsplash

Then, we'll learn how to explore museums through the lenses of institutional histories, space and place, and the people that make museums work.

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Photos by Samantha Borges, Yoyo Hins (Museum Pendidikan Surabaya, Indonesia), Thijs Slootjes (The Sumida Hokusai Museum) on Upsplash

You'll build a foundation for seeing museums by reviewing Four Learning Modules (LMs).

Each LM presents a different aspect of museum history, theory and/or practice through videos, readings, and case studies. Curated images (read the captions!) and resources are presented to inform and evoke curiosity about museums around the world.

Throughout the course, you will put your knowledge and skills into practice with museum-based Activities and Fieldwork Projects.

All Activities and Fieldwork Projects are reusable and adaptable to any museum, physical or virtual. Do them on your own or with others. Try them at multiple museums. Everything is designed for you to tailor the course content and outcomes to your personal learning goals.

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Photo by Margo Richard (Musée du Louvre) on Upsplash

By the end of this course you will have gained knowledge, heard diverse perspectives, and practiced critical looking and thinking skills that empower you to see museums differently.

So, how are we going to achieve our ambitious goals? Great Question! Let's find out...