Local and international perspectives
Guiding questions:
This module provides an overview of the history and philosophy of museums from a global perspective. We will examine the predecessors of modern museums around the world—some called Wunderkammer, others dar, bait, markaz (Arabic for house or center), museion, and more —to understand how the purpose of museums has evolved over time.
We will analyze the diverse types of museums, shaped by various disciplinary perspectives, different collecting principles, and distinct forms of cultural property display. Through this, students will learn to develop case-specific yet well-founded principles of collecting while gaining insight into the fields and tasks that define the modern museum, along with the broad spectrum of professional roles that emerge from it.
Understanding the philosophies of what a museum can represent also involves studying the impact of museum architecture, the physical museum space, and their effects on visitor experience. By examining museum mission statements, cultural policies, interpretations of objects in collections, and representations of the past, we will explore current issues in museum philosophy and assess the different roles museums play in society.
The module will conclude with a discussion on whether museums have refined themselves as educational, social, and cultural institutions, evaluated within the framework of a culturally appropriate museology — which emphasizes participation and social inclusion.
Finally, we will consider the future function of museums and their evolving role in society.