Syllabus
1. Introduction to the course and assignments. What is a museum? When did museums and collecting begin?
2. Beginning of a museum – case study British Museum and Louvre
3. Trends in museum exhibitions
4. Excursion - Historical building of the National Museum in Prague -permanent exhibition History. Discussing the history of National Museum in Prague
5. Excursion - National Museum - permanent exhibition The History of the 20th Century. Discussing all the different tasks of museum employees
6. NaFilM -National film museum Meeting. Discussing modern technologies in museums
7. Excursion - Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures, discussing dealing with postcolonialism in a museum
8. Excursion - Hrdlicka Museum of Man. Discussing the development of trends in exhibition making
9. Individual work on the group project
10. -
11. Excursion (3 hours) - Central Bohemian Museum in Roztoky u Prahy. Discussing the issue of Public Archaeology and the role of regional museums
12. Discussing the role of museums in the 3rd millennium
13. Final project presentation
Annotation
The aim of this course is to understand the past and the present of such important institutions, as the museums are, for contemporary society. The course will partly consist of in-class meetings, targeting theoretical framework for the course, the beginnings of collecting artifacts, creation of some of the most significant museums in Europe and current trends in museum exhibitions, complemented by numerous visits to the main museums in Prague, facilitating on spot engagement and discussions with the essentials of museum exhibitions, its development or various roles of museum employees. Students will be able to perceive and evaluate issues occurring during exhibition preparations. Part of the course will be also dedicated to a practical group project.
Group assignment:
During the course, we will explore the museum scene in Prague. What do you personally believe Prague is lacking exhibition-wise? What topic would deserve to be presented? Divide into groups of three and think of an idea for a small exhibition. You can use e-Collections of the National Museum to choose objects which you would like to display. Your task is to think of the topic, potential objects to display and the title of the exhibition. Write a proposal and complete three of the following tasks:
• Select objects to display,
• Create a poster
• Think of an appropriate educational program for school visits or public event
• Propagation strategy – facebook post, Press Release…
• Choose one object or a group of objects and suggest the proper way of displaying it