Module overview
In this module we will examine how knowledge about the past is presented in museum exhibition and display. We will look at current practices in exhibition design and discuss the contemporary literature on communicating heritage to a range of audiences. You will then work in groups and present an oral presentation prior to completion of an exhibition proposal on a subject or theme relating to archaeology and heritage.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- work as part of a team, where each team member makes a different contribution
- develop your verbal presentation skills
- develop your time management skills
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- prepare exhibition design proposals for a non-professional audiences
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the problems of interpretation and presentation when communicating archaeology to non- professional audiences
- the impact of museum exhibitions on the construction of knowledge
- the power and importance of material culture in communicating ideas about cultures past and present
Syllabus
Themes explored in this module include:
- Current practice in exhibition design
- Literature on communicating heritage
- The theory of representation
- Heritage and identity
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures to outline the theoretical framework and background to the subject
- Group seminars to explore specific issues in the presentation of heritage and to help consolidate your knowledge
- Museum visit to see real world examples of heritage presentation and to provide field data for group work.
Learning activities include:
- Preparation of essays
- Preparation and performance of oral presentation
- Participation in seminars
- Presentation of updates on group work
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 38 |
| Fieldwork | 8 |
| Seminar | 8 |
| Completion of assessment task | 80 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Marstine, J. (ed.) (2006). New Museum Theory and Practice. Oxford: Blackwell.
Sandell, R. (ed.) (2002). Museums, Society, Inequality. London: Routledge.
Moser, S. (2006). Wondrous Curiosities. Ancient Egypt at the British Museum. Chicago: Chicago University Press.
Dean, D. (1997). Museum Exhibition. Theory and practice. London: Routledge.
Kreps, C.F (2003). Liberating culture: cross-cultural perspectives on museums, curation, and heritage preservation. London: Routledge.
Ambrose, T. and C. Paine (2012). Museum Basics.. London: Routledge.
Lord, B and G. Lord. (eds) (2002). The Manual of Museum Exhibitions. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.
Falk, J.H. & L. Dierking (2000). Learning from Museums. Walnut Creek CA: Altamira Press.
Swain, H. (2009). An Introduction to Museum Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Parry, R. (2010). Museums in a Digital Age. London: Routledge.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Group presentation | 10% |
| Group project report | 65% |
| Essay | 25% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal