ARCH44260: Museum Communication

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• ARCH55360 - Dissertation in Museum and Artefact Studies

• To enable students to:
• Examine the concept of communication in relation to museum collections, archives and heritage.
• Gain an understanding of contemporary principles and good practice relating to museum and heritage communication.
• Develop curatorial and interpretative skills by creating a public exhibition, working to professional standards and as part of a team, and in collaboration with museum, archive and heritage staff.

• In this module, students examine the concept of 'communication' in relation to museum collections, and gain an understanding of contemporary principles and good practice relating to museum communication. They develop curatorial skills, working to professional standards and as part of a team, by creating a publically accessible exhibition over the summer with embedded learning and community engagement elements.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• At the end of the module students will possess a thorough and critical understanding of:
• Contemporary principles, policies and good practice relating to museum and heritage communication.

Subject-specific Skills:

• At the end of the module students will possess direct experience in and a competent ability to:
• Plan, research, design, document, develop, manage, produce, publicise and evaluate, accurately and honestly, online activities engaging with museum collections and communities (e.g. educational activities / online exhibitions / online public interaction). This will include:
• Selecting and using appropriate methods carefully, safely and accurately, and working to professional standards as a responsible team member, with reference to:
• Developing the agreed topic / area of engagement from the brief provided;
• Using reflective learning from professional engagement activities, evaluations and critical feedback;
• Planning and managing available resources (including people, facilities, budgeted finances, information, artefacts as appropriate, equipment and time);
• Understanding and working to relevant collection conservation needs as appropriate (e.g. light and RH); linking with learning in ARCH***** Care of Collections (Museum Studies)
• Understanding and working to relevant, security needs of the artefacts;
• Understanding and working to the host institution/s staff, policies and other functions;
• Understanding and working to the requirements of current and potential users (including access, education and leisure), bearing in mind, equality, diversity and inclusion requirements and decolonisation commitments.

Key Skills:

• At the end of the module students will possess direct experience in and a competent ability to:
• Use computer and information technology (data management and design software).
• Appropriately access library, museum, archive and World Wide Web resources.
• Undertake advanced independent study, research and problem solving.
• Participate responsibly in, and critically reflect upon, work in a defined role as a member of a team, both independently and alongside colleagues.
• Communicate information and arguments effectively, in written, visual and computerised form, to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Take responsibility for personal, professional and ethical development within the museum and cultural heritage sector or within academia, responding actively to critical feedback.
• Where relevant, assess relevant insurance and health and safety risks in the workplace, and comply with appropriate procedures, including seeking ethical approval for project-related research involving members of the public.
• Cope with contingencies and make decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts.
• Manage group and individual time effectively, working to time-tables and meeting deadlines.

• Lectures, comprising concise, accessible and interesting oral, visual and virtual presentations of key information, by tutors to the full programme cohort of students, supported by the extensive programme bibliography and summaries posted on the Blackboard Learn Ultra (LU) intranet. Lectures enable learners to gain a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the full range of subject-specific knowledge.
• Seminars, comprising structured oral and visual presentations and discussions of well-defined topics, by individual or groups of students to the rest of the full programme cohort and facilitated by tutors, supported by the programme bibliography and summaries posted on Learn Ultra Seminars enable learners to deepen their knowledge and critical understanding of a wide range of subject-specific knowledge, to enhance subject-specific skills in working with museum practical and research information, and to enhance key skills in the use of computer and information technology, accessing information resources, undertaking advanced independent study, participating responsibly in team work, communicating effectively, and managing time effectively.
• Tutorials, comprising group discussions, feedback, preparation of materials for discussion.
• Workshops, involving demonstration and hands-on exercises, using materials, techniques and facilities relevant to museum work and practice pertaining to exhibitions and their management, undertaken in smaller sized student groups, with personal tuition from professionally trained and experienced tutors, and supported by resources posted on Learn Ultra where appropriate. Practical classes enable learners to gain direct experience and competence in a wide range of subject-specific skills pertaining to museum exhibition work, and in key skills involving computer and information technology.
• Independent group work, involving time management and interpersonal communications, discussions and negotiations pertaining to the setting up, delivery and promotion of an exhibition, undertaken in smaller groups which are self-managed, supported by feedback from tutors where necessary.
• Self-guided learning, comprising personal and group-based study, research, revision, problem-solving and evaluation associated with classes and assignments. Self-guided learning enables students to increase their knowledge and critical understanding of the full range of subject-specific knowledge, and to gain experience and competence in the full range of subject-specific skills and key skills.
• The project work leads to an Exhibition and related activities -from concept development and research to development of delivery and promotion strategy
• The skills acquired include: Development and delivery of exhibition design, text, display and promotion and installation protocols; budget proposal and management; marketing strategy
• Development and delivery of all text (text panels, labels, promotional information, poster and invitation) and associated image copyright agreements; with agreement of Marcoms where appropriate.
• Installation and evaluation/review.

Group presentation of project, usually with a PowerPoint, accompanied by 1-page summary (2 sided) . The students are verbally briefed on the group presentation and how it supports the summative assignment. Following group discussion, a written summary of the feedback is given to the group.

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