MC1HPE-Museum History, Policy and Ethics

Module Provider: The Museum of English Rural Life
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Rhi Smith
Email: r.smith@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores and critically analyses the historical, political and ethical factors which influence contemporary museum practice. It investigates topics such as the origins of museums, collecting histories, social justice, repatriation, hidden voices, decolonisation, inclusivity, and the role of different audiences in curation. Case studies and museological theory are used to debate the role of museums in modern society. Students take part in lectures, seminars and museum visits and work is assessed through one coursework essay and a groupwork online resource.

Aims:

Museums are shaped by wide-ranging historical, ethical and political influences. This module explores the historical and political context of museum development within a global context. It also examines some of the central ethical debates within the wider museums sector and discusses the role of museums in contemporary society.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• identify, investigate and debate current ethical debates within the museum sector.


• synthesise a range of sources into a digital guide investigating the historical and political context of a museum.


• apply theory and professional guidelines to critically explore an ethical dilemma.

Additional outcomes:

Through planning visits to other museums students will develop their organisational and networking skills. They will also develop observational and recording skills through their analysis of other museums. Students' communication skills will be further developed through seminar discussions, and an organised debate. Digital research skills will be developed by using online resources and developing an online resource.

Outline content:

This module will examine the historical and political factors which influenced the formation of museums. It will begin by examining the challenges which face modern museums. The module will explore how specific museum policies are developed and their relationship with broader political changes. It also examines some of the ethical questions which all museums face. Students will engage with contemporary debates and examine how far ethical guidelines can resolve these problems. The module willgo on to interrogate the historical and social context in which museums developed as cultural institutions. This will include an examination of how late 20th and early 21st century identity politics have challenged the authority of the museum. This contextual and theoretical information will be used to predict and evaluate potential trajectories for the global future of museums. The University of Reading museums and collections will be used as a starting point for analysis, alongside other historical and international case studies. Students will also be taught how to use digital research and field trips to make their own observations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will be taught in the Museum of English Rural Life. Lectures will introduce theory and practice while seminars will involve the application of these ideas to concrete examples. Core content will be delivered via a mixture of live lectures, screencasts, and online resources. Live interactive sessions in person and online will allow you to trial the application of key ideas, engage in hands on learning, work with professional staff, plan assignments, and discuss issues raised in the core content. Seminars will provide the opportunity to work as a group with collections and case studies.  Group activities in seminars will develop student's interpersonal, research and communication skills. Assignments ask students to apply theory to specific case studies and involve self-led research.



As a 20 credit module Museum Policy, History and Ethics should involve 200 hours of study time. You should expect the following sort of workload:

• 30 hours in formal teaching.


• 70 hours work researching and writing summative assignments


• 20 hours: visiting and taking notes at

 Museums.

• 20 hours online research e.g. exploring links and case studies connected to screencasts and seminars.


• 60 hours: Working through the reading list and note-taking from key texts for each week's topic(s) - i.e. 6 hours per week.

Assignments require students to conduct independent research. Students will be responsible for the management of their own assignments. An enquiry-based learning structure will support students in seminars as they undertake research on assignments.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		20
Fieldwork		20
Guided independent study:		150
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Ethics Essay - 60% of final module mark - 2000 words

Group online resource - 40% of final module mark – Create a webpage for a non-UK museum.

Formative assessment methods:

Using collaborative online space to collate resources for assignments.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023