MC1PP-Presenting the Past

Module Provider: The Museum of English Rural Life
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn 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:

Museum display environments create representations of the past through a complex process of design, curatorship, and interpretation. This module uses museological theory and practice to interrogate the way that heritage organisations present the past to the public.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with the analytical and research skills needed to independently critique heritage interpretation and its principal components (audio-visual content, text, graphics, display configurations etc).

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to: - Demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice informing heritage interpretation. - Make clear and concise observations and analyses of museum displays. - Present these observations and analyses in structured writing. 

Additional outcomes:
Through planning visits with other students to museums on and off campus students will develop their project management and networking skills. Oral and written communication skills will be enhanced through presenting work in progress, and seminar discussions. Students will also develop digital skills through examining web-based and digital forms of museum communication.

Outline content:

The module will explore how heritage interpretation creates representations of past life ways for, and with, different audiences. It will begin by briefly examining the theoretical, political and historical context which informs contemporary heritage interpretation. Ethical and practical issues will be explored by working through the different scales of interpretation used by museums and other heritage organisations. Weekly case studies will explore how different topics and time periods havebeen collected and interpreted. There will be opportunities to study exhibitions first-hand with professional staff in the campus museums and Reading Museum. National and international examples will be used to examine current and historical trends in museum interpretation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will be taught in the Museum of English Rural Life. Lectures will give an introduction to the theoretical and historical background of material culture and museum studies. Seminars will be interactive and include contributions from MERL curatorial, public programming and archive staff, who will connect their areas of expertise to wider issues regarding museum interpretation. Core content will be delivered via a mixture of live lectures, screencasts, and online resources. Live inte ractive 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.

As a 20 credit module Museum Communication and Interpretation should involve 200 hours of study time. You should expect the following sort of workload:

• 30 hours in formal teaching.


• 30 hours: subject spe cific reading for exhibition assignment e.g. collecting and interpretation of Ancient Egypt.20 hours visit to, research and notetaking for chosen exhibition site.


• 30 hours: Writing and editing assignments.


• 30 hours: Visiting and taking notes at local and other museums.


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

Assignments require student s to apply museum theory to museum displays and are designed to engage students in the process of 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	50
Guided independent study:	120
Total hours by term	200	0	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:

Reading Journal (7 entries of 300 - 400 words each) - 40% of the final module mark.

Essay - 2000 word critique of a museum exhibition (including appendix of materials from self- led field trip to exhibition). 60% of final module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Use of online collaborative board in webinars to compile, critique and share resources and ideas.

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