Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

MSL (20 credits) is a version of the existing 30 credit MSL taught on the MSc Museum Education campus programme and the 20 credit online course which is part of the M Sc Museum Education (DL). This course is intended to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical awareness of the historical, physical, cultural, social and political contexts and narratives of museum education in order to understand museums and heritage institutions as sources for learning. The role, value and theoretical justification for museum education in terms of enhancing experience and of deepening knowledge for visitors in the 21st century will be an important focus.

Two hours per week for 10 weeks (on campus) in Semester 1.

None

None

Museums, Education and Curriculum Development (IM)

Access and Inclusion (IM)

Critical Enquiry (IM)

The assessment is in two parts: an essay (50%) and a poster accompanied by audio presentation (50%).

1. Students will be required to write a 2000 word essay, presenting a strong argument for museums and heritage sites as important sources for learning with reference to literature, policies and research. Their arguments should reflect a sound understanding of the historical, social, cultural and political contexts and impact of museum education.

 (50%)

2. Students will be required to submit a digital poster presentation with audio accompaniment, effectively communicating their knowledge and understanding of the ways in which historical, social, cultural and political aspects of museum education intersect and resultant implications for museum education planning.

The aim of this course is to provide students with a critical awareness of the historical, physical, social, cultural and political context of the museum as an educational source in order to build and extend their knowledge of museum spaces and objects as means for stimulating effective learning. The societal value and theoretical justification for object handling in terms of exploring/extending knowledge and skills for museum visitors will be a prime focus.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ LO1 Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the theory of museum and heritage object/collections-based learning and how this translates to practice, conceptualizing the value and impact for young people and for adults in a variety of contexts.

■ LO2 Effectively communicate in writing and orally, a critical understanding of how the design and management of the physical environment and human engagement with the physical environment influences the learning experience.

■ LO3  Demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical, social and cultural contexts of museum and heritage institutions, arguing knowledgeably for the value and impact of the museum as a site and source for formal, informal and non-formal learning.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.