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AT5053: DECOLONISING MUSEUMS (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

Museums worldwide are grappling with the complex legacies of colonialism that have shaped collections, institutional practices, and museum relationships with their users. This course introduces students to current debates regarding how - and if - the museum can fully decolonise. It also gives them a grounding in the historical, social, and institutional contexts which have led to these debates, and introduces practice-based strategies to address one of the key challenges facing museums and heritage institutions today.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Rachel Smith

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Master of Letters in Museum Studies or Master Of Science In Cultural And Creative Communication or Mlitt In Film, Visual Culture & Arts Management (September Start) or Master Of Science In Cultural Heritage (September Start) or Master Of Letters In Philosophy And Society

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Museums worldwide are grappling with the complex legacies of colonialism. This includes addressing colonial violence, as well as recognising how cross-cultural exchange has shaped museum collections, institutional practices, and museum relationships with their users. This course introduces students to current debates regarding how - and if - the museum can decolonise, as well as giving them a grounding in the historical, social, and institutional contexts which have led to these debates. Matters such as government statements on repatriation, the extent to which the continued impact of colonial history should be presented in museums, and the legitimate (or otherwise) acquisition of collections regularly make the headlines; yet behind the scenes, many museums are dealing with equally challenging matters related to how the legacies of colonialism have shaped how they operate in the present and how they might be re-imagined for the future. This includes the ways in which racism affects museum staff and audiences. At the heart of this course are the questions of what it might mean to decolonise a museum? And how might that be achieved?

Using case studies involving a wide range of settings, students will learn that while museums of anthropology have confronted these questions for some time, they are actively being considered by museums of all kinds as they reflect upon their purpose in light of wider debates about human rights, inequalities, global mobility, and social justice. As such, students will reflect upon what decolonisation means in the context of natural history collections, art galleries, and science museums, as well as in venues such as anthropology museums. They may also reflect upon how approaches to decolonising the museum can influence a wide range of museum activities: from curatorial approaches to digital engagement, culturally sensitive collections management, and polyvocal interpretation, to revising governance structures and staffing, and overhauling marketing and retail.

Teaching will take the form of lectures and discussions, and where appropriate, will draw on the resources of the University of Aberdeen Museums and Special Collections.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Project Plan, Summary or Abstract

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 13 Feedback Weeks 15

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided on the standard mark sheet or online as appropriate. Oral feedback can be provided during staff feedback and consultation hours and during project presentations.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be learn how to discuss critically, in written and verbal form, current issues surrounding museums and decolonisation.
ConceptualEvaluateStudents will develop their skills in critically evaluating museum exhibitions, Web sites and other media.
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate an awareness of the current debates concerning museums and decolonisation, as well as the historical roots of these debates.
FactualUnderstandDrawing on relevant scholarly literature and museum policy documents, students will gain an appreciation of how museums are responding to current societal issues.
ProceduralCreateStudents will demonstrate evidence of independent research.

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 75
Assessment Weeks 20 Feedback Weeks 25

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided on the standard mark sheet or online as appropriate. Oral feedback can be provided during staff feedback and consultation hours and during project presentations.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be learn how to discuss critically, in written and verbal form, current issues surrounding museums and decolonisation.
ConceptualEvaluateStudents will develop their skills in critically evaluating museum exhibitions, Web sites and other media.
FactualUnderstandDrawing on relevant scholarly literature and museum policy documents, students will gain an appreciation of how museums are responding to current societal issues.
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate an awareness of the current debates concerning museums and decolonisation, as well as the historical roots of these debates.
ProceduralCreateStudents will demonstrate evidence of independent research.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 75
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Project Plan, Summary or Abstract

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 16 Feedback Weeks 17

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandDrawing on relevant scholarly literature and museum policy documents, students will gain an appreciation of how museums are responding to current societal issues.
FactualUnderstandStudents will demonstrate an awareness of the current debates concerning museums and decolonisation, as well as the historical roots of these debates.
ConceptualEvaluateStudents will develop their skills in critically evaluating museum exhibitions, Web sites and other media.
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be learn how to discuss critically, in written and verbal form, current issues surrounding museums and decolonisation.
ProceduralCreateStudents will demonstrate evidence of independent research.
ConceptualCreateStudents will demonstrate an ability to prepare material for leading and participating in seminar discussions.

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