This course will provide a critical overview of the history and formation of museums, their roles in contemporary society and the future museum. It will examine the different contexts and perspectives through which museums can be understood, as institutional, civic and architectural spaces which display, study and house objects of historical, artistic, cultural, or scientific significance. The course will draw on case studies to critically explore museum practices and policies relating to the relationship between objects and meaning, museum design, colonialism and de-colonising of museums, museums and communities, and museums in the digital economy.
This is a core gateway course in the postgraduate program in Museum Studies.ﾠIt provides students with a critical understanding of current museum theory and practice. It offers the overall theoretical framework for the postgraduate program in Museum Studies.
MUSM7000 is available for students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate or Master of Museum Studies. Postgraduate students from other appropriate areas of study are welcome to apply for enrolment into the course through the course coordinator.
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Entry into the Museums Studies Program. Graduate students from other appropriate areas of study are welcome to apply for entry into the course through the course coordinator.
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Museum Context provides students with a critical understanding of museums, both public and private, in their historical and contemporary contexts. The course aims to:
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Be conversant with the interdisciplinary nature of museology
LO2.
Discuss and reflect on the historical context of museums and galleries
LO3.
Evaluate and debate the contemporary role of museums and galleries
LO4.
Articulate key theoretical approaches to the functions of museums and galleries
LO5.
Analyse case studies to compare different approaches to museums and galleries
LO6.
Collaborate with others to investigate and present a proposal engaging with contemporary issues in museums
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Assessment 1: Participation on discussion board | 25% |
29/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Assessment 2: Object Biography | 35% |
27/03/2025 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Assessment 3: Research Essay | 40% |
29/05/2025 2:00 pm |
29/05/2025 2:00 pm
Students must post on a minimum of 12 separate readings to pass this assessment. Each reading response counts as one response.
If you post once but include two responses to two different texts this counts as 2 postings.
Using the Discussion Board on the course Blackboard site students post a few sentences (50-75 words) about each of the required readings for each weekly topic from week 1 to week 12. Students must post ideally on the required readings BEFORE the seminar for which they are set.
In your post you should say what you think the key arguments of the reading are. You can add your own opinion about the reading, its style and content.
The purpose of this assessment is to become fluent in critical reading and to learn key theories in museum studies. These readings can also be used to build your essay assessment.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Using the Discussion Board on the course Blackboard site students post a few sentences (50-75 words) about each of the required readings for each weekly topic from week 1 to week 12. Students must post ideally on the required readings BEFORE the seminar for which they are set.
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
27/03/2025 2:00 pm
Write a 1200-word biography of a museum object of your choice. You can choose from any museum online or from the campus museums excluding the following objects which you should not use for your essay; the Elgin marbles, Benin bronzes, Rosetta stone, anything from the Summer Palace Beijing, jewels of Helen; Macquarie chest, any item in the Encounters exhibition.
When writing the essay think about the object’s materials and form and what it tells us, its history, including its contemporary relevance, and its life before and after it entered the museum. It might be that there are large parts of your objects biography that are undocumented so you can say this and focus on those moments that are known.
You should draw on relevant contextual literature drawn from the course reading lists and your own object specific research, and include at least one figure. The essay should be structured with a clear introduction and conclusion, and a bibliography (the bibliography is separate from the word count). References should follow one consistent style.
State your essay word count excluding the bibliography on the title page of your submitted essay.
References should be included in the essay, text NOT as foot or end notes, as author and date of publication e.g. (Smith;1920). If you are quoting from the author then include the page number where the quote occurs. E.g. (Smith 1920;21).
The total mark will be translated into a percentage and therefore marked out of 100. Your mark will appear in the Blackboard grade centre as out of 35% and out of 7 as your grade.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
29/05/2025 2:00 pm
Write a 2,700 word research essay, based on one of the essay topics, focusing on critical issues in museum history, theory and/or practice. Your essay should be structured with an introduction contextualising your argument and approach, literature review, examples to illustrate your argument, analysis, and a conclusion. You should draw on museum studies literature, include case studies (ideally based on first-hand experience), and place these within a critical context. You may choose to integrate your own material, including images, into the essay. Full bibliography is required and consistent referencing throughout (Bibliography is not included in word count).
The criteria outlined in the rubric will be graded out of a total 100 marks. The mark will then be translated into a percentage.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
UQ Library offers training in software, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Museum Studies are primarily located in theﾠCentral Library. A Museum Studies subject guide is also available.ﾠ
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the Library Liaison for the School of Social Science for assistance (librarians@library.uq.edu.au).
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 1: Introduction: Museum Theory and practice This introductory session will be online only. It will provide an overview of the course. It will set out the expectations of the course, the weekly format, and the course requirements for the semester. The introductory lecture considers the many facets of the contemporary museum. Readings/Ref: Blackboard Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 2: The Formation of the Museum What is a museum? What is the role of a museum? This class is an in person class as is the rest of semester. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 3 content: The Social Lives of objects What is an object? Do museums need objects and do objects need museums? In this session we will begin thinking critically and creatively about objects in the museum. Objects have been said to have social lives, just as people do but what does that mean? A complete biography is critical to a museum's objects value. We will explore ideas about objects, biographies and histories in museums, and introduce some material culture theory that helps us critically analyse the relationships between people and objects. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Seminar |
Week 4 content: The Transformational Museum This session explores the way that objects are interpreted and can be transformed in meaning by the museum through their exhibition and curation. We do this by investigating theories about the way the museum can change the meaning of objects, especially through exhibitions. The history of the museum is also an architectural history. The architectural space of the museum entails a spatial ordering of knowledge, bodily movements, experiences and perceptions. In contrast to the supposed neutrality of the 'white cube' gallery, a new generation of architects see the museum building as integral to the museum's 'programme' and as a dynamic aspect of the visitor experience. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 5: Museums as colonialism A multitude of older museums are both artefacts of colonialism and colonising in their remit and operations. Until recently this was a hidden dimension of art museums though anthropology especially were deemed culpable institutions with historically inequitable and exploitive collecting practices. In this session we explore the colonial roots of museums and systems of collecting and the implications that these have for museums in the 21st century. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 6: The Redemptive Museum Responding to the colonial museum many Indigenous artists and scholars have sought to reinterpret history. In this session we draw on the influential textual work of Aileen Moreton Robinson, the visual work of artists including Julie Gough, and scholars, to explore what decolonisation in museums might be as a process. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 7: Intellectual Property Whose property is cared for in museums? In this seminar we explore the concept of intellectual property and copyright through case studies of Australian First People's cultural products. Case study the copyright of Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira's watercolours and the Australian Indigenous flag. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 8 : The digital Museum; Museums as digital media By now many museums are digitally mediated museums. This seminar examines the role of digital technologies in constituting the contemporary museum. Digital media constitutes both the structure and the visitor experience of the museum. The process of digitizing museum and the use of social media by museums has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will explore the potentials and ethics of the online world for museums. As theorists propose that the digital museum is the future we will ask: what will be the future for the real museum? Or is this the wrong question? Guest lecture: Dr Caroline Wilson Barnoa Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Week 9: Museum Ethics and Activism This session focuses on the social role of museums and the ethics of industry sponsorship of museums. How can cash strapped museums find ethical sponsors and what is ethical anyway? In this session we also ask the linked question of whether museums can and should be activists? We will explore this topic through the work of several museum activists and case studies. Visit to Fryer Library Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 10: No Class Public Holiday |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Seminar |
Week 11: The Inclusive Museum; education in museums This session will explore the relations between museums, education and communities. In recent years the museum has become the site of life long learning delivered through exhibitions and public programs in digital and physical spaces. The new museum education is not just for schools but aimed at including all audiences. Guest Speaker tbc: Terry Deen Head of education at QAGOMA Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Museums, Identity & Representation Public museums have played an important role in nation-building and identity formation. Focusing on the relationship between museums, the state, and society, this session explores the identity work of public museums. Museums have been vehicles for national representation and international diplomacy, and they have helped shape, define and forge a sense of national identity and citizenship. Drawing on museum and exhibition case-studies from Australia and internationally, in this session we will examine the roles public museums have played in the construction of national identity and cultural difference, and in the (re-) writing of national histories. Visit to UQ Art Museum current exhibition curator talk Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Peer Assisted Study Session |
No class- Independant study |
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.