Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:00
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.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
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.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 75 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 20 | Feedback Weeks | 25 | |
| 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. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Students will be learn how to discuss critically, in written and verbal form, current issues surrounding museums and decolonisation. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Students will develop their skills in critically evaluating museum exhibitions, Web sites and other media. |
| Factual | Understand | Students will demonstrate an awareness of the current debates concerning museums and decolonisation, as well as the historical roots of these debates. |
| Factual | Understand | Drawing on relevant scholarly literature and museum policy documents, students will gain an appreciation of how museums are responding to current societal issues. |
| Procedural | Create | Students will demonstrate evidence of independent research. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 13 | Feedback Weeks | 15 | |
| 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. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Students will be learn how to discuss critically, in written and verbal form, current issues surrounding museums and decolonisation. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Students will develop their skills in critically evaluating museum exhibitions, Web sites and other media. |
| Factual | Understand | Drawing on relevant scholarly literature and museum policy documents, students will gain an appreciation of how museums are responding to current societal issues. |
| Factual | Understand | Students will demonstrate an awareness of the current debates concerning museums and decolonisation, as well as the historical roots of these debates. |
| Procedural | Create | Students will demonstrate evidence of independent research. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 16 | Feedback Weeks | 17 | |
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 75 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Drawing on relevant scholarly literature and museum policy documents, students will gain an appreciation of how museums are responding to current societal issues. |
| Factual | Understand | Students will demonstrate an awareness of the current debates concerning museums and decolonisation, as well as the historical roots of these debates. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Students will be learn how to discuss critically, in written and verbal form, current issues surrounding museums and decolonisation. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Students will develop their skills in critically evaluating museum exhibitions, Web sites and other media. |
| Procedural | Create | Students will demonstrate evidence of independent research. |
| Conceptual | Create | Students will demonstrate an ability to prepare material for leading and participating in seminar discussions. |
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