HIST219 Museums & Historic Sites
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Historic Preservation
- I. Course Number and Title
- HIST219 Museums & Historic Sites
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- Students may be required to take a personal and/or group field trip.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Historic sites and museums offer a tangible connection to objects and places shaping our understandings of societies past and present. This course synthesizes philosophical and practical understandings of their structure, function, and operations. Students examine how objects/sites/places are collected, exhibited, and interpreted to make history meaningful to various publics.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- identify interdisciplinary skills utilized in cultural heritage fields to promote the understanding of objects, places, themes, and people;
- describe how governance, best practices, and professional standards influence all aspects of day-to-day practices at historic sites and museums;
- evaluate methods used to convey knowledge in a historic site and museum setting (e.g., interpretation, exhibition development, special programming, public events);
- discuss techniques and processes for physical care and documentation of sites and objects as related to facilities management and disaster planning;
- apply best practices to common management situations; and
- explain how historical and cultural objects and places reflect culture(s), inform historical narratives, and/or shape public memory.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
The following thematic topics will be incorporated into the course:
- cultural heritage and the public setting
- civic role of museums and historic sites
- varieties of museums; historic sites: history, people, and place
- heritage today: museums, historic sites, and historical societies in the nonprofit world
- mission statements
- governance and boards; strategic planning
- ethics; policy development
- personnel management, professional standards, and labor policies
- exhibits, interpretation and interpretive planning
- public programs: education, community collaboration, interpretation, and exhibit development
- community connections: marketing, branding, membership, publications, and social media
- visitor/guest services
- financial management; financial stability, grants, and fundraising
- collections: management, care, conservation, and documentation
- facilities management, preservation, and disaster planning
- current issues: relevancy, technology, sustainability, climate change, accessibility, representation, neutrality, and/or repatriation
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Attainment of course learning goals may be assessed by one or more of the following:
- Primary and/or secondary source analyses
- Written assignments
- Discussion responses
- Journals
- Exams
- Case study analyses
- Research-based reports
- Field experiences
- Presentations
- Critiques
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Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 11/2012; New Core 8/2015; Rev: 10/1/2025