ARH 1100 Museums are not Neutral

This introductory-level course takes as its starting point the widespread social media hashtag #MuseumsAreNotNeutral, initiated by art historian LaTanya Autry and museum educator Mike Murawski, and its adoption by museum and art history professionals across the globe. Although museums often deliberately appear to be objective repositories of culture, knowledge, science, and history, they play a complex determining role in how power, belief, and bias are constructed and affect how museum-goers understand the world. Students will examine, analyze, and learn to critique the roles museums play in society; the course is open to any student, and is particularly apt for those considering a career in museums, although special attention will be paid to art history museums. No prerequisite.

Credits

4

Course Types

Civilization; ARH Elective; AAASE Elective; MPH Elective

Offered

• Fall
• Spring

Notes

The MPH Minor is in the process of being submitted to the curriculum committees.

1. • know and be able to accurately explain specific examples of how museums have historically contributed to, framed, and represented white supremacy and colonialism;
2. • develop a larger mental framework, grounded in our course readings, for the role museums play in perpetuating white supremacy and colonialism, and be able to articulate it in a form understandable and persuasive to others;
3. • be able to independently identify problematic practices or principles in specific existing museums;
4. • know and be able to accurately explain specific examples of ways artists have critiqued institutions from the inside;
5. • develop a well-supported argument, grounded in our course readings, for what you think would be the best solution to this ongoing problem.