Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Andrew Simpson
Contact via andrew.simpson@mq.edu.au
Museum of Ancient Cultures
Thursdays during semester 9am to 10am
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores the history, role and function of museums in society. Students will be introduced to the diversity of museum practice framed within historic and contemporary museum theory with a focus on the preservation and interpretation of cultural and natural heritage. The role of curators and other museum staff in research, teaching, exhibitions, information management and community outreach is investigated. Students will gain practical experience in these areas through the integration of campus museums in the delivery of the unit.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
All assignments are to be submitted via iLearn (external and internal students) on or before the due date. Extensions for assignments can only be granted for medical reasons or on compassionate grounds. Without documentation (medical or counselling certificates) or prior staff approval, a penalty of 2% a day, including weekends, will be applied. If required, applications for extensions should be made to your course convenor before the assignment's due date.
There is no final exam in AHIS205. The assessment for the unit is based on 2 major assignments and tutorial tasks (worksheets and other minor submitted work) and an assessment for tutorial participation. These are weighed as follows:-
• Major Assignment 1 (Object Study) 35% • Major Assignment 2 (Exhibition proposal) 50% • Tutorial tasks and Tutor assessment 15%
The unit is structured so that lectures and tutorials build skills and encourage creativity for the major assignment tasks.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Object analysis | 35% | No | 06/4/2018 |
Exhibition proposal | 50% | No | 04/6/2018 |
Tasks and discussions | 15% | No | continuous assessment |
Due: 06/4/2018
Weighting: 35%
Select a museum object or specimen of significance. This may be one you or your family owns (even the one used for the tutorial exercise during this unit), or it could be an object already in a museum collection.
Compile a detailed object description. Ensure that you research this object or specimen thoroughly including a statement of why it is significant in a collection context. Descriptive text and discussion for this research project should not exceed 2000 words. There is no limit on the supporting material you submit with your research paper. Please ensure that all your sources are properly referenced.
This is a second year academic essay, and you are expected to reference appropriately. Evidence of adequate research (in your written work and the research undertaken for it) is required to do well in this assignment.
This assignment will be assessed on the following equally weighted criteria:-
1. Precision of the descriptive statement
2. The quality of the contextual research about the object
3. Validity and appropriate use of significance criteria in the research report.
4. Precision and consistency of references and clarity of expression.
Due: 04/6/2018
Weighting: 50%
Develop an exhibition plan. Select a group of objects (at least 12) from a discipline of specific interest and formulate an exhibition plan for these objects. Draw a plan of your exhibition. Name your exhibition. Clearly outline the scope and purpose of the exhibition. Describe methods of displaying objects to best effect. Show examples of text and graphics for the display. Discuss which audiences the exhibition is developed for and note differences in display methodology for each. Discuss any educational package that might be associated with your exhibit if applicable. Text for the exhibition plan addressing the points above should not be any longer than 2000 words. There is no limit on supporting materials for your exhibition proposal eg. - examples of text and graphics, exhibition catalogue, exhibition promotional materials. Please ensure that all your sources are properly referenced. Note: We expect you will rely on the Unit Readings in part for some of your references as the basis of your research; you will then need to expand to further references to complete this assignment successfully.
This assignment will be assessed on the following equally weighted criteria:-
1. Creativity in the planning and naming of your exhibition
2. Concise explanations of the scope and purpose of the exhibition and clarity and persuasiveness of your arguments that support the exhibition proposal.
3. Clarity of your explanation of the proposed exhibition methodology and how it relates to different audiences.
4. Quality of supporting materials submitted.
5.Precision and consistency of references and clarity of expression.
Due: continuous assessment
Weighting: 15%
During the unit there will be discussions on tutorial topics (on-line and during class time). There will also be a small number of written exercises based on museum tasks that you will be asked to complete (both internal and external students). 15% of your overall mark will be a tutor's assessment of you work based on your level of participation in discussions (online and in person) and your ability to effectively complete small museum related procedural tasks in a timely fashion.
This assessment task will be evaluated on the following criteria:-
1. Successful and timely completion of minor tutorial tasks (to be submitted in class for internal students, through iLearn for external students).
2. Quality of contributions to tutorial discussions (through iLearn for external students, in class for internal students).
Lectures: Thursdays, 11:00am – 1:00pm; Room 226, 12 Second Way (Interesting heritage fact - this building used to be known as C5A)
Tutorials: Thursdays, 2 groups: 2:00pm - 3:00pm; 3:00pm - 4:00pm; all in the Museum of Ancient Cultures Room 321, 29 Wallys Walk (Interesting heritage fact - this building used to be known as X5B).
iLearn: Readings and other resource material for this unit will be made available for internal and external students on the iLearn site for AHIS205. https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ
If the unit is not available to you on iLearn, please advise the unit convenor by email andrew.simpson@mq.edu.au
Social media sites:
Twitter: @MuseumsAtMQ @Wheres_Minmi
Facebook group: Museum Studies at Macquarie University
Week |
Thursday Lectures: - 11:00am - 1:00pm |
Weekly readings: - supplied through iLearn (basic list only others TBA) |
Thursday Tutorials: - 2:00 - 3:00pm or 3:00 - 4:00pm or 4:00 - 5:00pm, Museum of Ancient Cultures or through iLearn for external students |
Week 1 1 Mar |
Lecture 1: Introduction to AHIS205, some general information about the unit Lecture 2: "Everything is collected" |
No readings this week |
Introductions: who are we, why are we all here, who's seen a good exhibition recently and other universally important questions. |
Week 2 8 Mar
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Lecture 3: Structure of museums - "who does what in a museum?" Lecture 4: Objects and object information |
Lewis (1992), Weil (1995) and maybe more! |
An initial encounter with various objects - what do they tell us? |
Week 3 15 Mar |
Lecture 5: “A sense of space” - museum buildings Lecture 6: Accessioning |
Sweet (2002), |
Introduce your object to everyone either in person or online
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Week 4 22 Mar |
Lecture 7: An introduction to significance Lecture 8: The condition of objects |
Significance 2.0 |
Writing a condition report for your object
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Week 5 29 Mar |
Lecture 9: Natural history and social history museums Lecture 10: A conservation primer |
Booth (1998), Martin (1996 X2), Martin & Swift (1997) |
Let's visit a natural history museum, did you know there is one on campus? Externals can you find one near you and report back? |
Week 6 5 Apr |
Lecture 11: Museums of art and culture Lecture 12: An introduction to heritage |
Museums Australia (1998), Heritage Collections Council (2000) First assignment due this week (Fri 6 Apr) |
Let's visit a social history museum, did you know there is one on campus? Externals can you find one near you and report back? |
Week 7 12 Apr |
Lectures 13 & 14 Guest lectures. Topics TBD |
TBD Recess follows week 7 |
Tutorial topic TBD |
Week 8 3 May |
Lecture 15: Exhibition development - "Putting on a show" - part 1Lecture 16: Exhibition development - "Putting on a show" - part 2 |
Keene (1996), |
Tutorial on analyzing exhibition work |
Week 9 10 May |
Lecture 17: Copyright and related issues Lecture 18: A primer on exhibition labels |
Shenk (1998), MacLulich (2000) |
Tutorial on exhibition labels |
Week 10 17 May |
Lecture 19 & 20: Special guest lecturer, topics TBD
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Kotler & Kotler (2000) |
Tutorial topic TBD |
Week 11 24 May |
Lecture 21: Education programs and learning in museums Lecture 22: Developing education programs in your museum |
Edson & Dean |
Tutorial, education programs in Macquarie University museums, let's check a few out (internals and externals) |
Week 12 31 May |
Lecture 23: The on-line museum Lecture 24: The future of collections |
Sumption (2001), Fopp (1997)
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Tutorial, narrative in exhibition work |
Week 13 7 Jun |
Lecture 25: Museology – what is it? Lecture 26: Disruption and change at the museum |
Assignment 2 due at the start of this week (Mon 4 Jun) Weil (1995)
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No formal tutorial this week – possible end of unit event to be advised |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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