School of Library and Information Science
LIS61095/81095 Museum
Origins, Florence, Italy Summer2013
View from the Uffizi, 2012
Course Description
While the collecting of objects can be found as far back as ancient times in various parts of the world, the birth
of the modern museum finds its roots in Europe, especially in Italy. In the context of today’s world, students
will “go back in time” to understand the origins of Western museums and the meaning of publicly shared
collections through a series of competing dualisms in knowledge creation and organization. Students will
explore the history of the modern museum by visiting actual sites and collections that played a role in this
history. Examining the past in this way will help current and future museum professionals gain a better
understanding of their own role and purpose in their community, society and nation.
Study in the Palazzo dei Cerchi
Kent State University has its own facility in Florence, the Palazzo dei Cerchi, a prestigious building in the
historic center of the city, just north of Piazza della Signoria. Medieval Florentine sources date it at about 1280
and indicate that it belonged to the Cerchi merchant family. Records show that in the 15th century, the
building was used as studio space for Renaissance painters and later by Cosimo I de’ Medici as the ducal
printing house. Though fully restored and equipped for state-of-the-art educational purposes, the Palazzo dei
Cerchi preserves its outstanding medieval features and decorations.
General Schedule for the Course
June 10, 2013:
June 30- July 13, 2013:
August 3, 2013:
Course begins on Blackboard (online)
Course meets in Florence, Italy
Course ends
Overview
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An excellent on-site Kent State Florence staff administers the program, along with SLIS faculty member
Dr. K.F. Latham.
The arrival orientation and tours of the city cover academic, cultural and security issues, and provide
practical advice for living in Florence. Pre-orientation will also be provided before going to Italy.
All classes are Kent State University classes, earning Kent State University credit. Kent State University
is a fully accredited institution of higher education. Non-KSU students should confirm with their
academic advisor that credits can be transferred to their home institution as appropriate.
Admission to the course is competitive. Students of graduate standing at Kent State or other graduate
programs will qualify if they hold a GPA of 3.2 or above, have strong references and show a dedicated
interest in museum studies. Upper-division Kent State undergraduates with a 3.2 GPA also will qualify.
Your statement of application is important in the selection process. Be sure to submit a well-written
narrative explaining why you want to take this course and how it will benefit you. A selection
committee will determine who will be admitted to the course.
For the two weeks on-site in Florence, students live in shared apartments arranged by the university.
All apartments are fully furnished (students only need to bring towels) and are located within the
ancient city walls and within walking distance of the Palazzo. Students are responsible for their meals;
each apartment features a well-equipped kitchen and is near many different fresh markets, local
stores, and restaurants.
The whole course runs for eight weeks total: three weeks onlinetwo weeks in Florenceand three
weeks online, preparing the final research paper.
Class in Florence will be held during two weeks that run from Monday to Thursday the first week and
Monday to Friday the second week, allowing a free weekend in between. The general structure will be
to tour museums each morning, then return to Kent State Florence each afternoon for discussion.
Directed readings will be given in preparation for particular museum visits. Tours and lectures will be
provided in English by local Florentine scholars.
This course is not meant as a general tour of Florentine museums. It is a fairly intensive academic
exploration into the origins of museums and collections, compared to today’s museums.
This course can be taken at the graduate master’s level (61095) or doctoral level (81095).
Please note that some of the host country's museums, walkways and modes of transportation may not
be accessible according to ADA standards. As such, course participants may be required to climb
narrow and winding stairs, walk significant distances on cobbled streets and travel on buses, trains,
etc., without accessible features. Note, too, that as part of the various museum tours, participants may
be expected to stand for several hours at a time and do a lot of walking each day. Please contact Dr.
Kiersten F. Latham, course instructor, at kflatham@kent.edu with any questions or concerns. Kent
State University will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities
interested in participating in this program. If you require accommodations for this program, please
contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at 330-672-3391.
Estimated Costs
Student Status
Current KSU grad student
KSU Alumni (reapplication)***
Grad student from another
university (transient)***
Application
Program Fee
Airfare
Tuition
N/A
$0.00
$30
$1,675.00*
$1,675.00*
$1,675.00*
~$1,400-1,700**
~$1,400-1,700**
~$1,400-1,700**
Current cost
Current cost
Current cost
*Program fee includes Kent State Florence administrative fees, housing, HTH medical insurance, Office of Global Education fee,
entrance to museums, transportation to museums, lecturer fees and teaching materials. This fee is non-negotiable, non-refundable
and required to hold your place in the course; it does not include tuition or airfare. Payment is due in full by April 12; see last page
for payment instructions.
Note: Some costs are subject to the US$/Euro(€) exchange rate; if the rate changes greatly, a small adjustment to the Program
Fee may be necessary. The data indicated here reflect our best estimates at this time and the current fluctuation of the US$/Euro(€)
exchange rate. Assumed US$/Euro(€) = 1.38. All fees shaded in grey are non-refundable.
** Air travel is to be arranged on your own. Cost shown is estimate only. You are responsible for getting to the first day of class in
Florence. A copy of your flight itinerary is due by May 1, sent to slisinform@kent.edu.
*** KSU alumni and graduate students from other universities should visit the Graduate Studies application page,
http://www.kent.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/, and use the appropriate form. Alumni will use the “reapplication” form (no
application fee). Graduate students from other universities will use the “transient” application ($30 application fee). KSU
undergraduates should contact slisinform@kent.edu for a permission form.
Process Checklist & Due Dates
University Admission Application:
KSU Grad
students
KSU
Alumni
(grad)
Non-KSU
Grad
Students
NA
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
http://www.kent.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/
After Jan. 15, applications for university admission will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis.
DEADLINE EXTENDED
Course Application to SLIS (slisinform@kent.edu)
April 1
April 1
April 1
 Course Application Form (including Passport # and expiration
date)
 Statement of Application (Why do you want to take this course?)
 Two Letters of Recommendation (use form) from current advisor,
instructor and/or supervisor
 Graduate Transcript
 Waivers of Responsibility Form
After April 1, no further applications for Museum Origins course enrollment will be accepted.
By April 5
By April 5
By April 5
Students informed whether selected or not; may register for the course
April 12
April 12
April 12
Program Fees Due to SLIS/CCI (nonrefundable; see address on last page)
Copy of Plane Itinerary (and Passport Number with expiration date, if not
provided with application) to SLIS (slisinform@kent.edu)
Tuition Due (to KSU Bursar’s office)
By 5 p.m.
May 1
By 5 p.m.
May 1
By 5 p.m.
May 1
Early May
Early May
Early May
Museum Studies at Kent State SLIS
This course is part of a museum studies specialization within the Master of Library and Information Science
degree at Kent State School of Library and Information Science. Museums, like libraries, are in the information
business. The museum studies courses at Kent State employ a holistic approach to the study of museums as
institutions that generate and perpetuate knowledge. Students will gain an understanding of museums in
context as dynamic, interactive information systems composed of people, objects, and activities. Because the
SLIS courses are structured within a library and information science framework, students are able to cut across
the spectrum of traditional academic disciplines, which strengthens the skills of future museum professional by
giving them a broader perspective, a larger knowledge base, and more flexibility. Students in the Museum
Origins class do not need to be in the M.L.I.S. program, but should understand this unique approach to the
discipline of museum studies.
Please contact us with your questions: Dr. K.F. Latham, kflatham@kent.edu, or the SLIS office, 330-672-2782, slisinform@kent.edu.
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Send your course application, statement of application, letters of reference, graduate transcript and
Waiver of Responsibility Form by April 1 to:
Museum Origins
School of Library & Information Science
Kent State University
314 University Library, 1125 Risman
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242
Email: slisinform@kent.edu
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Upon acceptance into the course, send program fees (check payable to Kent State University; or call to pay with
credit card) by 5 p.m. April 12 to:
Audrey Lingenfelter, Senior Business Manager
Attn.: Museum Origins 2013
College of Communication + Information, Kent State University
131 Moulton Hall, Kent, OH 44242
Office: 330-672-5330 / Fax: 330-672-2952
Email: alingenf@kent.edu