Chabot College
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Art 6
MUSEUM STUDIES
Catalog Description:
Art 6 – Museum Studies
May be repeated 2 times
4.5 units
Historical overview of museums and practical, hands-on instruction in skills basic to museum and
gallery workers. Held in Chabot’s student art gallery with visits to local museums, galleries and/or
historical societies. Social role of museums, art handling, curating, registration, preparation,
exhibition and art education. Culminates in the hanging of an on-campus art exhibition.
Prerequisites: any two of the following four courses: Art 1, Art 4, Art 5, or Art 67/Photography 67
(completed with a grade of C or higher). 3 hours lecture, 5 hours laboratory.
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
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compare and contrast the basic visual elements;
analyze and explain the principles of design;
identify, evaluate and define two-dimensional and three-dimensional media;
make critical, aesthetic value judgments about 2-D and 3-D art;
identify works of art by their technical processes;
identify the major themes and purposes in art;
interpret the various ways in which works of art have been used as vehicles of expression;
demonstrate a knowledge of significant art achievements and periods of the ancient,
medieval, modern and/or contemporary civilizations;
9. explain artistic achievements in relation to later developments and to the present.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1. chart the history of museums from their origins to the present and recognize the importance
of museums as guardians of history and culture;
2. reflect upon changing theories of exhibition design in light of challenges posed by
multiculturalism, technology, gender issues, globalization, etc.;
3. discuss specific watershed exhibitions from the distant and recent past;
4. differentiate the duties of various museum professionals such as registrar, curator, and
educator after hearing from guest speakers who hold these positions;
5. identify the holdings and behind-the-scenes operations of local museums, galleries and/or
historical societies;
6. demonstrate basic museum-specific skills such as art handling, curating, registration,
preparation, exhibition and education;
7. participate in the preparation of an opening night gallery event.
Course Content:
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The history of museums and their importance for preserving history and purveying culture
How museums and their exhibitions reflect social change
Case studies of specific watershed exhibitions
The various museum professions
Behind-the-scenes operations of local museums, galleries and/or historical societies
Art handling, curating, registration, preparation, exhibition and education
The function of an opening night event
Chabot College
Course Outline for Art 6, Page 2
Fall 2006
Methods of Presentation:
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Lectures
Discussion
Guest speakers
Field trips
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Prepare a summary of the reading and deliver it orally to the class
b. Write an essay on a museum visit
c. Undertake a task required for hanging the exhibit
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Participation in discussions
b. Quizzes
c. Gallery talks
d. Lab work
e. Written assignments
f. Final exam
Textbook(s) (Typical):
The Birth of the Museum: History, Theory, Politics. Tony Bennett. Routledge, 2003.
The Manual of Museum Exhibitions. Barry Lord and Gail Dexter Lord. Altamira Press, 2001.
Museums: A Place to Work/Planning Museums Careers. Jane R. Glaser with Artemis A.
Zenetou. New York, Routledge, 1996.
Special Student Materials:
None
DZ g\Curriculum2006\Art6
Revised: 9/27/05