Course Info: CS-0251
| Course | CS-0251 Museums as Learning Contexts |
| Long Title | Museums as learning contexts: Designing and assessing museum spaces for learning |
| Term | 2019S |
| Note(s) |
Textbook information |
| Meeting Info | Emily Dickinson Hall 5 on F from 1:00-3:50 |
| Faculty | Timothy Zimmerman |
| Capacity | 20 |
| Available | 8 |
| Waitlist | 0 |
| Distribution(s) | |
| Cumulative Skill(s) | Writing and Research Multiple Cultural Perspectives |
| Additional Info | In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, informal learning observations, and independent research. There will be field trips associated with this course. The expected cost per student is $15, or free. |
| Description | In this course, we explored the explicit and implicit assumption that learning occurs in museum spaces. Many museums (art, science, etc.) and designed museum-like spaces such as aquariums, sculpture gardens, and historical centers, often collectively called "informal learning institutions," frequently include educational components in their mission statements or goals. Yet, how are these components enacted or realized? Several questions drove our inquiry: How do we define learning in these settings? How do we measure learning in these settings? What design or program elements foster learning in these settings? How do culture, social norms and notions of privilege influence learning in these spaces? We discussed foundational readings and critical research on museum learning. Students also conducted museum learning activities, helped on a whole-class project, and wrote a paper on a relevant topic of interest. |