Course Catalogs

Museum Studies (MUS)

MUS 500  Selected Topics  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable  
MUS 503  Introduction to Museum Studies  (3 Credits)  
Design  
The museum's historical development and its role in modern society. Curatorial methodologies, research techniques, professional ethics, and effective writing. Permission of instructor
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking  
MUS 504  Administrative Challenge and Change in Museums  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Organizational change and current practice will be explored through visits to New York City museums and galleries. Presentations will be given by museum professionals.
MUS 506  Ethnographic Curatorship  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Overview of important theoretical and practical challenges facing curators of history and anthropology, using theoretically grounded and case-study based readings. Students also have the opportunity for hands-on experience with collections through a final exhibition project.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking  
MUS 507  Digital Collections Management & Preservation  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Course explores the creation, organization, and preservation of digital collections. Born-digital, digital surrogate, and archival assets will be defined and discussed as they relate to museum collections and cultural heritage.
Repeatable  
Prereq: MUS 607 or MUS 407  
MUS 508  Identifying Materials, Processes & Techniques  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Students will examine, identify, and understand various techniques and materials used in the wide range of objects that populate permanent collections, an essential skill for museum collection professionals, curators, and historians.
MUS 600  Selected Topics  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable  
MUS 601  Museum Preparation & Installation  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Introduction to the basics of art and object handling, installation techniques, object preparation, passive conservation, matting, framing, storage, shipping. New technologies and contemporary practices, including projection, lighting, and sound installations.
MUS 602  Digital Tools for Museums  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Introduces fundamental applications used in museums and collections through the management of archival digital assets; production of exhibition graphics, printed collateral, promotional material; and digital modeling. Field related best practices, compliance and industry standards.
MUS 603  Practicum I Graduate Seminar in Museum Studies  (1.5 Credits)  
Design  
The Practicum I Graduate Seminar will explore themes of professional practice, academic standards, general best practice, and current trends and topics in the museum and cultural heritage field. Guest speakers and student presentations will introduce contemporary issues and facilitate dialogue about contemporary museum practice.
MUS 604  Practicum II Graduate Seminar in Museum Studies  (1.5 Credits)  
Design  
The Practicum II Graduate Seminar will continue to build on the professional practice themes and strategies introduced in Practicum I.
Advisory recommendation Prereq: MUS 603  
MUS 607  Collections Management  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 407  
Administration and operation of a museum collection, including registration, cataloging, storage techniques, conservation, insurance, shipping, handling. Computer registration, photographic documentation systems, and other information retrieval systems. Laboratory experience in SU Art Collections. Additional work required of graduate students.
MUS 614  Tourism, Museums and Heritage Sites  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 414  
This course explores cultural tourism in relation to museums and heritage sites.
MUS 616  Making History, Building Community: Debates and Themes in Museum Interpretation  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 416  
Explores the role of history museums and their companion spaces - historic sites, national parks, memorials and monuments - in shaping understanding of the past, the interpretive challenges that arise with public engagement
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking  
MUS 670  Experience Credit  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Participation in a discipline or subject related experience. Student must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Permission in advance with the consent of the department chairperson, instructor, and dean. Limited to those in good academic standing.
Repeatable  
MUS 690  Independent Study  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Exploration of a problem, or problems, in depth. Individual independent study upon a plan submitted by the student. Admission by consent of supervising instructor(s) and the department.
Repeatable  
MUS 700  Selected Topics  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable  
MUS 703  Fine Art Curatorship  (3 Credits)  
Design  
This course explores the history and current trends in fine art curatorship. Students will be exposed to various curatorial styles and methods specifically dealing with fine arts, and hone research and writing skills through curatorial projects.
MUS 704  Museum/Gallery Internship  (0 Credits)  
Design  
Eight weeks or more of full-time work in an approved museum or gallery under close supervision of senior staff. Permission of department chair
MUS 705  Print Curatorship  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 405  
The origins and development of printmaking media are highlighted. Emphasizing the study of original prints by Durer, Rembrandt, Whistler, Picasso, and Rauschenberg in the University Art Collection. Additional work required of graduate students.
MUS 706  Exhibition Design  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 406  
This course teaches the fundamental theory and practice of exhibition design. Concepts including accessibility in design, practical and digital approaches and conceptual strategies will be presented. University and community museums and collections provide hands-on opportunity to apply technical skills and theoretical concepts. Additional work for graduate students.
Advisory recommendation Prereq: MUS 602 or DES 102  
MUS 708  Public Learning in Museums  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 408  
Examine the educational role of museums in society. Study contemporary educational theory, audience development, and accessibility issues within the museum context. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking  
MUS 709  Museum Management  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 409  
Principles of effective leadership; mission, vision, and values; board, staff, executive relationships; civic engagement; assembling workforce; fiscal procedures; budget development. Short and long term goals planning. Direct experience with local museum professionals. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking  
MUS 712  Museum Development  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Double-numbered with MUS 412  
Understanding philanthropy and the fundamentals of successful fundraising, articulating a case for support, building endowment, capital campaigns, special events, planned giving, corporate and foundational support, practicing stewardship, the development profession. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking  
MUS 750  Advanced Problems in Museum Studies  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Individual projects of substantial complexity addressing specific problems in the field. Permission of instructor
Repeatable 2 times for 6 credits maximum  
MUS 770  Experience Credit  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Participation in a discipline or subject related experience. Student must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Permission in advance with the consent of the department chairperson, instructor, and dean. Limited to those in good academic standing.
Repeatable  
MUS 790  Independent Study  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Exploration of a problem, or problems, in depth. Individual independent study upon a plan submitted by the student. Admission by consent of supervising instructor(s) and the department.
Repeatable  
MUS 896  Graduate Research Project  (3 Credits)  
Design  
Final presentation of research project accompanied by written statement and oral examination. Taken in final semester upon advisor's approval. Permission of chair
MUS 898  Degree in Progress  (0 Credits)  
Design  
MUS 970  Experience Credit  (1-6 Credits)  
Design  
Participation in a discipline or subject related experience. Student must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Permission in advance with the consent of the department chairperson, instructor, and dean. Limited to those in good academic standing.
Repeatable