Module ANTH30A7: Exhibiting Anthropology

Department: Anthropology

ANTH30A7: Exhibiting Anthropology

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To learn how to communicate anthropological knowledge and/or theory using ethnographic artefacts.
• To work creatively and collaboratively with a selection of objects of your choice .
• To curate a display case on a theme of your choice.
• To conduct your own research into material culture appropriately contextualised.
• To appreciate the aesthetics, politics and ethics of representing other cultures.
• To gain practical skills in museum display and public communication.

Content

• The module will introduce you to issues pertaining to the display of ethnographic objects
• The module will introduce you to the study of material culture, particularly situating objects in cultural context.

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced levels of current knowledge and intensive understanding in museum ethnography.
• Deploy analytical and practical skills specific to exhibiting ethnographic objects.
• Be competent in accessing and assimilating specialised research literature of an advanced nature.

• In depth knowledge of material culture and museological issues, with emphasis on interpretation and comprehensive understanding of primary or secondary data.

• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments in written form.
• Ability to arrange museum type displays and contextualise culturally.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Classes will integrate lecture, discussion and practical components.
• Lecture elements will provide students with an outline of key knowledge and debates in the museological area, discuss some relevant literature that students can explore, and provide examples and cases studies.
• Discussion sessions will develop topics introduced in lectures and encountered in arranging ethnographic displays to prepare students for their summative assignment.
• Practical components will provide students with hands-on experience of research involving material objects.
• Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references as appropriate to selected display topics related to the assessment, which will be a display and written report).
• Summative assessment: A display cabinet of selected objects (or, if we are obliged to engage in distance learning, a virtual display cabinet of objects of your choice on a theme of your choosing (this may be a drawing or an electronic production)). The display forms 50% of your mark for this module.
• Summative assessment: A Record of Research documenting the research background and development of your display project. The RoR forms the other 50% of your mark.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Project proposal. A draft Record of Research (500 words), including a working title, a list of objects, bullet-point notes/ description of planned display, list of 4 - 8 key references with brief sentence on each.