Special Lecture: Thinking and learning through museums

Academic unit or major

Humanities and social science courses

Instructor(s)

Yakup Bektas

Class Format

Lecture (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

5-6 Mon

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.T112

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2025

Offered quarter

2Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 19, 2025

Language

English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

THINKING and LEARNING THROUGH MUSEUMS:

Museums are keepers and interpreters of the cultural treasures of the world. Flourishing in number and capacity now as never before, they have evolved into highly diverse forms, yet they always present themselves as centers of aesthetic enjoyment, intellectual stimulation, and learning. This course treats them as the source of a direct thinking, learning, and even amusement experience. It aims to explore how museums display and tell stories of art, history, science, and technology through material artifacts. In addition, it reflects on how visitors learn from the objects and artifacts on display. The course encourages students to get to know museums and galleries of all forms and sizes, to evaluate large exhibitions and individual objects and then discuss their impressions in the class and write short reviews.

(Format: Conducted in a seminar format except for the first two or three classes. Students form groups, each of which visits a museum or gallery. Then, in class, students describe what they have seen and discuss the ideas behind the exhibits and how they are designed, organized, and presented. They choose a single object or artifact, relate its history and significance, and evaluate the effectiveness of the labels. Groups are free to choose museums depending on their interests and convenience. (We might visit our university museum briefly during one of our early classes.))

Course description and aims

To become familiar with museums and galleries and to recognize them as cultural assets; and to learn from what they put on display. To develop the ability to appreciate, interpret and criticize museum displays and artifacts from diverse perspectives.

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

Worked at the Smithsonian Institution (Museum of the American History) for several years. There, participated in courses and work on museums and exhibitions.

Keywords

Museums, museology, museum studies, museums and culture, museums and artwork, displaying science and technology, museums and nationalism, museums and teaching.

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Format: Conducted in a seminar format except for the first couple of classes. Students form groups, each of which visits a museum or gallery. Then, in class, students describe what they have seen and discuss the ideas behind the exhibits and how they are designed, organized, and presented. They choose a single object or artifact, relate its history and significance, and evaluate the effectiveness of the labels. Groups are free to choose museums depending on their interests and convenience. (We might visit our university museum briefly during one of our early classes.)

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Recommended reading and audio-visuals (will be circulated a week before the course starts)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Grading will be based on class participation and writing assignments (short essays). Class participation will account for 80% of the grade, and writing assignments will account for 20%. Students are encouraged to actively engage in discussions and activities, asking or responding to questions directly in class, or indirectly through questions and comments on reaction slips. Submission of reaction slips is required each time as proof of class participation.

Related courses

• None as now

Prerequisites

None

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

bektas.y.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp

Office hours

The hour after every class. Other times by appointment by email or call.