This course focuses on theoretical and practical issues relating to indigenous collections and exhibitions, drawing its interdisciplinary approach and methodology from the fields of anthropology and cultural studies as well as museum studies. This allows students to develop a critical understanding of the creation, function, histories, politics and contemporary meanings of objects; the representation of cultures in museum displays and other public venues; shifting relations between source communities and museum; problems of landscape, place, and space; art and aesthetics; visual anthropology; and issues of representation, including photographic representation.
The specific emphasis is on collections and exhibitions relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that are held or displayed in Australia or overseas, but specific attention is also given to other ethnographic and historical collections and displays. Issues examined during the course include the history of collecting and exhibitions, community representation, ownership and intellectual property, repatriation, negotiation, preservation, and modes of display.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Course aims:
On completing this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Interpret institutional, agency and government policies and frameworks pertaining to Indigenous collections and consultation with Indigenous and other communities, and to engage in ethical and sensitive processes appropriate to the diversity of constituents and communities;
2. Conceptualise the main issues pertaining to repatriation and the preservation,ownership and intellectual property of traditional knowledge;
3. Evaluate the representation of Indigenous individuals and communities in museums and other exhibition contexts;
4. Conduct primary research into Indigenous collections including effective written and verbal communication; and
5. Model best practice and a commitment to ethical, reflective practice in crosscultural museum contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
1. To gain skills in written and verbal expression for a variety of relevant professional and academic purposes.
2. To develop skills in interdisciplinary cross-cultural thinking and the ability to apply theoretical ideas to case studies developed from personal observation.
3. To gain skills required for collections-based work. This includes data-collection, analysis, and verbal and written presentation at the standard of a postgraduate degree.
4. To gain skills required to model best practice and a demonstrate commitment to ethical, reflective practice in crosscultural museum contexts.
Indicative Assessment
Collections project comprising presentation and documentation equivalent to 2,500 words (65%) and 2,500 word essay (35%).
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
1.5 contact hours per week during semester; 19.5 hours total during one week of mid-semester break.Preliminary Reading
Kreps, Christina F. (2003), Liberating Culture: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Museums, Curation and Heritage Preservation, London and New York: Routledge.
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $3216 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4590 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9727 | 31 Oct 2018 | 09 Nov 2018 | 09 Nov 2018 | 09 Dec 2018 | In Person | N/A |
