Module Information
Module Identifier
IL20320
Module Title
Museums in the 21st Century
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Project 2500 Words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Report 2500 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Project 2500 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Report 2500 Words | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Outline the development of museums in the UK.
2. Discuss and analyse the changing nature of the field and the impact on services.
3. Outline the nature of museum artefacts and explain their value to society.
4. Describe the functions of a museum service and the work of a professional museum curator.
5. Identify and use a range of appropriate primary and secondary sources to support written work.
Brief description
This module explores the nature of the UK’s museums, the skills required to understand and interpret the objects found within them, and the role and responsibilities of those who care for them.
Content
This module divides into two parts, as follows:
1. The nature of museums
The British Museum was established in London in 1753 and was the first in the world to provide access to all. This module will survey the development of museum services in the UK before focusing on the nature of their contents. Consideration will be given to the way in which exhibitions are planned and designed to provide access to artefacts and other items found within museums.
2. Museum services
The module will focus on the role of museum services in the UK and professional curators. Key themes which will be explored include acquisition, preservation and conservation, as well as access and outreach. A visit to a local museum service will take place in order to reinforce how theory is translated into practice.
1. The nature of museums
The British Museum was established in London in 1753 and was the first in the world to provide access to all. This module will survey the development of museum services in the UK before focusing on the nature of their contents. Consideration will be given to the way in which exhibitions are planned and designed to provide access to artefacts and other items found within museums.
2. Museum services
The module will focus on the role of museum services in the UK and professional curators. Key themes which will be explored include acquisition, preservation and conservation, as well as access and outreach. A visit to a local museum service will take place in order to reinforce how theory is translated into practice.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | n/a |
| Communication | Effective academic writing skills will be assessed in the report element. The project develops appropriate professional presentation skills |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Reflection upon learning and information skills will be encouraged, and assignment feedback will facilitate further reflection. |
| Information Technology | Appropriate use of IT to identify relevant primary and secondary sources, including appraisal of online museum content in order to contribute to assignments. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Consideration of the skills developed in the module will be explored in relation to career options. |
| Problem solving | Assignment and seminar work will require identifying, evaluating and using appropriate primary and secondary source material in terms of relevance to the scope of the assignment or seminar issue. |
| Research skills | Through identification and critical analysis of appropriate source material. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Developing and understanding of academic subject and the relationship to professional issues. |
| Team work | This will be developed in preparing for seminars and through seminar exercises. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5