MUSE 395 – Topics: Fakes, Forgeries, and Stolen Art
M/W 2:30 -3:45pm
It has been estimated, by some, that 40% of the artwork on the market today is either a fake or a forgery. Combine that statistic with the countless pieces of art and antiquities that have been looted over centuries, and it makes sense why faking or stealing art is such a lucrative enterprise. This class will discuss complex issues such as authentication, repatriation, the black market and art law, and scientific advancements in identification technology to help combat the illegal trade of art.
AH 412 – History of Museums
M/W 12:30-1:45pm
This course provides a broad introduction to the museum world. Where and why did the concept of the public art museum emerge, and how have its functions changed over time? How do art museums continue to shape our definitions of what art is? Students will explore the history, role, and function of museums, investigate the art museum from historical and contemporary perspectives while acquiring some theoretical background. Starting with cabinets of curiosities in the sixteenth century, we will then discuss the birth of an institution open to the public in the 18th and 19th century, and look at the way it has evolved in the contemporary world. We will explore issues related to collecting art objects and the formation of museums in the United States, discuss different types of museums, their architecture and the way objects are displayed. We will also understand the different jobs and duties occurring in a museum including research, education, conservation and fundraising with a variety of hands-on experiences and field trips.
CLC 415/AH406 – Studying Ancient Artifacts
T/TH 11:00-12:15
This course is designed to introduce students to various genres of Greek and Roman artifacts including sculpture, vases, terracotta figurines, lamps, coins, glass and the scholarly methods used to study them. The class will meet frequently at the University Museums for work with material in the David M. Robinson collection and at the University Library’s Archives Department. Students will select objects in the David M. Robinson Collection at the University Museum for their research projects, which will include essay (catalogue entry), oral report, and participation in creating a mini-exhibition at the University Museums and contributing to an exhibition catalogue.
HST 465 – Digital History
MWF 10 – 10:50am
This course will examine the evolution of digital technologies as they have been applied to the practice and study of history in the last 20 years. We will investigate different methodologies – including gaming, social media, data mining and mapping, and immersive and interactive experiences with the goal of evaluating their effectiveness in assisting in the process of conducting or sharing the creation of “history” with both fellow historians AND the public.
SST 556 – Heritage Tourism in the South
T/TH 4:00 – 6:30pm
A multidisciplinary seminar for students who wish to employ theoretical and practical approaches to examining the movements of heritage site tourists within Southern regional spaces. The class gives special attention to issues of power and politics.