Minor Museum Studies
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Minor Museum
Why?
The UIC program in Art History introduces students to the work of artists, architects, designers, and thinkers who have changed the course of history. Classes cover all historical periods and most of the world’s cultures. Students are trained in the fundamentals of historical analysis, visual literacy, and theoretical understanding. In addition to going on to successful careers as academics and museum professionals, graduates work in teaching, publishing, arts administration, art conservation, public culture, historic preservation, journalism, advertising, business, law, and medicine.
The department’s world-renowned faculty are specialists in:
• Pre-Columbian and Native American Art
• The Architecture, Archaeology and Art History of the Medieval Mediterranean
• South Asian Architecture and Art
• Renaissance and Baroque Architecture, Architectural Theory, and Military Architecture
• European Art since 1700
• Modern and Contemporary Architecture, Design, and Theory
• Modern Art, the Avant-Garde, and Art since 1945
• Modern and Contemporary Performance Art
• Critical Theory, Film Theory, and the History of Photography
• Museum Studies
minor
The three core classes invite students to understand and engage with the social role of museums. Electives allow students to deepen their knowledge within specific museological and exhibition perspectives, such as public history, art curation, museum anthropology, inclusive design, and more. Courses also offer:
- Intensive seminars and hands-on, site-based learning
- A comprehensive understanding of the history of exhibition practices, from the museum’s traditional forms and functions to contemporary creative and critical interventions
- Guest lectures by cultural sector professionals and faculty in affiliated areas including anthropology, art, and history
- Opportunities to meet and shadow museum staff
- On-campus resources such as the Jane Hull-House Museum and Gallery 400
Degree Requirements
Students who want to minor in Museum Studies must meet the following program requirements:
Minimum hours required: 15
Required courses: AH 180, AH 206, AH 302 (total of 9 hours)
Elective courses: 6 hours, chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor
Course Descriptions
180 Intro to Museum & Exhibition
Engages students with museum and exhibition histories, frameworks and experiences through activities, reading and films, field trips and lectures by professionals and faculty in affiliated areas including anthropology, art, and history. Field trips required at a nominal fee. Creative Arts, and Individual and Society course.
206 Museums and Exhibitions in Motion
Students will shadow museum staff, and learn about traditional and leading-edge exhibition craft through example and practice. They will look at exhibitions, and examine creative and critical interventions made by artists, activists and scholars. Prerequisite(s): AH 180.
302 Museum and Exhibition Workshop
Taught as a practicum, and act as a laboratory for imaginative and critical approaches to the work of cultural institutions. It will be organized around the collaborative design and completion of an exhibition and/or program. Prerequisite(s): AH 180.