Museum Studies

The Museum Studies Program provides an undergraduate interdisciplinary minor for SIUC Anthropology, Art and Design, and History students as well as other departments. A special graduate program is available for students with professional interests in museum administration, leading to a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.

(1) (2) (3) (4)

(1) Andrew Crook and Andrew Alexander work on cataloging at the Museum's Archive Building.
(2) Kudzai Musumi talks to students about an exhibit at the Arts Education Festival.
(3) Aurora Strick makes a presentation based upon her Marjorie Lawrence exhibit at the University Museum.
(4) Chris Walls prepares a pre-Civil War canon for his Student Life at SIU

The purpose of the Museum Studies Program is to introduce students to the history of museums, the various aspects of museum work, to acquaint them with the opportunities and problems faced by museums and museum personnel, and to create career opportunities for students who might seek employment in a museum. Emphasis is placed on hands-on practicum experiences involving such basic museum functions as exhibition, curatorial research, cataloging, acquisition, community service, education and administration.

Undergraduate Minor - 18 Hours Required

From this list of core courses, 12 hours are required in order to minor in Museum Studies. You do not need to declare a minor in Museum Studies in order to take these courses.

AD 447 (3) Intro. to Museology (fall semesters) - taught by Lori Huffman, Curator of Collections
HIST 497 (3) Historical Museums, Sites, Restoration, Archives (fall semesters) - taught by Dr. Dona Bachman, University Museum Director
POLS. 446 (3) Museum Administrator (spring semesters) - taught by Dr. Dona Bachman, University Museum Director
ANTH 450 A (3) Museum Studies - Learning in Museums (fall semesters) - taught by Bob DeHoet, Museum Education Program Director
ANTH 450 B (3) Museum Studies - Methodology & Display (spring semesters) - taught by Nate Steinbrink, Museum Exhibits Designer
AD 207A (3) Introduction to Art History (spring semesters)

An additional 6 hours of elective are required:

Suggested Electives

Anthropology 304-3 Origins of Civilization
Anthropology 442 (1-12 hours) (consent of instructor)
Art 499 (3-21 hours) Individual Problems in Art (consent of instructor)
Political Science 441 (3) Administration of Bureaucratic Organizations
Political Science 448 (3) University Museum Colloquium
History 490 (1-4 hours) Special Readings in History (consent of instructor)
History 496 (1-9 hours) Internship in History (consent of department)
Political Science 559 (3 hours) Museum Collection Management (consent of instructor)

We try to offer as much flexibility as we can so that your work will reflect and enhance your major. We do our best to offer internships and independent studies courses to students. Past internships have resulted in major research projects and exhibitions.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Dona Bachman, Director, University Museum and Museum Studies Program: 618.453.5388 or dbachman@siu.edu

Special Bachelor Degree

Through the University Studies Program in the College of Liberal Arts, undergraduates may design a special course of study in Museology leading to a baccalaureate degree. The University Studies program allows students to design an interdisciplinary program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Liberal Arts. For specific requirements and to complete an application, please contact: College of Liberal Arts Advisement Office, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4523. The telephone number is: 618-453-3388.

MPA Graduate Degree

A special graduate program is available for students with professional interests in museum administration, leading to a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. Students with undergraduate backgrounds in fields such as Anthropology, Art, History, and Political Science may develop personal courses of study which blend general public administration and management concerns with specifics of museum operation.

Internships

Arrangements have been made for museum administration students to serve internships with the Southern Illinois University Museum and/or other museum-related assignments elsewhere in the country. Interns will be assigned duties to emphasize professional development and each MPA intern will receive a stipend. The MPA program in museum administration is coordinated by the Department of Political Science at SIUC, in cooperation with the University Museum.

For more information on the MPA Program, contact:

Dr. John Hamman, Director MPA Program
Department of Political Science, Mail Code 4501
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4501
Telephone: 618-453-3177
Department email: mpaprog@siu.edu