Module Identifier MG30110  
Module Title INTERPRETATION AND COMMUNICATION: READING AND WRITING MUSEUM TEXTS  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Mr Robert K Meyrick  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Ms Moira M Vincentelli, Mr Neil A Holland  
Pre-Requisite MG10120 , MG20410 , MG20110  
Course delivery Lecture   x 10  
  Other   3 x 2 hour workshops  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Project  50%
Semester Assessment Essay of 2500 words  50%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. assess the implications of syntax and register in all types of museum texts
2. assess types of museums visitors and how to engage them
3. devise communication strategies to involve and not alienate the visitor
4. evaluate target audiences

Relation to Assessment

Project (1-4), Essay (1-4)

The project is designed to identify the students' level of comprehension, practical understanding and application of necessary interpretation and communication skills in museum work. The essay allows the opportunity to articulate the theoretical issues surrounding methods of engaging museum visitors and audience evaluation.

Brief description

The module examines the theory and practice of reading and writing museum texts, and communicating ideas through object displays. It explores methods of textual analysis and the methods of producing texts that will engage rather than alienate the museum visitor. A wide range of texts from artefact labels to web pages is considered

Aims

1. explain and facilitate the critical examination of written texts in the museum context
2. explain the processes of effective communication and interpretation
3. identify target audiences
4. explain the importance of active publicity

Content

PART 1

PART 2

Transferable skills

1 Independent project work
Seminar preparation
Project assignments
2 IT and information handling
Word Processing
DTP Software
3 Use and analysis of numerical information
None
4 Writing in an academic context
Essay
Project assignments
5 Oral discussion and presentation
Seminars and Workshops
6 Careers need awareness
The module is specifically for students considering a career in museums, art gallery administration, public art   organisations, freelance curators and exhibition organisers, and in private galleries.
7 Self-management
Seminar Preparation
Course Work
8 Group activity
Seminars
Workshops

Reading Lists

Books
Eilean Hooper-Greenhill (ed.) (1999) The Educational Role of Museums Routledge, London
I Karp & S D Levine (1991) Exhibiting Cultures. The Poetics and Politics of Museum Display Routledge, London
Museums Association (1992) Manual of Curatorship Butterworths, London
Museums Association (1997) Museum Practice `Outreach?, Issue 3, Vol. 1, [December] 1996, `Interpretation?, Issue 5, Vol. 2, No.2
Peter Vergo (ed.) (1989) The New Museology Reaktion Books, London

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6