Displaying the Past: Museum Studies Short Course
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes in a museum? We're thrilled to offer a fantastic module that provides you with first-hand experience in this fascinating field! "Displaying the Past: Museum Studies" invites students to dive deep into the world of museums and explore the diverse ways they operate. Join us for an enriching journey that brings the past to life!
Starting in January 2026, this course is a fascinating insight into how museums work and will give you valuable experience should you wish to pursue a career within the heritage industry or are simply interested in how museums operate. It will introduce you to museum practices in the UK and further afield.
This module is fully online and is self-directed, meaning you will read through the weekly materials in your own time, there is no weekly class. There is, however, one introductory tutorial, plus two student-led tutorials in weeks 4 and 9 to discuss the group tasks, and then in weeks 5 and 10 there will be two discussions with museum professionals from across the Highlands and Islands.
We look at careers, accessioning, accreditation, cataloguing and so much more. There are weekly tasks including some field trips, an essay and you will produce your very own online museum exhibition which will be made publicly available. You can find previous works via the ins.uhi.ac.uk website.
Students should have an undergraduate degree, but relevant experience can be taken into account on a case by case basis.
Learning Outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Evaluate the relevance and legal implications of an artefact in the museum collection.
- Apply current ethical guidelines in reaching informed decisions on the collection and use of an artefact.
- Research, plan and implement suitable storage or appropriate label and graphic display to accompany an artefact.
- Develop a strategy to promote access to the artefact for the disabled, visually impaired and those with learning difficulties.
- Research museum and heritage centres with regard to their collection policy, displays etc.
Weekly Summary
- Week one: what is a museum, why are museums relevant, accreditation and ecomuseums.
- Week two: museum management, who does what in a museum, museum managers and health and safety
- Week three: accreditation, benefits, and the paperwork involved
- Week four: documentation, its importance, relevance, the procedures and policies involved
- Week five: discussion week with museum professionals
- Week six: interpretation – engage, reflect, inspire, and oral history
- Week seven: archaeology, from dig to display, case study, treasure trove
- Week eight: readability, ekarv, fog, didactics & semiotics
- Week nine: research, guidance, exhibition planning, and outreach
- Week ten: discussion week with museum professionals
- Week eleven: collecting, costs and disposal, ethics, what should be collected
- Week twelve: rural and folklife, the future
