ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1.1                     An Honours Degree in Museum Studies, Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, Fine Arts, Records and Archives Management, Culture and Languages.

2                               LEARNING OUTCOMES

2.1                      Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the management of museums

2.2                      Ability to conceptualise and mount exhibitions in museums and galleries

2.3                      Ability to manage collections through creating policies and the environment that prevents deterioration of collections

2.4                      Understanding of planning and implementation of museums’ educational programmes

2.5                      Understand national and international laws and conventions that regulate the operations of museums and galleries.

2.6                      Communicate effectively and present information using multi-media to both experts and non-experts in the field of museums and galleries.

3                               PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT

3.1                      Continuous assessment shall comprise at-least two assignments and shall constitute 30% of the final mark.

3.2                      Candidates shall be required to sit for a three -hour examination on each module. The examination mark shall constitute 70% of the final mark.

3.3                      To pass a candidate should obtain at-least 50% of the continuous assessment and examination combined.

 

11. DEGREE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

1. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Code               Module Description                                                                       Credits

Level 1 Semester 1

MMUS701    Museum History, Purpose and Function                                      18

MMUS702    Museum Management                                                                    18

MMUS705    Museum legislation and Law                                                         18

Level 1 Semester 2

MMUS706    Museum Collections Management                                               18

MMUS707    Research Methods and Publications                                              18

MMUS709    Museum Exhibitions and Interpretation                                        18

Electives

MMUS 703   Museum Communication and Education                                     18

MMUS 708   Museums and Multimedia                                                              18

Level 2 Semester 1

MMUS 704   Museum Project Management                                                       18

MMUS 271   Museum Marketing and Quality Control                                      18

MMUS 713   Museum Field School                                                                     18

Electives

MMUS 710   Museums and Global Issues                                                           18

MMUS 711   History of Art and Cultures of Zimbabwe                                    18

Level 2 Semester 2

MMUS 820   Dissertation                                                                                       90

 

   MODULE SYNOPSIS

MMUS 701   Museum History, Purpose and Function

The module examines how museums and museum theories have evolved, their role in contemporary societies and how they operate within the context of heritage management. It explores the philosophy of museums in the service of the general public. The module will also help students evaluate how such development trends have shaped the appreciation of material culture as presented through museum exhibitions.

MMUS 702   Museum Management

The module examines the basic and contemporary principles of museum management in general through the evaluation of the management theory and practice of museums/galleries in particular. The module presents the museum as a business venture that is governed by contemporary business ethics and not only a traditionally docile organisation Students would be encouraged to make assessments of practical case studies to promote awareness of contemporary administrative challenges and inspire a sense of innovation in solving these problems. Topics to be covered include strategic planning, ethics and governance, membership and marketing.

MMUS 703   Museum Communication and Education

The course examines museum practice as vehicles of effective and efficient dissemination of information between the museum and the audience through the artefact or art collection about matters that relate to past and contemporary societal concepts. It also evaluates the effectiveness of such educative roles of both the museum and exhibitions in relation to both traditional and contemporary cultures

MMUS 704   Museum Project Management

The module heightens students’ awareness towards the formulation and management of projects relevant to Museums/Galleries. Participants will learn about what changes when one goes from “doing” the work to “managing” the project. This would be achieved through group discussion on project management tools, planning, negotiating on behalf of the project, project monitoring and evaluation for effectiveness and efficiency. Project management styles are also explored giving insights on how to build on strengths for effective project teams.

 

MMUS 705   Museum Legislation and Law

This module presents a thorough examination of the legal frameworks which guide the operations of museums with special emphasis on regional and international laws governing museums and museum operations. Highlight on the reality versus practicality of these legislations and laws will also be made through practical analysis of contemporary museums/galleries paying special attention to developing countries. Topics to be covered would include debates on legislation and law, issues of illicit trafficking of cultural objects and how they vary in public and private museums.

MMUS 706   Museum Collection Management

The module acquaints students with the theory of museum collection development, ethics in collecting, collections care, accountability and access. The module addresses the issue of designing and implementing collections policies, establishing and managing collections; collection management procedures and systems, documentation of collections, records preservation, collections access and storage and responsibilities of a museum registrar.

MMUS 707   Research Methods and Publications

The main aim of the module is to help students acquire technical and practical skills for research purposes. Students would examine how research methodology is applied to address issues that flow from theory and appreciate that there are common themes among the various methodological approaches that are utilised in archaeology, cultural heritage and Museum Studies. Among issues that will be addressed through readings, presentations and discussions are: the nature and scope of archaeological, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies research, the nature of research questions and the design of research programmes to address those questions.

MMUS 708   Museums and Multimedia

The module seeks to provide students with the knowledge and the skills needed to imaginatively use, work with and manage new media and digitisation in museums and to exploit its potential. It also seeks to provide an understanding of the changes that information and communication technologies is bringing about  in the museum; the opportunities they presents; and how museums can take advantage of them . The module explains why digitisation is important to museums and deals with the practicalities of multimedia, information and technology as a tool that can enhance access to information about collections to the general public.

MMUS 709   Museum Exhibitions and Interpretation

The module empowers students with skills in curatorial research, presentation, documentation and laboratory research methods for the benefit of the public. It also presents the aspect of museum publication as a follow- up to curatorial or laboratory research. This course will also focus on the development of interpretive museum exhibitions including theory, planning, research, methodologies, design, construction, installation; and the application of new technologies.

MMUS710    Museums and Global Issues

The module discusses transformation and the consequent redefinition of the “Museological object”, the new Museology movement and contemporary museum activities in light of the politics of globalisation.  It also analyses how structures on which a change in mentality and new relationships of discipline specialists and other professionals within the museum/gallery institutions affect Museology as both an academic discipline and as a profession.

MMUS 711   History of Art and Cultures of Zimbabwe

The module explores current theories relevant to Zimbabwean ethnology. This would entail an analysis of trends in Visual culture, art history and philosophy. It also explores the production processes and aesthetic issues in Zimbabwean art (sculpture, painting, crafts, photography, performance arts and mixed media).

MMUS 712   Museum Marketing and Quality Control

This module introduces students to the relationship between the museum and stakeholders through an analysis of the way museums present themselves. The module considers the 5 ‘P’s of production; PEOPLE, PRICING, PRODUCT, PLACEMENT and PROMOTION within the socio-economic scope of contemporary societal needs as museums attempt to create and maintain a position in these contemporary societies and consider the intricacy of this community. Students are equipped with the theoretical and practical skills of how museums can re-brand themselves to cater for the diversity of needs whilst the same time, promoting a good corporate image.

MMUS 713   Museum Field School

This is mandatory for 2 weeks of field school at selected heritage places. The Feld School will provide hands training and learning to students. This field school will give students an opportunity to research, visit a number of heritage sites and institutions, interact with heritage professionals, collect and curate materials, engage with stakeholders, conduct documentation and condition assessments, design and review management plans. Assessment of this module will be based on field evaluations, a field journal and a technical field report.

MMUS 820   Dissertation

All students are expected to write a dissertation of about 120 pages which is the result of an individual research project undertaken during the course. This can be on any approved topic relevant to the degree and the taught components selected. Students are assigned a supervisor to guide the main stages of the work.