Please note the upcoming deadlines and revised course start dates for
our distance education courses. Please let us know if we can provide
further information!

LEARNING AT A DISTANCE:
Cultural Resource Management at the University of Victoria
1997 Fall/Winter Distance Education Courses

    * Introduction to Museum Studies
    * Human Resource Management in Cultural Heritage Organizations
    * Museum Information Management

We are pleased to announce three distance learning courses for musem and heritage
professionals. These are offered in September 1997 on either a credit or non-credit
basis through the University of Victoria, to assist you in developing
your knowledge and skills -- in the places and at the times best
suited to your learning needs.

Our print-based 'Introduction to Museum Studies' survey course is
offered from September through April, and we are introducing two new
computer-mediated Special Topics courses in 'Museum Information
Management' and 'Human Resource Management in Cultural Heritage
Organizations' which run from September through December.

In our Survey Courses, you work with a tutor who stays in
touch by e-mail or phone to answer questions you may have and to
provide timely and useful feedback on your assignments.  In the new
Special Topics courses, you interact through e-mail on a weekly basis
with the course instructor and with other course participants to
discuss topics, explore issues, and undertake a range of individual
and group activities and assignments. In all courses, you are
encouraged to interact with people in your organization and your
community to gather information and to apply your learning in
practical situations.

The following is a listing and brief description of each course. If
you would like to receive further information, including learning
outcomes, course outlines, computer and communications
requirements, and registration materials, please contact us at the
address below, or visit our website.

Please note that you may register by fax, mail, e-mail, or on-line.


A.  SURVEY COURSES

INTRODUCTION TO MUSEUM STUDIES
This comprehensive survey of museums in contemporary society provides
a solid philosophical foundation in museum studies, balanced with an
understanding of the knowledge and skills required in professional
practice and the issues and problems encountered in the workplace.
Themes include ethical basis for practice, roles, and relationships
with communities, impacts of technology, and impacts of changing
sources of funding. You will gain an understanding of:
-  diversity of tasks, skills, and types of expertise in museum
practice
- museological literature, sources, and reference materials
-  structure and functions of the museum community
-  forces and impacts of change

Course Materials: You receive six binders, containing teaching units,
a wide range of instructional materials, and a set of posters. You
also receive a video series on loan for the duration of the course.
Two texts are required; these may be ordered with the course, or you
may find them in your organization's library.

Special Requirements: You are strongly encouraged to have access to a
collections holding institution, as a staff member or volunteer, in
order to consider your learning in a practical context. Some
assignments involve a review of the institution's policies,
facilities, or programs.

Course Dates: September 9, 1997 - April 17, 1998; please register by August 15
Course Fee: $640, credit or non-credit, (Canadian Funds) plus $50 for
two textbooks

* Please note that our other survey course 'Introduction to Heritage
Conservation' is being revised; we hope to have it available again in
January 1998.


B.  SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES

Our new Special Topics courses use a combination of print, audio, and
computer-mediated instructional materials. You interact by e-mail with
fellow participants and the instructor, are encouraged to consider
practical problems in your workplace and community, and balance
independent study with group activities and discussion. You require
access to a computer that supports e-mail and either Netscape or
Microsoft Internet Explorer. Recommended technical requirements for each course
are outlined in detail on the registration form. Peripherals and software
may include some or all of the following: modem, CD-ROM player, and
Internet browser.

Please register early as the class size is limited.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS
People in museums and cultural organizations bring a remarkable level
of enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to their work, despite
significant organizational change, uncertain funding, and high levels
of stress. This course examines methods for creating a positive work
environment, and explores issues and ideas that influence the way we
manage and work with people. It stresses integrated, planned
approaches to human resource (HR) development for museums and related
organizations. Finding the right people and keeping them depends on
our ability to encourage and support an environment of growth and
learning. You will strengthen your ability to manage and develop human
resources as you:
-  define the central role of people in achieving goals & objectives
-  recognize the impacts of social, economic, and political factors
-  understand the nature and implications of museum work on HR
management and development
-  describe methods and structures required for effective human
resource management
-  develop specific forms and procedures for human resource
activities
- articulate the importance of an integrated, planned approach
-  assess ways that organizational dynamics and culture, leadership
styles, and practices influence individual/institutional performance

Instructor: Lois Irvine draws on extensive museum human resource
management and consulting experience in her on-campus and distance
teaching. Based in Alberta, Lois balances her teaching with
international consulting activities and her work as Chair of the
Canadian Museums Human Resource Planning Committee

Course Materials: You will receive a binder, audio tapes, and access
to a dedicated web site.

Dates: September 9 - December 12; please register by August 8

Fee: $589 (Canadian funds), credit or non-credit


MUSEUM INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Information is increasingly recognized as a vital asset in museums and
heritage organizations. This course encourages you to define the kinds
of information your organization holds and the values it represents to
you and your publics. It explores the importance of integrated
information management and communication systems in collections
research and management, and other aspects of museum and heritage
work, and emphasizes ways in which computer-based systems and
electronic communications technologies can be used. Your ability to
manage information in the museum and heritage context will be
strengthened as you:
-  recognize the importance of information, and the perspectives that
influence its value
-  identify the types of information that are gathered and managed
-  understand the evolution of information management
-  define the roles of staff
-  explore issues of access
-  understand how technology serves the needs of museums
-  appreciate integrated approaches
-  assess museum information systems
-  identify external resources
-  anticipate emerging technologies and changing institutional roles

Instructor: James Blackaby is Senior Systems Developer with the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He has taught this course in
an immersion format on campus, and his extensive consulting work with
heritage and museum agencies gives him a wealth of systems
experience.

Course Materials: You will receive a binder, CD-ROM, and
access to a dedicated web site.

Special Requirements: Access to a computer that supports CD-ROM.

Dates: January 5 - April 4, 1998; please register by December 8

Fee: $589 (Canadian funds), credit or non-credit

Acknowledgements
We acknowledge, with thanks, the support of the Museums Assistance
Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the British Columbia
Heritage Trust, and the Innovations Fund of the British Columbia
Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour.


FOR DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joy Davis, Program Director
Cultural Resource Management Program
Division of Continuing Studies
University of Victoria
PO Box 3030 Victoria, BC  V8W 3N6 Canada
Phone (250) 721-8462 Fax (250) 721-8774
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Register on-line at our Web site! www.uvcs.uvic.ca/CRMP

In addition, we are offering a series of on-campus immersion courses.
Please contact us for information.