on 10/28/02 8:37 AM, Ciotola, Nicholas P. at [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Students hoping for a career in museum work should keep in mind, too, that
> another valid option is a graduate program in a discipline - such as history
> - that does not have a museum studies certificate or a public history
> program. Straight, academic history programs produce students with an
> in-depth knowledge of historiography, excellent research and writing skills,
> and expertise in the content of certain historical areas and time periods --
> all of which can be applied to museum work.
>
> Students pursuing this route, however, would do well to augment their
> masters degree with internships and volunteer work at local museums --
> thereby allowing them to gain the practical training that they are not
> getting in the classroom.
>
> An MA in History coupled with on-the-job experience is as valid a
> preparatory route as an MA in Museum Studies, an MA in Public History, or an

I find myself uncomfortable with the idea that a purely
disciplinary-specific degree adequately prepares people to work in museums,
particularly small museums where current staff may not have a full
understanding of contemporary museum practice.

An understanding of the museum audience is now central to professional
practice in museums, and few, if any, disciplinary degrees prepare their
students adequately in this area.  An understanding of communications is
also essential (witness the weakness, for example, of many history exhibits
and much programming developed by curators who are historians, rather than
communicators/educators).

Jane Bedno

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).