>Fellow list members-
>
>I am currently conducting research for my Masters Diseratation on Museums and
>the Promotion of Tolerance.  In this work I plan to:
>1) Explore the ways in which museums attempt to promote the ideas of tolerance,
>acceptance, understanding and respect.
>2) Determine the role of the museum within the community in this regard.
>3) Examine the extent to which museums are successful in such an endeavor.
>
>I would greatly apreciate any feed back on this proposal, or any information
>about
>this topic, including possible sources of information, or personal opinion on
>the idea
>itself.
>
>Some questions to get your mind going:
>Do you think/ believe that museums can change the way that society thinks?
>Do you think that they should attempt to do so?
>Do you think that it is their duty to do so?
>Do you think that museums can promote the spirit of understanding and
>cooperation?
>Should museums soley reflect society as it is/ or was?
>Should modern museums take on the role of community conscience?
>What do you feel is the role of the musem in unstable/hostile environments or
>situations?
>Should the promotion of tolerance be a goal for modern museums and is this goal
>obtainable?
>
>Please reply on or off the list
>Carol Henderson
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Hi Carol, You will find quite a bit of information related to your proposed
research in the literature about ecomuseums. A good beginning would be to
read Nancy Fuller's essay "The Museum as a Vehicle for Community
Empowerment: The Ak-Chin Indian Community Ecomuseum Project" in the book-
Museums and Communities: The Politics of Public Culture. Good Luck.

Sandy Kaul
Director, Talley Gallery
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
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