BEHIND THE SCENES OF A NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
FRES 1010 Dr. Elizabeth J. Reitz
Mondays, 3:35-4:25 Office Hours: M 2:30-3:30; 4:25-5:00
Rm 8, Natural History Building Rm 11, Natural History Building
August 20: Introduction to the Georgia Museum of Natural History
August 27: The Missions of a Natural History Museum
September 3: Holiday; no class
September 10: Ichthyology Collection
September 17: Archaeology Collection
September 24: Museum Mobile
October 1: Mycology Collection
October 8: Mammals and Birds
October 15: Arthropod Collection
October 22: Herpetology Collection
October 29: Rocks & Minerals; Economic Geology
November 5: Invertebrate Collection (Day off for Open House volunteers)
November 12: Botany Herbarium
November 19: Web Design
November 26: Zooarchaeology
December 3: The Significance and Future of Natural History Museums
TOURS:
Tours are the most important part of the course and you will be expected to participate in them. Some of the tours will start in the Natural History Building, others will assemble elsewhere. This will be arranged during the preceding class meeting. Failure to be in class, or paying attention, when the announcement is made does not constitute an excuse for being late or absent.
ABSENCES:
Requests for an excused absence must be accompanied by a doctor's note.
READINGS:
To enhance your visit to each collection and your understanding of natural history museums, there will be occasional outside readings. These will be available to read or check out in Room 8.
GRADING:
The Seminar is graded on a pass/fail (S/U) basis. You will be evaluated on participation in class discussions and tours. This includes attendance, punctuality, and your handling of specimens and attitude. Other than attendance and punctuality, this will be a subjective evaluation.
NOTE:
This syllabus is subject to change. When changes are necessary they will be announced in class. Absence from class is not an excuse for being unaware of such changes.
READINGS
August 20: Introduction to the Georgia Museum of Natural History
No readings
August 27: The Missions of a Natural History Museum
No readings
September 10: Ichthyology Collection
Carter, David, and Annette K. Walker (1999). Care and Conservation of Natural History Collections. The Natural History Museum, London. Chapter 5
September 17: Archaeology Collection
36 CRF Part 79 (Federal Regulations)
September 24: Museum Mobile
Bogle, Elizabeth (1992). What Does an Exhibit Designer Do? In Exhibition Planning and Management: Reprints from NAME’s Recent and Recommended, edited by S. Dubberly, pp. 4-6. Technical Information Service, American Association of Museums, Washington, D.C.
Bull, Phil (1989). A Beginner’s Guide to Evaluation. Journal of Environmental Interpretation 295-297.
Falk, John H. and Dierking, Lynn D. (1992). Introduction:The Interactive Experience Model and The Museum as a Leisure-Time Experience. In The Museum Experience, pp. 1-24. Whalesback Books, Washington D.C.
McLean, Kathleen (1993). Chapter 2: Museum Exhibitions. In Planning for People inMuseum Exhibitions, pp. 15-34. Association of Science and Technology Centers, Washington, D.C.
McManus, Paulette (1996). Visitors: Their Expectations and Social Behaviour. In Developing Museum Exhibitions for Lifelong Learning, edited by G. Durbin, pp. 59-62. Museums and Galleries Commission, London.
White, Judith (1991). What are Discovery Rooms and What do They Offer Visitors? InSnakes, Snails, and History Tails: Building Discovery Rooms and Learning Labs at the Smithsonian Institution, pp. 11-18. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
October 1: Mycology Collection
Care and Conservation of Natural History Collections, Chapter 4
October 8: Mammals and Birds
Care and Conservation of Natural History Collections, Chapter 1
October 15: Arthropod Collection
Care and Conservation of Natural History Collections, Chapter 2
October 22: Herpetology Collection
Care and Conservation of Natural History Collections, Chapter 5
October 29: Rocks & Minerals; Economic Geology
No readings
November 5: Invertebrate Collection (Day off for Open House volunteers)
No readings
November 12: Botany Herbarium
Care and Conservation of Natural History Collections, Chapter 3
November 19: Web Design
No readings
November 26: Zooarchaeology
Parmalee, Paul W. (1985). Identification and Interpretation of Archaeologically Derived Animal Remains. In The Analysis of Prehistoric Diets, edited by R. I. Gilbert and J. H. Mielke, pp. 61-95. Academic Press, New York.
December 3: The Significance and Future of Natural History Museums
Laerm, Joshua, and Amy Lyn Edwards (1991). What Is a State Museum of Natural History? In Natural History Museums: Directions for Growth, edited by P. S. Cato and C. Jones, pp. 13-40. Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock, Texas.