Museums are complex institutions with collections and histories ranging from the troubling to the empowering. This course explores the ethical considerations involved in collecting, conserving, displaying, and interpreting artwork, material culture, human remains, and historic sites. We consider questions of provenance, repatriation, and restitution and grapple with the manifestations of racism and the legacies of colonization in museums. By delving into case studies, we discuss a range of controversies and sensitive topics to learn from the past and imagine a more ethical future.
Course Codes: MUSE 5730/7730
