Master of Arts (M.A.) in Museum Studies
IntroductionThe Master of Arts (M.A.) in Museum Studies program, offered in partnership with The University of St. Andrews located in the UK, educates and trains individuals for positions in the rapidly expanding arts and cultural industry in the United Arab Emirates. The Master of Arts in Museum Studies program provides students with the knowledge and skills to envision, design, develop, implement, and administer cultural projects and exhibitions in accordance with contemporary international standards and best practices. The program provides a foundation in museum operation and management, exhibition design, contemporary Western art, Islamic design, and Emirati heritage. Students will receive a concentrated comprehensive education in the fundamental theories of collection management, site management, public programming, and effective communication with visitors to cultural institutions, interpretation, and cultural assets. Graduates will:
Job OpportunitiesGraduates will be able to join curatorial staff, work in exhibition design, develop heritage and historical interpretation plans, and mount displays and shows. Program RecognitionZayed University's graduate programs are approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. FacultyThe courses are taught by select professors from Zayed University and partner university faculty who have earned doctorate degrees in Antropology, Art or Museology, or masters' degree in fine arts as well as comprehensive experience in museums, art, history, and heritage. CurriculumAt the beginning of the program, students take an intensive one-day orientation seminar. The orientation offers a number of workshops to introduce students to the program, during which students are introduced to Blackboard (virtual classroom software), library resources, professional practices, and the writing of reports and reference citations. The program is composed of a core curriculum, the practical application of skills and knowledge, and the development of a professional portfolio. The core curriculum focuses on the theory and practice of museums, and related organizations, Islamic art and design, modern and contemporary Western art, Emirati history and cultural heritage. Students develop their professional portfolio throughout the program in addition to project work that is course specific. The curriculum of the Master of Arts in Museum Studies program consists of the following course modules: Theory and Practice of Museums, Galleries, and Associated Organizations
This course introduces the students to the history of museums and collecting, how museums are defined, the varied functions they encompass and the different jobs involved, types of museum by governance and funding in different countries, the development of standard schemes, and museum ethics.
The course examines collections; their development and management. Topics include collecting strategies and policies, assessing significance, information systems and management, and the physical care of collections.
The course reviews museum, collection, and heritage site audiences, and the services provided to them, including exhibition and interpretation policies and practice, education and events programs, and visitor studies.
The course covers museum management, including planning and project management, financial planning, personnel and marketing. Modern and Contemporary Art (post 1945)
This intensive module is an overview of the development of Western art from the renaissance through to the modern period. The course starts with the examination of the artistic accomplishments of the Italian renaissance and continues from the 16th to the mid-20th centuries.
The course reviews the development of modern and contemporary art from expressionism to contemporary art. The course focuses on major art movements, and a selection of artists associated with them. The course also examines particular forms that artwork take in the contemporary period such as installation art, environmental art, etc. Students will conduct research on one artist and his or her artworks, examine and analyze them in regard to the art movement they are part of, and the social, historical and cultural contexts that led to the the creation of the work. Islamic Design, Art, and Architecture
The course is a survey of the development of Islamic design principles from the earliest masjid at Medina to the later elaborations as demonstrated by Sinan Pasha and Ottoman architecture. The influence of Islamic art and design is traced through the Umayyad destiny in Spain (Al Andalus) and through the rest of Europe. The course gives particular focus to the design principles being re-articulated and re-defined in the new architecture of Abu Dhabi (especially the museums on Saadiyat Island).
This course reviews the development of modern and contemporary Islamic art from the early 20th century to the present with the particular focus on the UAE and countries in the nearby region. The course examine the relationship between western incursions into the region and the subsequent shift in the development of regional art and design practices. The History and Heritage of the United Arab Emirates
The course begins with a brief review of the archaeological record of the country, and then moves quickly through the arrival of Islam, tribal organization, pearling and trading and British hegemony beginning in 1820. The tangible and intangible heritage of the country is surveyed within the context of the environment.
The course examines the interpretation of Emirati history and heritage for museums and heritage sites by using the fundamentals of heritage analysis, interpretation, and exhibition. The course follows UNESCO's typology of heritage: tangible and intangible. The function, meaning and value of heritage and the process by which cultural elements become "heritage" is analyzed using perspectives and theories from anthropology and the sub-field of heritage studies. Projects and Development of Professional Portfolio
Students will be working on specific projects throughout the program. The project work will provide skill-based training and experience that will compliment and reinforce the theoretical perspectives learned in the classroom. The practical work includes the organization of an exhibition as part of a team and an individual project covering another area of museum work such as collections management or outreach activities. The course also includes taught sessions and regular meetings related to the exhibition element of project work. At the end of the program, students will assemble their completed projects into professional portfolios (electronic and print) for assessment. In addition to completed projects, the portfolio will include original research and the development of an interpretation plan for an exhibition of either art or heritage artifacts. The portfolio will also include an exhibition plan that reflects knowledge of the audience, special information for children, brochures, and advertising materials. The portfolio may be developed within the context of a specific agency or institution.
Students will be required to produce interpretive documents for projects throughout the program. This course, conducted as a series of project-specific workshops and tutorials, will allow students to improve their language skills. For Emirati students, the project-specific workshops and tutorials will be conducted in Arabic and English. The fundamentals of graphic design for posters and other media will also be included in the course. Course Delivery FormatThe format for delivering the Master of Arts in Museum Studies program is designed to minimize time away from work and family while maximizing interaction with fellow students and faculty. Each 4-week course begins with intensive class lecture time on three successive evenings during the first week of the scheduled course. This is followed by project work, exploration of resources, and discussion both in class and via Blackboard. The Master of Arts in Museum Studies program is delivered over a period of 18 months at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. For more information on the admission deadline, please visit the Key Dates section of our website. Admission
For more information on the admission requirements, application procedure and program cost, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website. Graduation RequirementGraduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a master's degree.
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IMPORTANT LINKSAdditional Program Information Application Form Letter of Recommendation |
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