MST-Museum Studies

MST 5073. Technology for Museum Professionals.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. Introduction to the theory and application of information technologies within museums including hardware, software, and the application of technology to the work of museum professionals. (F, Sp)

MST 5083. Qualitative Research Methods.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. This course is designed to acquaint students with qualitative research methods in museum, library and archive settings. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the most common methods and issues in qualitative research. Students will learn how to design a study; how to recognize and address ethical issues; and how to analyze qualitative data. (Sp)

MST 5113. The World of a Museum.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Baseline course introducing all aspects of museums and museum careers including history, structure, operations, and theoretical underpinnings. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5133. The History and Architecture of Museums.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. The course explores the history of museums with special emphasis on architectural structural requirements unique for specialized museum functions, as well as the more abstract symbolic meaning embedded within some museum architectural designs. (Su)

MST 5143. Museum Studies Research Methods.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. Methods of investigating museum studies problems; use of evaluation in planning for continuous quality assessment and improvement of museum policies, processes, and procedures; developing original research designs; evaluating research studies in museum topics. (F, Su)

MST 5163. Museum Management and Leadership.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. In-depth study of the philosophy, policies, and practices of museum governance, including such topics as ethics, board development, institutional mission and organization. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5173. Museums, Cultures, and Communities.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. The course will focus on psychographics-based analysis and engagement of museum audiences, knowledge ownership and access negotiation with source communities, public and education programs, fundraising, marketing, and other public-related issues in museums. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5183. Collections Management.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. This course will consider the place of collections in the life of a museum; how collections mesh with the museum mission; collections policies and stewardship. Lessons learned will be applied in conjunction with practical use of common museum collections software. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5190. Museum Project.2-4 Credit Hours.

2 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of dean. May be repeated with change of subject; maximum credit four hours. Students will develop a project in their home museum or organization under the direction of an OU faculty member with an on-site supervisor or can come to OU for a project at one of the OU museums or special collections. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5203. Historic Preservation.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Introduction to the field of historic preservation, including identification, documentation, and presentation of historic buildings, sites, and structures. Emphasis and consideration will be placed on those older buildings housing museums and thus, are often the largest object in the collection needing curation. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5223. The House Museum.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Examination of the house as a museum. Topics include identifying historical significance and architecture, conservation and interpretation, and developing community involvement. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5243. The Small Museum.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Introduction to the history and nature of small museums in the United States. Topics include cultural significance, administration, finance, funding, staffing, program/exhibition development, community involvement, and partnership building. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5313. Museum Education.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003 and MST 5113; or permission of dean. Introduction to museum education, including object-based learning environments, and theory, an understanding of which fosters the development of effective motivating educational programs in museums. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5333. Introduction to Museum Interpretation.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and CAS 5003 and MST 5113; or departmental permission. Introduces museum interpretation as a mode of communication to solicit informational experiences and inspire curiosity about a topic via media such as physical exhibits, educational programs, interactive designs, and virtual access. Given current demands for broader demographic inclusivity, the course also revisits conventional museum domains on who interprets what, with which sociocultural and ethnic background representing which segments of society. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5403. Museums and Indigenous Cultures.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and MST 5113. Designed for students to understand the complicated relationship between museums and Indigenous Nations. Course content covers engagement from the 1700s to the present day, including contemporary inheritances from historic anthropological approaches and how museums are enacting respectful collaborations today. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5423. Controversy and the World of the Museum.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003 and MST 5113; or permission of dean. It is crucial that the museum professionals are acquainted with some of the most controversial exhibitions historically, as well as the ones from the 1990s along with an important discussion of the external legal, political, financial, and social forces that are crucial in influencing the course and the outcome of the examined cases. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5443. Federal Laws and Museums.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. A crucial examination of important federal laws that impact common situational decision-making for museum professionals. Course activities include the critique of museum collections and policies relating to federal laws such as the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection. (F, Sp)

MST 5453. Exhibit Development.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. A study of all aspects of museum exhibit design and development including subject selection and proposal, research, audience identification, space planning, material selection, community collaboration, and ethics. Learned lessons will be applied through the practical use of an online digital exhibit platform. (Sp, Su)

MST 5700. Advanced Topics in Museum Studies.3-6 Credit Hours.

3 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; May be repeated with a change of content; maximum credit 6 hours. Examination and discussion of advanced topics in museum studies. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5763. Capstone.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing; Museum Studies majors. The capstone is the comprehensive, end of program course where students create their professional ePortfolios that serve as the degree's required non-thesis exam. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5920. Internship in Museum Studies.3-6 Credit Hours.

3 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and have completed 15 credit hours in the master's program; Museum Studies majors only; may be repeated; maximum credit 6 hours. Field experience directly related to museum studies. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5930. Research Project in Museum Studies.3-6 Credit Hours.

3 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; Museum Studies majors only, MST 5143 or MST 5083 or equivalent; may be repeated; maximum credit 6 hours. Research under faculty supervision. Develop and conduct an original research project related to Museum Studies. The final project requires a written report. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5960. Directed Readings in Museum Studies.2-3 Credit Hours.

2 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; Museum Studies majors only; may be repeated; maximum credit 6 hours. In-depth study of literature on a topic related to the student's program of study. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003, and completion of first concentration course; or permission of dean. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Special topics or seminar course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)

MST 5980. Research for Master's Thesis.2-9 Credit Hours.

2 to 9 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003, CAS 5013, and completion of first concentration core course; or permission of dean. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Research and writing of a thesis for completion of PACS graduate degrees. (F, Sp, Su)

MST 5990. Independent Study.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003, and completion of first concentration course; or permission of dean. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Contracted independent study for a topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)