ΠΠΑ614: Museum Studies-Museology

The Module ΠΠΑ614, "Museum Studies – Museology”, covers issues including the concept of the modern museum, museology, museum studies, the development of museums in their historical course, the operation of the modern museum, the care of museum collections, the exhibition of museum objects, the organization and administration of the modern museum, the relationship between the museum and education (museum education – museum educational activities), the role of new/digital technologies in the modern museum, and issues on communication of the modern museum with the public and audiences.

The Module ΠΠΑ614, "Museum Studies – Museology”, is divided in three (3) subunits.

1. The first subunit lasts six (6) weeks. It begins with discussions on the definitions of the terms “museum” and “museology”, as well as with the history of these terms with emphasis on the origin, the evolution and the typology of museums. The study of museum collection care (including management, documentation and protection of museum objects) follows. We then proceed to issues on museum exhibitions and object display, as well as with the study of museum presentation and interpretation, exhibition typology, architectural design, synthesis and use of museum spaces.
2. The second subunit lasts four (4) weeks. It deals with the relationship of museums, education and new/digital technologies in the context of communication in the modern museum
3. In the third subunit, which lasts three (3) weeks, we discuss special museological issues, such as museum laws and ethics, safety, accessibility, the organization and administration of museums and cultural institutions, museum research, museum assessment and evaluation, the future of museums.

The Module focuses in particular on:

• the concept of the modern museum,
• the science of museology and its branches,
• the evolution of museums over the course of history,
• the operation of the modern museum (practical and ethical framework)
• the care of museum collections (documentation, management, maintenance and protection issues),
• the exhibition of museum objects,
• the organisation and administration of the modern museum,
• the relationship between museums and education (educational museum activities),
• the role of new / digital technologies in the modern museum,
• the communication of the modern museum with the public,
• special museology issues, such as research and evaluation.