Book list

I've been looking into other museum studies courses and one came up in my Google search for the University of Adelaide. Now I know nothing of Adelaide except that it gets really hot there in the summer, but the website gave me a list of books to read! That's what I wanted to get in preparation for the course wherever I go so this will give me something to do. I want to feel like I know a bit about museums before the course starts so this is a good place to start! At any rate I can't go to Adelaide as I don't have an honours degree but I'm glad they have this book list.

This first list "

focuses on the history and philosophy of museums and their collections; cultural and ethical issues of collecting; collection development, display and interpretation of permanent collections; databases, registration practices and collection management. Students will complete a self-directed research project."

-- Museum Methods, Museums Australia, 2002.
-- Preziozi, D. Grasping the World: The Idea of the Museum, Ashgate, 2004.
-- Simpson, Moira G., Making Representations: Museums in the Post-colonial Era, Routledge, London, 2001.

The second list "looks at the nature and purpose of exhibitions; the role of the curator; exhibition development, display and interpretive programs; public programs marketing, sponsorship and funding. Students will complete a 20 days internship in a gallery or museum, and a self-directed research project."

-- Barker, E. (ed) Contemporary Cultures of Display, Yale University Press and Open University, New Haven, London, 1999.
-- Heathcote. C. The Exhibition Handbook: A Practical Guide for Organising Exhibitions in Australia Museums, Galleries, Libraries and Community Centres, Museums Australia Inc. (Victoria), Melbourne, 1997 (out of print).
-- Rouette, G. Exhibitions: A Practical Guide for Small Museums and Galleries, Museums Australia, 2007.
-- Thompson, J.M.A. (ed.) Manual of Curatorship: A Guide to Museum Practice, 2nd edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 1992 (out of print)
-- Wallace-Crabbe, Marianne, Guidelines for Internships, Art Museums Association of Australia, Fitzroy, Vic., c1993.

This will certainly keep me going for a while! That's if I can find and buy them ... A lot of them are out of print/stock at the Book Depository so this might be a little tricky. It's something to think about anyway. Hopefully I can access a book list if I get into the Sydney Uni. Forever hoping.