AH5606 The Digital Museum: Past, Present and Future

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr N P Meehan

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Ms Nicole Meehan

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module critically analyses the adoption of digital technologies in cultural institutions and the impact of this upon their audiences. We begin by looking to the past in order to understand the present: what is the legacy of the origins of the digital museum? The present is examined through discussion of contemporary issues in the sector including digital access, inclusion, co-production and curatorial authority, environmental sustainability, the impact of AI and digital decolonisation. Finally, we look to the future in anticipation of new trends and problems that the next generation of museum professionals will encounter. Throughout, students will interact with, and critique, digital platforms and software, a process that will act as preparation for working within the cultural sector or in the pursuit of further academic study.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS GD5601 AND PASS GD5602

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

11 x 1.5 hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

16

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

264

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • • Understand the role of digital technologies in museums and the impact of these upon audiences
  • • Reflect upon institutional power structures in museums
  • • Define their positionally with respect to sector debates and to consider the impact of this on their practice
  • • Become familiar with a range of digital tools used in museums in a practical sense
  • • Engage effectively in reflective and critical thinking and group discussion