MC2CCM: Curatorship and Collections Management

Module code: MC2CCM

Module provider: The Museum of English Rural Life

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Rhi Smith , email: r.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores the methods used by museum professionals to store, catalogue, and research objects and communicate their meaning to the general public. This is a practical introduction to researching, cataloguing, interpreting and displaying museum objects. The module is based on work with objects from the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø's collections. You will choose one object from the stores, and will be set assignments requiring them to research and interpret the object. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the principles of collections management and object analysis and display
2. Apply these principles in researching, cataloguing, and interpreting a specific object
3. Research a stored object using archival resources, other museum objects, and specialist library materials

Module content

Material culture is all around us, yet few people know how to analyse and interpret its meaning to others. This module is a practical introduction to researching, analysing, cataloguing, conserving and interpreting objects. Lectures will introduce you to the relevant museum theory which informs these activities. Using case studies from a range of museums, this module will examine the theoretical, ethical, and practical issues underpinning collections management.  

You will be taught how to analyse different types of artefacts using observational skills, archival resources and basic material culture theory. You will learn to explore the interpretive potential of artefacts and discuss how museums can unlock multiple meanings of everyday objects to engage new audiences. The module will also investigate how practical and ethical concerns may impact on curatorial choices.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught in the Museum of English Rural Life. Lectures will introduce theory and practice while seminars will involve practical analysis and research of museum objects. Lectures will be interactive and will include contributions by MERL archive, curatorial, education and conservation staff, who will connect their areas of expertise to wider issues regarding museums. Seminars will provide the opportunity to clarify and interrogate elements of lectures and will also be used to  progress course tasks. Group activities in seminars will develop your interpersonal, research and communication skills. Assignments ask you to apply theory to practice and are designed to engage you in research. 
You will have the opportunity to draw on the expertise of MERL staff while conducting archival research in the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Room, museum and store. 

This is a 20-credit module, which means that it is intended to occupy you for 200 hours of work: seminar preparation, background reading, essay reading, writing, and in the case of the undergraduates: revision and sitting the examination. With that in mind the kind of workload you should expect might be as follows: 

• 22 hours Contact hours in formal teaching sessions 
• 18 hours Visiting the MERL and other museums (virtually and in person) to observe different examples of heritage interpretation. 
• 30 hours Researching your object. Specialist staff will be available to assist you with accessing objects, catalogue data, specialist library, and archival material. 
• 40 hours preparation and writing your assignments. 
• 90 hours e