• Museum and Curatorial Studies (Minor)

  • Overview

    The minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies introduces students to museum and curatorial practices, the concerns underlying them, their historical and theoretical frameworks, and their applications beyond the preservation and display of objects. The curriculum explores works in a wide range of media and their installation both within and outside of museum walls. Students in the minor develop practical and academic skills in visual studies, curation, and cultural policy.

    The minor requires six courses with a minimum of 18 credits. Two introductory courses introduce students to the field, two advanced courses explore topics in visual culture and history, and two advanced courses look specifically at museums and curatorial practices.

    At least one of the introductory courses is offered every semester. Advanced courses come from a list of electives that vary.

    Students interested in a minor can simulate a worksheet that accounts for courses already completed and in progress using the "What If" feature in Degree Works.

    Course availability may vary from semester to semester. Some courses may be in development and offered at a later time. Students seeking to pursue alternative coursework to fulfill the minor should consult with their advisors.

    Curriculum

    Subject AreaSample CoursesCredits
    Introductory CoursesNARH 2200 The Arts and Social Engagement: An Introduction 
    NARH 2102 Introduction to Museum Studies
    NARH 3424 Take Care: Introduction to Curatorial Studies and Practice
    LVIS 2010 Exhibitions as History                                                                                                                     
     6-8
    Advanced Courses in Visual Culture and History

    LVIS 3010 Contemporary Latin American Art
    NARH 2550 End of Art
    NARH 3729 From Object to Experience: Art of the 1960s and 1970s
    NCST 3104 History of the Photography Book
    NARH 3XXX Representation and Disability
    PLVS 3002 Art, Visual Culture, and Tourism

      8
    Advanced Courses in Museum and Curatorial PracticesLINA 2027 Art and Its Institutions
    LVIS 3047 20th-Century Russian and Soviet Art Across Borders: A Transnational Perspective 
    NANT 3633 Whose Heritage? Contested Cultural Sites
    NARH 3857 Artists as Entrepreneurs
    LVIS 3250 Practicing Curating
    PLFS 3040 Fashion and Curation: Curatorial Practice in Contemporary Fashion  

    PGHT 5005 Curating in the Public Domain

     6-8

    Learning Outcomes

    A student who has completed this minor should be able to demonstrate:

    • Familiarity with the history of collecting and the origins of museums
    • Awareness of current debates and best practices in the fields
    • An understanding of the significance and relevance of historical material and visual culture for the present day
    • The ability to think, speak, and write critically about exhibitions and displays
    • The ability to conduct historical research on visual and material culture using primary and secondary sources
    • Competency in writing exhibition, grant, and public programming proposals
    • The ability to contribute to the conceptualization, curation, or production of an exhibition, installation, performance, or other curated event

    Eligibility

    Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses taken for the minor.

    For questions regarding this minor's curriculum, including requests for course substitutions, please contact Professor Soyoung Yoon (Lang) at [email protected], Professor Mev Luna (Parsons) at [email protected], or Professor Julia Foulkes (Schools of public Engagement) at [email protected]

    How to Declare or Change a Minor

    General guidelines for declaring a minor are available here. Current students can declare or change a minor by logging in to my.newschool.edu, clicking on the Academics tab, and then clicking on the link to Major/Minor Declarations.

  • Take the Next Step

    Contact your Student Success advisor to discuss how a minor will fit with your degree requirements.

    Declare or change a minor on my.newschool.edu in the Academics tab. 

  • Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

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