Interpretation and Meaning-Making in Cultural Institutions

MSL2330H — Interpretation and Meaning Making in Museums

This course delves into the contemporary practices of the professional communities that make up the field of museum interpretation. Interpretation professionals are advocates for museum visitors and broader communities, and this course explores the tools and theoretical base employed by the field in the pursuit of this mission. By centering on the interpretive plan, the primary tool of interpretation professionals, we delve into storytelling, collaborative content production, design thinking principles, and audience segmentation approaches. Of primary importance in this course is an evaluation of the field to understand how it participates to broader equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

• Syllabus Winter 2017
• Syllabus Winter 2018
• Syllabus Fall 2019
• Syllabus Summer 2020