BA.MUST - Museum Studies

Destiny Crider (program director)

The museum studies minor is a course of study intended to introduce and familiarize individuals with the foundations of contemporary museum practices and to better understand museums and their impact on social, civic, and cultural life. The minor provides students with an introduction to practical skills and basic knowledge needed to work in museums and other heritage institutions.

A Luther program for some 30 years, the museum studies program furthers the college's commitment to the liberal arts by offering students a venue in which to apply their knowledge. It is further intended to meet several key components of the college's mission, including the promotion of public service, the preservation of tradition, and a strong emphasis on moving students beyond immediate interests and knowledge toward a recognition of the larger world around us.

The museum studies minor involves three required courses (MUST 120, 220, and MUST 380) and three elective courses. Electives may involve exploration of subjects reflecting cultural and natural heritage subjects, which encompass both the human-created and natural aspects of our world that hold significant value to society. Electives may involve developing skills and methods for understanding, documenting and communicating the significance of objects and ideas to public audiences. (Students may petition the program director to accept courses not on the list below to satisfy the elective requirement, given they can justify its relevance to museums and museum work.) At least one elective must come from outside the student's major field of study.

Required for a minor: MUST 120, 220, 380 and three courses from the following list (one of which must fall outside of the student's major discipline): ANTH 101, 104, ART 206, 290, ARTH 251, 252, 256, BIO 112, 251, 258, CLAS 250, 275, EDUC 220, 221, ENG 211, HIST 227, 256, NORST 115, THTR 203, VC 150.