John Ploof

This course explores current issues in museum education and audience engagement with an emphasis on implications for practice. Students will engage with concepts such as partnerships, accessibility, youth engagement, community outreach, public programming, and more. Students will also explore museum practice as it is shaped by legacies of colonialism, systemic racism, misogyny, and other forms of exclusion, in addition to addressing urgent questions about museums in the COVID era and beyond. Students will directly engage with museums in Chicago and elsewhere both remotely and in person (where safe and appropriate), and will regularly interact with practicing museum professionals, primarily at the Art Institute of Chicago. Discussions and projects will be supplemented and inspired by readings and other media, as well as museum visits and conversations with guest presenters. This course is based upon the premise that public cultural institutions must be seen as important sites for life-long and at-will learning (entertainment and pleasure). Along with libraries, public museums are one of our nation?s few institutions that offer all citizens access to essential opportunities and resources.

Section 001: Thesis Fieldwork - The individual student and instructor will meet at agreed times to provide supervision and dialogue relating to the clinical experience. The choice of field site is agreed upon by student, instructor, and site supervisor. Students will spend 12 hours per week for 3 semester hours credit. This course can be taken for 3 or 6 semester hours. Section 002: Career and Professional Experience Elective Internship - Graduate CAPX education and internships in art education allow students to work in part-time, art-related CAPX positions in approved organizations and institutions. Students are assigned a CAPX faculty adviser. Participation requires a total of 210 hours, with a minimum weekly average of 15 work hours with the internship organization. Call the Career and Professional Experience Program at 312/ 499-4130 for further information. Permission to register for this course must be obtained from the director of the CAPX Program.

Section 001: Thesis Fieldwork - The individual student and instructor will meet at agreed times to provide supervision and dialogue relating to the clinical experience. The choice of field site is agreed upon by student, instructor, and site supervisor. Students will spend 12 hours per week for 3 semester hours credit. This course can be taken for 3 or 6 semester hours. Section 002: Career and Professional Experience Elective Internship - Graduate CAPX education and internships in art education allow students to work in part-time, art-related CAPX positions in approved organizations and institutions. Students are assigned a CAPX faculty adviser. Participation requires a total of 210 hours, with a minimum weekly average of 15 work hours with the internship organization. Call the Career and Professional Experience Program at 312/ 499-4130 for further information. Permission to register for this course must be obtained from the director of the CAPX Program.