Museum Studies Minor

Posted by pgreer

Recently added to the curriculum, the Museum Studies minor offered by the History, Anthropology, and Classics (HAC) Department allows students to engage with the inner workings of museums. In Museum Studies courses, students complete 18 credit hours as they learn about the history of museums and the ethical decisions affecting displays and exhibits. One class that students enjoy greatly is Museum Studies (AN347). Students learn materials one day and visit a museum in Indianapolis the next. This minor is perfect for people interested in museum work who want to expand their knowledge and practical skills. 

Although offered through the History, Anthropology, and Classics Department in conjunction with the Jordan College of the Arts, the minor appeals to non-HAC majors due to its multi-discipline approach. The Museum Studies minor intersects with several academic fields: history, anthropology, classics, art, art history, and archaeology. This broad approach attracts students to this minor, and one of these individuals is Lauren Luktish. Luktish has a major in art history and minors in Museum Studies. She added this minor on the recommendation of a faculty member, as she had a passion for art and the inner workings of a museum. She loves how this minor allows her to visit museums in class and talk to curators at various museums in Indianapolis. Luktish says, “This experience helps me understand and see all the decisions and controversies involved in museums and the political and ethical issues not seen by the average museum-goer.”

The Museum Studies minor reveals another layer to the museum experience. Students learn about the curator process, the decisions affecting displays, and how museums operate. Headed by Dr. Elise Edwards, this minor is perfect for those who want to dig deeper into the museum. It rounds out a liberal arts education and suits various disciplines. 

For additional information, contact Dr. Elise Edwards at emedwar1@butler.edu.

Geography and Global Studies Minor

Posted by pgreer

One of the unique minors the History, Anthropology, and Classics (HAC) Department offers is the Geography and Global Studies minor. Dr. Thomas Paradis is the head advisor and created the minor because a growing number of students showed interest in human and environmental geography and urban design. Since no existing course of study focused on these topics, Dr. Paradis revamped an old geography minor and made it more multidisciplinary to appeal to students around the university. In Geography and Global Studies courses, students learn about human, cultural, urban, and environmental geography, global development, and technical skills like GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Because of its multidisciplinary approach, many classes fulfill the 18 credit hours requirement. One of the courses required is a Natural World credit, and one of the most interesting is Earth System Science (NW260 – COE). In this class, students learn about the earth and the natural phenomena that occur on it. One unit deals with cave systems, and some professors take students to southern Indiana to visit a couple of cave systems. They learned how they formed inside the classroom and got real-world experience. Another class that counts toward the Geography and Global Studies minor is Experiencing the City (PCA267-HST/AN). This course also fulfills the Indianapolis Community Requirement (ICR) and allows students to explore the Indianapolis area. Every week brings a new experience. Students visit museums, art galleries, organizations, and other places reinvigorating the Indianapolis community. 

The Geography and Global Studies minor is perfect for those wanting to learn more about the environment and how humans interact with it. This minor encourages more global and local awareness of diverse customs, cultures, and approaches to development and how the natural environment affects human decisions. Dr. Paradis’s goal is “for students to gain enough experience in these topics to enhance their majors and make them more employable within the rapidly expanding opportunities for green and sustainable career paths. “This minor does that and more as it calls for people to go out and explore the world. 

For additional information, contact Dr. Thomas Paradis, at tparadis@butler.edu.