cookieImage
2025-2026 / HAAR0161-1

Introduction to museology and issues of social and environmental transition, Introduction to museology, including issues of social and environmental transition

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in ancient and modern languages and literatures5 crédits 
 Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : classics5 crédits 
 Bachelor in information and communication5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology5 crédits 
 Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : Oriental studies (Registrations are closed)5 crédits 
 Bachelor in philosophy5 crédits 
 Bachelor in French and Romance languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Master in communication, professional focus in publishing and the publishing industry5 crédits 
 Master in communication, professional focus in cultural mediation and public relations5 crédits 

Lecturer

Nicolas Navarro

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course offers an introduction to museology, taking an interdisciplinary approach to museums. It will therefore address the museum phenomenon from historical, political, social and anthropological perspectives, among others.

The sessions will alternate between different themes that will enable students to understand the theoretical and professional issues at stake in the museum world: the different functions of museums, exhibitions, cultural mediation, museum audiences, etc.

It will also address issues of social and environmental transitions specific to the museum world.


Museum visits (Grand Curtius reserves) and presentations by museum professionals are also planned.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, students will be able to identify and explain the various challenges facing museums in the 21st century and the different professions, roles and activities within museums.

They must also be able to critically analyse an exhibition.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

No prerequisites are required. However, a 'museum culture' forged by regular visits to museums and exhibitions is an asset.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures

Some classes may take the form of workshops focusing on reading and analysing key texts, lectures by professionals, and visits to institutions.

Course materials (in PowerPoint format) are made available to students after each class. Although they contain the essential information (illustrations, quotations, etc.), they are not sufficient on their own: note-taking, additional reading and the development of a museum culture through museum visits are essential.

The course is supplemented by the SPOC Sustainability and Transition.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face course



If the professor is away (symposium, conference, expert mission), the class may be replaced by another activity and/or taught by Alix Nyssen, Nicolas Navarro's assistant.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

The PowerPoint presentation made available to students at the end of each session includes the bibliography for each course. Critical reading sessions of scientific articles will be organised during the course.

At the same time, reading the museology textbook (Gob André and Drouguet Noémie, La muséologie, Paris, Armand Colin, 2021) and consulting the museology dictionary (Mairesse François (ed.), Dictionnaire de muséologie, Paris, Armand Colin, 2022) are strongly recommended.

 

Some reference works (non-compulsory reading):

  • Chaumier Serge et François Mairesse, La médiation culturelle, Paris, Armand Colin, 2021.
  • Eidelman, Jacqueline, Roustan Mélanie et Bernadette Goldstein, La place des publics. De l'usage des études et recherches par les musées, Paris, La documentation française, 2007.
  • Glicenstein, Jérôme, L'art : une histoire d'expositions, Paris, PUF, 2009.
  • Gob André et Drouguet Noémie, La muséologie, Paris, Armand Colin, 2021.
  • Mairesse François (dir.), Dictionnaire de muséologie, Paris, Armand Colin, 2022.
  • Meunier Anik et Luckerhoff Jason (dirs.), La muséologie, champ de théories et de pratiques, Québec, Presses univeritaires de Québec, 2012.
  • Pomian, Krzysztof, Le musée, une histoire mondiale. 3 tomes, Paris, Gallimard, 2020-2022. 
  • Poulot, Dominique, Patrimoine et musées. L'institution de la culture, Paris, Hachette, 2001.
  • Tobelem, Jean-Michel, Le nouvel âge des musées - Les institutions culturelles au défi de la gestion : Les institutions culturelles au défi de la gestion, Paris, Armand Colin, 2010.
  • Journals : Culture & Musées et La lettre de l'OCIM 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

Written work / report


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person : written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Written work 


Additional information:



The assignment is to be submitted during the term (December). It consists of a written report (between 12,000 and 15,000 characters).

The written assessment takes place in January. The examination will be in written form. It consists of a questionnaire with several open questions and a commentary on a quotation. During the term, a mock examination with answers will be given to students.

Work placement(s)

---

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

---

Contacts

Full-time Teacher : 


Nicolas NAVARRO, chargé de cours

Département des Sciences historiques

Service de Muséologie

Quai Roosevelt 1B - Bât. A4 - 0/3, Liège - 4000

email : nicolas.navarro@uliege.be

Website : https://www.museologie.uliege.be

 

Secretary :  Josiane DERULLIEUR - 04.366.53.41

Association of one or more MOOCs