MST 662 - Visitor Services and Visitor Studies (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the people and communities who visit museums, and to trends in museum attendance. In this course, we will study visitor experiences in physical museums, as well as museum websites. We will consider museums as sites for constructing meaning and places of lifelong learning, and explore the ways on-site and online museum visits can change or transform individuals. After taking this course, students will be able to analyze visitor experiences at museums in constructive and critical ways. Students will reflect on how museums can fulfil their search for value and meaning by building new kinds of relationships with their publics. Students will learn to evaluate visitor responses to on-site exhibitions and programs, and how to assess content on museum websites and social media sites. At the broadest level, students will improve their skills as museum educators, communicators, and visitor researchers.