Program Overview
The Joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies is a program offered by The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London and Effat University.
The Program aims to prepare its graduates for careers in museums. The graduates of the program understand the roles of museums, can assess the theoretical and methodological approaches to the museum environment, can take the role of curators and can communicate and engage with diverse museum audiences. These graduates will assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving its mission to protect and promote the heritage of Saudi Arabia; and its vision to establish museums as centers for cultural and social engagement for citizens, residents and visitors.
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the Joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies are to:
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Demonstrate critical awareness of the local and global role of museums
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Assess theoretical and methodological approaches to the museum environment
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Evaluate the role of the museum curator
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Reflect on how to engage museum audiences
Program Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
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K1- Demonstrate understanding of foundation skills in Museum Studies
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K2- Demonstrate in depth knowledge of key concepts in Museum Studies
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K3- Demonstrate a critical engagement with scholarship on museology and ability to write an exhibition proposal
Skills:
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S1- Assess the theoretical and practical frameworks in various complex museum contexts
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S2- Critically evaluate current curatorial practices in various complex contexts
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S3- Create innovative curatorial approaches through the application of principles of research design and the selection of appropriate methodology
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S4- Communicate effectively with diverse museum audiences using curatorial narratives to assess their effectiveness
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S5- Use specialized digital applications to reflect and analyze how museums are responding to the digital age
Values, Responsibility and Autonomy:
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V1- Collaborate to plan, develop, implement and meet objectives and criteria
Career Opportunities
Below are some of the potential career opportunities for graduates of the Higher Diploma in Museum Studies Program:
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Curator at a Museum
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Collections Manager
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Records Manager
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Museum or Gallery Manager
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Tour Guide
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Archivist
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Engagement Manager
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Researcher in Museum Studies
Graduation Requirements
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Core Courses
Museum Studies
24
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Thesis
Thesis in Museum Studies
6
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Total Program Credits
30
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Semester 1
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MUS 501
Analyzing and Exploring the Museum
3
0
3
45
None
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MUS 502
Core Principles of Curation
5
1
6
90
None
-
Total Credit Hours
8
1
9
135
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Semester 2
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MUS 511
Museum Collections in Practice
2
1
3
45
None
-
MUS 512
Engagement, Audiences and Access
2
1
3
45
None
-
MUS 513
Curation in a Digital Age
2
1
3
45
None
-
Total Credit Hours
6
3
9
135
-
Semester 3
-
MUS 521
Independent Study Project in Museum Studies
2
8
6
150
None
-
Total Credit Hours
2
8
6
150
-
Total Credit Hours for Higher Diploma in Museum Studies:
24
-
Total Contact Hours for Higher Diploma in Museum Studies:
420
