From the Smithsonian:

Image: Public Domain

Enrollment is now open for the Smithsonian Institution’s new online course, The History, Presence, and Possibility of Black Museums. The course will be offered online through the Harvard extension program for continuing education beginning January 30 – March 9, 2019. The last day to register without a late fee is Jan. 27, 2019.

Division of Continuing Education – Extension: (25328)
Term: Spring 2019
Course Instructor(s): Deborah Mack PhD, Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution
Meeting Time: See course description

Course Description: For the past 150 years, black museums have been solidifying their place as critical cultural resources for communities around the United States and the world. Despite this long history, many still believe that there is no literature to reference in teaching or writing about black museums from a museum studies perspective. This unique course challenges that belief by looking at black museums from a reference point that addresses a range of museum topics: history, professional practice, cultural practice, audience development/engagement, and globalizing influence. This course provides important perspectives, case studies, and resources to shine a light on the development of diversity in museums. With nearly 200 museums to reference in the US and beyond, and with a history that began 150 years ago, we work through the abundant corpus of archival, visual, moving image, and digital material to both inform and animate the lessons learned over the semester. This is a topic on which one enters the room bringing one’s world view and priorities based on a people’s history, cultures, and values to the table: context is all.

Notes: Wednesdays, January 30-March 16, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Thursday, March 7, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Friday, March 8, 9:00am-6:00pm
Saturday, March 9, 9:00am-1:00pm

Online (live) web conference w/ required on-campus weekend.

It meets in an intensive half-term format from January 28-March 16, beginning via web conference during the first week of the term. Along with the web-conference meetings, it includes an intensive and mandatory weekend residency in Washington, DC. The intensive weekend meets at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Students must be present for the entire weekend session in Washington to earn credit for the course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International Students see important visa information.

Graduate credit $2,750.

Register for Course:

https://www.extension.harvard.edu/course-catalog/courses/smithsonian-the-history-presence-and-possibility-of-black-museums/25328?keyword=smithsonian