Date of Graduation
Fall 2010
Degree
Master of Science in Applied Anthropology
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Committee Chair
Elizabeth Sobel
Abstract
The recent scholarly critique of ethnographic museum exhibits clearly calls for greater incorporation of four main principles: reflexivity, multivocality, contextuality, and interactivity. Unfortunately, many if not most current exhibits on culture do not incorporate all or any of these principles. Consequently, most ethnographic exhibits are less representative and respectful of the presented culture, and less educational and engaging for visitors than they otherwise might be. For this thesis project, I addressed this problem by designing an ethnographic exhibit on the Osage Nation that incorporates reflexivity, multivocality, contextuality, and interactivity for the WorldWise gallery at Discovery Center in Springfield, Missouri. I carried out this project by collaborating with the Osage Nation, researching Osage culture, and gaining feedback from Osage Nation representatives, Discovery Center museum staff, and anthropologists at Missouri State University.
Keywords
anthropology, museum, exhibit, Osage, reflexivity, multivocality, contextuality, interactivity
Subject Categories
Anthropology
Copyright
© Megan Lynn Scales
Recommended Citation
Scales, Megan Lynn, "The Contemporary Critique of Ethnographic Exhibits: A Case Study at Discovery Center Springfield" (2010). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 1178.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1178
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