Major
MA in Museum Studies
Research Abstract
Human rights have become highly discussed topic and one of the dominant themes in the museum field. The main reason that the idea of social inclusion is popular is that society constructs a sense of reliability and creativity, and hence becomes an important power element in politics. Therefore, social issues can be discussed, constructed and politicized in museums. More specifically, this research will compare and analyze three case studies – Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, Canada, Civil and Human Rights Center, Atlanta, USA and GULAG, Perm - 36, Kuchino, Russia). While these three museums are treated as important cultural and tourist destinations and participate in difficult history memorialization and raising awareness, they also raise ethical concerns on the matter of social inclusion. Therefore, based on these three case studies the paper will argue that these national human rights museums might be putting the focus on economic change rather than on providing an opportunity for social growth. Thus, I will present my outside perspective on the challenges and controversies of applying the idea of social inclusion. I will analyze each museum’s commitment to social inclusion by investigating architecture, mission and vision, governance and funding, programming/exhibitions and mass media reviews. This methodology is based primarily on published and peer reviewed research papers, journals, articles, books and websites. I believe that this study may facilitate an understanding of museum engagement with social issues and a responsible inclusion of human rights idea on local, national and international levels. Also, I hope to identify new approaches to communicating social issues, specifically within human rights museum that are funded by the government and to see how museums can give more opportunities for communities to develop critical citizenship skills.
Faculty Mentor/Advisor
Paula Birnbaum
Course
Museums Study: History and Theory
National Human Rights Museums: An Engine for Social or Economic Growth? A Comparative Analyses of Conscience Museums of Canada, USA and Russia.
Human rights have become highly discussed topic and one of the dominant themes in the museum field. The main reason that the idea of social inclusion is popular is that society constructs a sense of reliability and creativity, and hence becomes an important power element in politics. Therefore, social issues can be discussed, constructed and politicized in museums. More specifically, this research will compare and analyze three case studies – Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, Canada, Civil and Human Rights Center, Atlanta, USA and GULAG, Perm - 36, Kuchino, Russia). While these three museums are treated as important cultural and tourist destinations and participate in difficult history memorialization and raising awareness, they also raise ethical concerns on the matter of social inclusion. Therefore, based on these three case studies the paper will argue that these national human rights museums might be putting the focus on economic change rather than on providing an opportunity for social growth. Thus, I will present my outside perspective on the challenges and controversies of applying the idea of social inclusion. I will analyze each museum’s commitment to social inclusion by investigating architecture, mission and vision, governance and funding, programming/exhibitions and mass media reviews. This methodology is based primarily on published and peer reviewed research papers, journals, articles, books and websites. I believe that this study may facilitate an understanding of museum engagement with social issues and a responsible inclusion of human rights idea on local, national and international levels. Also, I hope to identify new approaches to communicating social issues, specifically within human rights museum that are funded by the government and to see how museums can give more opportunities for communities to develop critical citizenship skills.
