The Future of Philadelphia's Past (AmSt 2900.401) and Museums and American Culture (AmSt 2022.401)

Philadelphia's cultural community is among the nation's largest and most complex.  Yet, in a place whose very identity is derived from the past, the region's history museums, historic sites, and related collections are challenged by outdated programming, shrinking audiences, and decreased funding.   During fall 2009, students will have two options for undertaking in-depth, classroom and community-based explorations of this problem and its emerging solutions.  Ken Finkel's "The Future of Philadelphia's Past" will provide a critical examination of Philadelphia's historical resources toward identifying a sustainable future for the city's past.  Seth Bruggeman's concurrent "Museums and American Culture" will consider the same conundrum through the lens of museum history.  Here, students will assess the role museums have long played in shaping national identity, classifying knowledge, and representing culture.  Both courses will share occasional field trips and guest speakers in hopes of generating a broad discussion about the past, present, and future of Philadelphia's past.