These are the courses I currently teach:
FAH/ED/HIST 0285 Museums Today: Mission and Function
Fall semester, Thursday evenings from 6 – 9
This is the museum studies foundation course that every student takes. Cara Iacobucci and I each teach a section in side-by-side classrooms, and we bring the sections together for guest-speakers.
This course has exposed me to arenas of the museum world that I was not previously familiar with and has given me a broad understanding and starting point for them to work from.
Though difficult, the research papers were likely the most helpful because they were the most challenging. I also greatly appreciated the in–class discussions as they were informative and gave fellow students a chance to share their experiences which add to our collective understanding.
Class discussions were really helpful in terms of elaborating and developing thoughts about the topics at hand, sometimes challenging or heated topics.
The discussions were some of the best aspects of this course because they really let us digest and work out the information with each other.
~ Students in Cynthia’s section of Museums Today: Mission and Function 2021
ED0280 Teaching and Learning in the Museum
Fall semester, Wednesday evenings from 6 – 9
This course is required for Museum Education Masters students and optional for other museum studies students. We explore learning theory and how it helps us understand and plan for museum visitors. We experiment with a variety of teaching strategies, in various museum types, for a wide range of audiences.
This was my favorite class this semester. The professor and our class discussions challenged me to think deeply about successful museum education. I really enjoyed attaining a broad overview of learning theories.
This class has really made me reflect on who I am as a learner and how I learn, and who I am as an instructor and how I teach. Throughout the course I was able to really stretch my thinking on the boundaries for how people learn in informal learning institutions like museums.
~ Students in Teaching and Learning in the Museum 2016
ED0282 Proseminar in Museum Interpretation
Spring, Monday evenings from 6 – 9
This is the capstone course for Museum Education Masters students: the third of three museum education courses. For the past several years we have devoted several weeks on each of the following topics: navigating cultural appropriation, interpreting frozen moments in time (like dioramas and period rooms), and facilitating difficult conversations. Students produce mock-up gallery guides, present oral interpretation, and practice storytelling. The syllabus changes with students’ interests, and events in the field.
I was able to design my own learning which was an original and unique way to engage with the course. For example, everyone had the opportunity to propose an idea for the final project. I proposed one which was a short assignment and then modified into a final project. Maybe my idea was not the inspiration for the final project, but I strongly felt that way. I felt a strong sense of ownership for the project idea which increased my motivation to deliver a good product. In my opinion, Cynthia made some intentional choices to make the project seem personal for folks which I find quite admirable.
I think this course has helped me frame any information I want to convey to make it as interesting and as engaging as possible.
~ Students in Proseminar in Museum Interpretation 2021
Advising
I advise all Museum Education Masters students and Certificate students. I generally meet with each student every semester, and together we plan the best course of action through Tufts. Tufts has wonderful resources and courses, and since every student arrives with individual interests and background, I try to customize each student’s trajectory through coursework as much as possible.
“Cynthia is caring, welcoming, and open to her students, which provides a positive and fun environment in the classroom. She is also very helpful in assisting students with questions or problems in work.”
~ Student in Cynthia’s section of Museums Today: Mission and Function 2016