Course: DIG 6774C Virtual Museums

The influence of digital media on the cultural heritage sector has become pervasive and profound. Today museums are reliant on new technologies to manage their collections. They collect digital as well as materials objects. New media is embedded within their exhibition spaces. And their activity online is as important as their physical presence on site. From management of digital archives to virtual re-unification of dismembered collections, from on-site augmented reality visits to virtual reality remote experiences, from digital storytelling to participatory museum experiences, museums have become the ultimate development environment for digital humanities. This course critically analyzes a wide range of digital applications on public history and archaeology focusing on the impact 3D visualization has got on historians, curators, museum educators, docents and local and global public. This course provides a hands-on, project based study of best practices in virtualization of museum collections, webification of museum communication programs and development of on-site and online digital sharing platforms.