The course will examine the history of museums in Europe and the United States beginning with early private collections and cabinets of curiosity. The class will explore the histories of the Louvre, British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Museum of Modern Art, as well as selected history, natural history, and smaller art museums. The course will conclude with a discussion of some of the issues facing museums today including repatriation of artifacts, decolonization, thefts, museum protests, and AI.