Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA Museum Professions

Department

Communication and the Arts

Advisor

Madison A. Krall, PhD

Advisor

Renee Robinson, PhD

Committee Member

Sadia E. Cheema, PhD

Committee Member

Taylor Henry, PhD

Committee Member

Ruth Tsuria, PhD

Committee Member

Jessica Rauchberg, PhD

Keywords

Museums, Confederate Monuments, Confederate Symbols, Lost Cause, Historical Memory, Contested History, Discourse Analysis

Abstract

In the United States, conversations about what should be done with Confederate monuments often invoke museums as a solution to dealing with them after their removal, whether that be through protest or planned action. Using discourse analysis, this study considered public and professional perceptions regarding the role of museums in the debate over Confederate monuments to highlight how the public contributes to the discourse surrounding this controversial topic. This thesis analyzed discourse from the American Alliance of Museums, the New York Times, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch that was published between May 2020 and May 2023 and revealed three dominant themes: (1) museums as educational sites where social justice must be prioritized; (2) museums as custodians of historical memory; and (3) museums as an “easy solution” despite logistical concerns. The discourse analysis revealed that while the topic is controversial, museums act as trusted institutions that serve the public by addressing controversial topics in an educational way.

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