Museum Studies: An Anthology of Contexts provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary collection of approaches to museums and their relation to history, culture, philosophy and their adoring or combative publics.

Brings together for the first time a wide array of texts that mix contemporary analysis with historical documentation
Includes five sections that highlight central themes in museum studies: issue-oriented contexts in museology; states of "nature"; the status of nations; history, memory and other locations; and arts, crafts and visitors
Addresses the development of museums, the role of the museum in society, and issues central to contemporary museum studies
Opens with an introductory essay that situates museum studies in a truly interdisciplinary context and includes an opening essay for each section that guides the reader through the selections
Includes a bibliography and list of resources devoted to museum studies that makes the volume an authoritative guide on the subject