Classes
The Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships sponsors special applied courses at Drexel based on partnerships with cultural nonprofits, which address the organization’s specific needs.
We have offered graduate and undergraduate courses in collaboration with faculty in multiple disciplines, across colleges/schools, including Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, College of Arts and Sciences, and other interdisciplinary courses.
Courses often result in a usable plan, report, or other deliverable presented to the organization.
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Course Examples
Ethics of Display
Partnership with Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
(HSAD T380, Special Topics in Health Services Administration, College of Nursing and Health Professions, cross-listed with History; Science, Technology & Society; and Africana Studies)
In Winter 2022, Dr. Sharrona Pearl taught this undergraduate Community-Based Learning course in which students considered the ethics of display and worked hands on with materials in the Museum’s archives and in consultation with staff to produce final group projects: educational materials for the Museum’s use.
Leadership, Strategy & Planning in Arts and Culture
Partnership with Philadelphia Music Alliance / Philadelphia Music Heritage Council
(AAML 680, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)
In Fall 2021, Prof. Neville Vakharia taught this graduate course in which students explored strategies for the future of these two related Philadelphia music organizations, presenting recommendations to the organizations’ leadership.
Community Archives and Collective Memory
Partnership with Wyck Historic House, Garden & Farm
(HNRS 301, Colloquium II, Pennoni Honors College)
In Spring 2021, Dr. Alex Poole (College of Computing & Informatics) and Julie Rainbow (social researcher, oral historian, artist and teacher) developed and taught this new undergraduate course. With a civic engagement priority, the course was place based, addressing community archives, oral history/collective memory, and emphasizing unheard/marginalized voices.
Read article about Julie Rainbow
Leadership, Strategy & Planning in Arts and Culture
Partnership with Neon Museum of Philadelphia
(AAML 680, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)
In Fall 2020, Prof. Neville Vakharia taught this graduate course in which students explored and developed strategies for this unique organization/collection, presenting recommended Strategies for Success related to organizational structure, marketing, and collections to the organization’s leadership.
Cultural Planning and Digital Storysharing
Partnership with Wyck Historic House, Garden & Farm
(AADM T680/DIGM T680/WEST T480, Special Topics, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)
In Spring 2020, Prof. Neville Vakharia and Dr. Glen Muschio taught this graduate course based on an ongoing collaboration with Wyck through the Lenfest Center. With input from a group of Community Fellows, students conducted community-based research (data collection, interviews) and developed a plan for a proposed project: community stories animated with community artwork, presented via “story cloth” murals and smartphone app, and archived at Wyck. The class resulted in a database of 60+ community resources for future use.
Hamilton’s Bank: An Applied History Course
Partnership with First Bank of the United States / Independence National Historical Park
(History T280, Special Topics in History, College of Arts and Sciences)
In Spring 2017, Dr. Rosalind Remer (Lenfest Center Executive Director) taught this undergraduate course in which students participated in interpretive planning with Park staff and experts related to future exhibitions at the First Bank, located in Old City Philadelphia.
Event Planning for Nonprofits
Partnership with International House of Philadelphia
(Center for Hospitality & Sport Management)
In Spring 2017, Paul O’Neill and Rosemary Trout (both College of Nursing and Health Professions) taught this course in which 21 students planned a full-scale event in partnership with IHP. The free event, A Taste of Philly, was open to the public, and offered food, music, and prizes, while highlighting IHP’s programs and services.
Interpretive Planning for Historic Sites & Museums
Partnership with Reading Terminal Market
(HIST T480/MUSL T680, Special Topics in Museum Leadership, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design; Special Topics in History, College of Arts and Sciences)
In Fall 2016, Lenfest Center staff members Dr. Page Talbott and Melissa Clemmer taught this course in which students participated in interpretive planning with RTM staff and vendors, focusing on the site’s 125th anniversary.
Museum Design Development
Partnership with African American Museum in Philadelphia
(ARCH/INTR, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)
In Fall 2016, Prof. Rena Cumby taught this graduate-level course in which interdisciplinary teams of students developed schematic building and interior planning designs based on the program developed in the previous Summer Term Special Topics course (Museum Program Development).
Museum Program Development
Partnership with African American Museum in Philadelphia
(ARCH/INTR, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)
In Summer 2016, Prof. Rena Cumby taught this graduate-level course, which, building upon the findings from the previous related Strategic Planning course (AADM 710), explored the application of the strategic direction of AAMP to the physical structure and design of the Museum. This was intended to develop an accurate and appropriate program of the Museum to be the basis for design in the succeeding course (Museum Design Development).
Strategic Planning and Evaluation
Partnership with African American Museum in Philadelphia
(AADM 710, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)
In Spring 2016, Prof. Neville Vakharia taught this graduate course focused on interpreting existing data on visitor experience and exploring the larger strategic questions facing AAMP. The course resulted in a publication incorporating situational analysis and recommendations for taking a new vision forward.
Through the Lenfest Center, consultant Makalé Faber Cullen also worked with Drexel students to produce a final Visitor Experiences report for AAMP.
Reinventing the News Media for Young Adults
Partnership with Philadelphia Media Network
(ENTP 1399, Close School of Entrepreneurship)
In 2015, the Lenfest Center sponsored this course with PMN (The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com). The course resulted in the creation of a pilot app for PMN, which has since served as the basis for many of the innovations the media company has launched to attract a broader audience base.
Heritage Tourism Initiative (Historic Philadelphia)
Partnership with Visit Philadelphia
(MBA consulting course, LeBow College of Business/Hospitality & Sport Management)
In 2015, supervised by two leaders in the fields of nonprofit consulting and hospitality, graduate students conducted research into best practices in heritage tourism, assessed itinerary and ticketing options, as well as visitor experience, hospitality and value.