This seminar looks at the history of collecting, particularly the collecting of art and design objects. Who collected? What did they collect? Why did they collect? How were collections displayed? From distinctive, private collections in Early Modern Europe to the establishment in the 18th and 19th century of major public collections, such as the British Museum, the Louvre, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this course will investigate how collections took shape, functioned as markers of prestige, and opened windows to studying an increasingly global world and diverse cultures. The processes of collecting – how works were acquired and the ownership history of those objects -- have gained attention in recent years and this course will consider current questions of provenance research and issues of ethical ownership. Students will engage in a research project related to historical collecting, collectors, and museums with a class presentation and research paper. Special emphasis will be placed on New York museums and collections with class visits and guest lectures.