Curiosity & Colonialism - Museum Tour by Uncomfortable Oxford™
Overview
Through critical discussions, it will explore how Oxford University and its museums were shaped in by imperialism in the name of curiosity, and how knowledge and science facilitated imperial power. Through this tour, we will ask the fundamental question - is curiosity always good?
The tour will explore both the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum, lasting 1.5hrs. The tour is fully accessible.
Tour recommended for children age 10 and up.
*Tour Itinerary:*
1 - Natural History Museum
2 - Pitt Rivers Museum
Inclusions
- Uncomfortable Oxford™ Trained Guide
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road South Kensington, London SW7 5BD England
The museum is the starting point for a number of colonial connections and will be the first stop on our tour.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road Suggested Time Taken 5 Adys, Oxford OX1 3PP England
Learn about the history of anthropology and the development of racialised categories for human societies.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Rhodes House, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RG England
We will stand outside the Rhodes Hoouse and discuss the impact of the Rhodes scholarship program on the university.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Oxford Martin School (University of Oxford), 34 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BD, UK
Stand outside the former Indian Intitute to learn about Oxford's role in educating imperial administrators and civil servants.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: New College, Holywell Street, Oxford OX1 3BN England
Explore the college connections to empire and how this fits into the larger networks of Oxford 'old boys' clubs.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Oxford Department of International Development, International Development, 3 Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3TB, UK
Finish the tour with a discussion of 'decolonisation' and its challenges.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
It never got too preachy, which is what I think many people are afraid of, specially when talking about these uncomfortable topics. It was always respectful, nice, and discussion based.
It never got too preachy, which is what I think many people are afraid of, specially when talking about these uncomfortable topics. It was always respectful, nice, and discussion based.An excellent discussion-based tour that challenges your preconceptions of Oxford's past while also enabling you to appreciate the city's beauty through a walking tour format. Our guide was wonderful - knowledgable, engaging and well balanced between probing discussion but also respectfully facili...
An excellent discussion-based tour that challenges your preconceptions of Oxford's past while also enabling you to appreciate the city's beauty through a walking tour format. Our guide was wonderful - knowledgable, engaging and well balanced between probing discussion but also respectfully facilitating discussion. The tour didn't feel like a lecture of either fact or opinion but was well mixed between revealing information and participant discussion. The discussions that are central to the tour are what really make the experience stand out as it really makes you engage with and think about what you are seeing, rather than just passively observing. I left feeling like my eyes had been opened and like I had a far deeper understanding of Oxford's true history, even as a lifelong resident of the city!very rich and informative - would strongly recommend an online tour, with great resources, a click through map and images, and well researched, presented, and interactive
very rich and informative - would strongly recommend an online tour, with great resources, a click through map and images, and well researched, presented, and interactiveI have learnt more in the three online "Uncomfortable Oxford" tours than I did in over 20 years living in Oxfordshire. The "tours" that I attended were Original Uncomfortable Tour, Getting Medieval Tour, Uncomfortable Literature Tour. All three presenters were very engaging and welcoming. They en...
I have learnt more in the three online "Uncomfortable Oxford" tours than I did in over 20 years living in Oxfordshire. The "tours" that I attended were Original Uncomfortable Tour, Getting Medieval Tour, Uncomfortable Literature Tour. All three presenters were very engaging and welcoming. They ensured that we learnt about the respective topic but also that the audience participated in a discussion of the many thought provoking insights uncovered during the tour. A must do for all who want to learn more about our beautiful city. I loved the 3D easy to use photo guide that they created for each tour. It really makes you feel as if you are walking around the city. I can't wait to attend in person post lockdown.My friends and I really enjoyed the tour. The guides were very knowledgeable and welcoming. They did an excellent job of creating an environment where everyone felt able to have difficult conversations about the side of Oxford that most don’t see.
My friends and I really enjoyed the tour. The guides were very knowledgeable and welcoming. They did an excellent job of creating an environment where everyone felt able to have difficult conversations about the side of Oxford that most don’t see.The online tour surpassed my expectations. The platform is intuitive, easy to navigate, and has fantastic 360 degree views of iconic scenes in Oxford. The graphics with factoids are thought provoking, and the spoken tour content even more so. Lunan, an Oxford grad who got up at a very early hour ...
The online tour surpassed my expectations. The platform is intuitive, easy to navigate, and has fantastic 360 degree views of iconic scenes in Oxford. The graphics with factoids are thought provoking, and the spoken tour content even more so. Lunan, an Oxford grad who got up at a very early hour to do the tour from afar, was knowledgeable, friendly, etc---everything you'd want from a tour guide. I would highly recommend.