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AY5010: MANAGING THE PAST: HERITAGE POLITICS AND PRACTICE (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:58


Course Overview

This course introduces students to the basic tenets of cultural heritage management at national and international level. Through the interdisciplinary lens of heritage studies, you will learn about the different political, social and economic meanings of heritage. Specific focus is placed on archaeological heritage, how its significance and stewardship has changed over time, and what policies and practices inform its management today. You will also learn about key challenges facing the sector.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Elisabeth Niklasson

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Cultural heritage is at once a concept, a set of monuments and traditions, and an instrument of governance. As a concept, it links together past and present, affecting how individuals and communities see themselves and their role in the world. As a set of monuments and traditions, it represents a curated legacy and responsibility, linked to specific practices of stewardship. As an instrument of governance, cultural heritage can be a means for making and breaking societies. Today it is part of economic- and cultural policies at state level and works as a bargaining tool in international relations. It is also a factor in war, acting as both trigger and target in global conflicts. Mirroring this versatility, cultural heritage management consists of multi-layered processes, involving laws, politics, people and hands-on practices.

In this course you will gain a broad understanding of the meanings and management of cultural heritage in the modern world and acquire in-depth knowledge about the archaeological heritage sector. In interactive classroom sessions that builds on relevant case studies and student facilitated discussions, you will examine when and why archaeological remains first became a political concern, how laws and regulations have changed over time, and what key conventions inform current practice at home and abroad. Through heritage management excursions and workshops with heritage experts, you will learn about- and become better prepared for the decisions, negotiations and contestations involved in cultural heritage processes. What does it take for an archaeological site to become recognised officially as cultural heritage? Why some ruins are selected for protection while others are forgotten? And who benefits from- or is hurt by cultural heritage processes? These issues will be addressed in the wider framework of World Heritage, tourism and development, nation building and conflict, and social inclusion and exclusion.

Examination consists of a combination of smaller written exercises and an end of term essay, resulting in a final archaeological heritage workshop.

Associated Costs

DescriptionValue
transport for 2 field trips40.0000

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 18 Feedback Weeks 20

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided after the presentation during the final workshop and individually 2 weeks after.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyLearn to distinguish between and classify different elements in cultural heritage processes
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the political aspects and multiplicity of meanings ascribed to cultural heritage.
ProceduralEvaluateLearn how to discuss, describe and assess major challenges and controversies facing contemporary heritage governance

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 18 Feedback Weeks 20

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided during the final workshop and individually 2 weeks after.

Word Count 5000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyLearn to distinguish between and classify different elements in cultural heritage processes
FactualRememberBecome familiar with the history, basic concepts and practices of cultural heritage management, with particular focus on archaeological heritage
FactualRememberGain knowledge of legislation, national policy documents and international conventions concerning archaeological heritage
ReflectionCreateLearn how to analytically address cultural heritage processes by independently researching and producing an essay on a particular case study

Portfolio

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 9,10,12,13,15 Feedback Weeks 9,10,12,13,15

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Feedback

5 memos, each 700 words will be handed in ahead of seminars and feedback will be provided during seminars

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the political aspects and multiplicity of meanings ascribed to cultural heritage.
FactualRememberGain knowledge of legislation, national policy documents and international conventions concerning archaeological heritage
FactualRememberBecome familiar with the history, basic concepts and practices of cultural heritage management, with particular focus on archaeological heritage
ProceduralEvaluateLearn how to discuss, describe and assess major challenges and controversies facing contemporary heritage governance

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberBecome familiar with the history, basic concepts and practices of cultural heritage management, with particular focus on archaeological heritage
ProceduralEvaluateLearn how to discuss, describe and assess major challenges and controversies facing contemporary heritage governance
FactualRememberGain knowledge of legislation, national policy documents and international conventions concerning archaeological heritage
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the political aspects and multiplicity of meanings ascribed to cultural heritage.
ConceptualApplyLearn to distinguish between and classify different elements in cultural heritage processes
ReflectionCreateLearn how to analytically address cultural heritage processes by independently researching and producing an essay on a particular case study

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