Heritage Sector: understanding the past in Contemporary Society
Programme two, option two:
This module will introduce students to the concept of heritage and examines its various uses in contemporary society with a particular focus on the UK heritage sector.
Students will consider questions such as: What is heritage? Who owns heritage? How can we protect heritage? What is heritage for? Students will explore the following topics: the roles and functions of museums, galleries, and heritage organisations in society; the challenges of authenticity; the politics of representation, inclusivity, and cultural diversity; controversial, contested, and difficult heritage; and the potential, value, use, and application of digital technologies in communication and interpretation.
Learning outcomes
- An intellectual framework for understanding past, present, and future roles and challenges for museums, galleries and heritage institutions in the UK.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of developing written text for communicating with visitors/users.
- Understanding of the challenge of heritage interpretation and preservation in contemporary society.
- Awareness of the social role and responsibility of heritage institutions and the politics of representation, social inclusion and access.
Weekly topics and field work
The Western Canon
British Museum
Preservation and Conservation
Victoria and Albert Museum
Creativity and Display
Science Museum
Assessment
Presentation (50%)
Reflective Journal (30%)
Interpretive Exhibition (20%)
The course is worth 15 UK credits/ 7.5 ECTS, which translates to between 3 and 4 US credits. Please note it is your responsibility to check that your home institution will accept transfer of these credits back as part of your degree programme.
Indicative bibliography
Corsane, Gerard, Heritage, Museums and Galleries: An Introductory Reader
Harrison, Rodney, Understanding the politics of heritage
Hooper-Greenhill, Eilean, Museums and their Visitors
Benton, T. (ed.), Understanding Heritage and Memory
