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Heritage Sector: Understanding the Past in Contemporary Society

Heritage Sector: Understanding the Past in Contemporary Society

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.

Victoria and Albert Museum

  • 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.

The Western Canon
British Museum
 
Preservation and Conservation
Victoria and Albert Museum
 
Creativity and Display
Science Museum

British Museum

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.

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 

Democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law: from Magna Carta to Brexit Victorian England: history, literature and the arts Theatre in London: Shakespeare to the contemporary scene Questions and more information

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