Accessibility statement

Histories of Conservation - ARC00014M

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Ashley Lingle
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module introduces you to the background, concepts and principles of contemporary conservation practice and to the values-based approaches now commonly applied in managing conservation planning and decision-making. It encourages you to engage critically and creatively with conservation as professional practice in an inclusive and multicultural world - and to explore York’s rich urban heritage in considering use and reuse of historic buildings and the sustainable management of change.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims:

  • to introduce the key national and international principles and approaches in conservation of built heritage and the ethics and philosophies which underlie them
  • to provide an understanding of how conservation approaches and principles have developed and are applied in practice through designation and policy
  • to develop research, analytical and visual assessment skills for built heritage to understand significance and assessment of impact
  • to understand the importance of design within the reuse of built heritage at a site and area based scale

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • critically understand of how and why the concept of cultural heritage and its conservation has evolved and is applied in contemporary practice through designation and assessment of significance
  • demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the historical background to heritage conservation practices, the range of philosophical approaches and their relevance
  • critically evaluate the conservation plan approach and apply the processes of determining values and significance for built heritage
  • critically assess the impact of change on built heritage considering the role of design, materials and use

Module content

This module introduces you to the background, concepts and principles of contemporary conservation practice and to the values-based approaches now commonly applied in managing conservation planning and decision-making. It encourages you to engage critically and creatively with conservation as professional practice in an inclusive and multicultural world - and to explore York’s rich urban heritage in considering use and reuse of historic buildings and the sustainable management of change. We will consider the history and contemporary practice of conservation for built heritage, looking critically at how conservation has developed with changing ideas about material, intangible and socio-economic values of heritage.

You will critique and apply value-based approaches to conservation management using local building case studies. The English planning framework is used as a practice model for this work but you are encouraged to contextualise this with other national / international frameworks and principles and consider how these are reflected in global shifts in approaches to conservation. Through this module you will approach historic buildings and areas differently and develop a complex understanding of how conservation today is concerned with the sustainable management of change and engages with a diversity of heritage assets, actors, interpretations and audiences.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Heritage statement		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Heritage statement		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative: oral feedback from module leaders

Summative: written feedback within the University's turnaround policy

Indicative reading

Avrami, E, Macdonald, S, Mason, R and Myers, D. 2019. Values in Heritage Management: Emerging Approaches and Research Directions. Getty Conservation Institute.

Clark, K. 2019. Playing with the Past - Exploring Values in Heritage Practice. New York: Berghahn Books.

Kalman, H., & Létourneau, M.R. 2020. Heritage Planning: Principles and Process (2nd ed.). Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.