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Issues in Cultural Heritage Conservation - ARC00015M

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Ashley Lingle
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module introduces the range of contemporary issues that impact on the historic environment both in the UK and internationally. This includes long-term threats including climate change, post conflict recovery, skills and training in the sector, alongside tourism and urban regeneration and the challenges of 20th century heritage. The module will consider the role of policy and practice in identifying threats and how creative and sustainable approaches are developing to address impacts.

Students have said they love the breadth of issues covered, the international and interdisciplinary scope and how the module encourages students to think much more widely about what we do and why.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

  • To introduce students to a range of contemporary issues in the conservation of cultural heritage in an international and national context

  • to critique the role of policy and changing practice in addressing those issues

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should:

  • be familiar with current international and UK concerns for the safeguarding of cultural heritage in relation to climate change, environmentally-aware practices and sustainable development

  • have a critical understanding of the principal policies, strategies and techniques employed to address those concerns

  • have an appreciation of contemporary conservation issues in approaches to urban regeneration, redevelopment of historic areas and post-war reconstruction

  • be able to evaluate these issues in a national context and in relation to the conservation and management of World Heritage Sites

  • have developed transferrable team working skills in group work and visual / verbal presentation

Module content

This module introduces the range of contemporary issues that impact on the sustainability of the historic environment both in the UK and internationally. The module will consider long-term threats, including climate change, post conflict recovery, skills and training in the sector, and challenges posed through tourism, urban regeneration and the broadening of heritage to include 20th century and more modern buildings.

The module will consider how these issues impact the conservation of cultural heritage using a wide range of examples including World Heritage sites. The module will consider the role of policy and practice in identifying threats and how creative and sustainable approaches are developing in the UK and internationally to address impacts and sustain heritage through the 21st century.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework - Issues in Cultural Heritage Conservation		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework - Issues in Cultural Heritage Conservation		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be available within 6 weeks

Indicative reading

Harvey, D & Perry J (eds). 2015. The Future of Heritage as Climates Change: Loss, Adaptation and Creativity. Routledge, Key Issues in Cultural Heritage Series.

Meskell, L. (2018). A future in ruins : UNESCO, world heritage, and the dream of peace. Oxford University Press.

Prizeman, O (2015) Sustainable Building Conservation: Theory and Practice of Responsive Design in the Heritage Environment London: RIBA.


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.