VA7055 - Collections Care II: Global Issues in Heritage Preservation

In keeping with the ethos of the programme the learning is entirely led by you and you can progress through the online learning materials in your own time and at your own pace. rather than by following a series of lectures. You will also learn by carrying out a challenging written assignment, designed to build on what you have learnt through the semester and to meet the learning outcomes for the module. There is an opportunity to engage with one or more formative exercises during a number of live seminars with your tutor. The feedback you will receive on your summative assignment will also guide your learning through subsequent modules. You will also be presented with recorded lectures on a diverse range of subjects that will present real world case studies from which you can extract meaningful information toward the module learning outcomes.

While the learning is largely self-led via your independent progress through the online learning materials, you will be fully supported academically by your module tutor, programme leader and other academic staff in a number of ways:

Induction
Induction week introduces you to the module and resources available which support your independent learning. You will also receive a module guide which offer information on specific details relating to assignment and submission dates.

Seminars and individual tutorials
Seminar sessions with your module tutor which will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions, discuss assessment criteria, development analytical, communication and other subject-specific skills, and receive ongoing feedback. Your regular attendance will also enable you to speak to tutors on a more informal basis about the progress of your work. These unscheduled conversations are often a useful time to discuss a practical problems and queries, or simply to check in on your progress.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):
1. Understand adaptive preservation strategies for diverse environmental conditions and strategic planning for collections in challenging contexts.
2. Understand, develop and implement appropriate practical strategies, policies and procedures for the care and preventive conservation of items/collections of movable cultural heritage in a global context.

3. Develop an understanding of cultural complexity in heritage preservation.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Advanced critical thinking and reflective practice in global conservation ethics with a nuanced understanding of the role of the preventive conservator in a global context.
5. Ability to work in an independent pro-active manner that draws upon and synthesises a wide range of knowledge and understanding in order to develop and implement appropriate strategies for the care and preventive conservation of items/collections of movable cultural heritage
6. Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for your own learning by: selecting the knowledge required to complete assignments from resources available on the elp; identifying appropriate additional resources of knowledge; working on independent and group projects; considering the views of tutors and peers in the development or enhancement of your own work; making constructive use of feedback; determining the focus for the dissertation;

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
7. Demonstrate enthusiasm, curiosity, integrity, ethical and professional awareness in all aspects of work, communication and engagement with others

6. Demonstrate intercultural knowledge, and awareness of the global impact of conflict, climate change and other issues on collections care and in ethical decision making in heritage preservation.

Summative Assessment

A 5000 word written assignment covering the themes of the module and submitted to Turnitin. See Module Assessment Brief for further details.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will take place via your participation in several group seminars throughout the module. You will be assessed on your contribution to online group discussions via the module discussion board.

Module Learning Outcomes addressed:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

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This innovative module explores the complex global dimensions of preventive conservation, preparing students to address critical challenges in heritage preservation, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable management of cultural collections worldwide. The course critically examines conservation practices through intersectional, ethical, and international perspectives.