Cultural Heritage Management Practice

Overview

This module will provide students with a foundational understanding of key cultural heritage management approaches and practices. Based on international best-practice, guidance and policy, and practical exercises, it will explore both why and how cultural heritage assets (both tangible and intangible) are protected, conserved and managed and provide key skills for students interested in careers in cultural heritage management. The module will have both traditional lectures by QUB and external experts and practical weekly exercises. It will include a UK or Irish fieldtrip to explore specific themes and develop relevant fieldwork skills.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:

Understand the legislative framework for heritage management in Northern Ireland and internationally.

Identify and apply key international guidance and policy regarding heritage management, and understand how heritage engages with sustainable development.

Understand the key intersections between cultural heritage and global challenges including climate change and ecosystem loss, urbanisation and development and conflict.

Apply key heritage management approaches and techniques to sites and properties, using both desk-top review and fieldwork techniques.

Communicate effectively about the value of cultural heritage in society, both orally and in writing.

Skills

Upon completion of the module, student will be able to:

• Assess and inventory heritage sites based on their designations and significance, using a range of techniques including values-mapping and geospatial approaches.
• Draft a statement of significance for a site incorporating plural values of importance to diverse stakeholders.
• Write a public communications plan for a chosen site exploring both heritage and wider social values and wider narratives.
• Develop a high-level management plan for a site incorporating key elements including conservation approaches, visitor management and risk analysis.
• Assess high-level risk to cultural heritage, with a particular focus on climate change.

Assessment

Students must attend all lectures and practical sessions. They must also attend the residential fieldtrip.