Module ARCH54930: Care of Collections

Department: Archaeology

ARCH54930: Care of Collections

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

Content

• In this module students acquire a detailed understanding of decay factors in the musuem environment affecting the storage and display of museum artefacts. They also gain an understanding of the theory and practice of preventative conservation techniques, including environmental monitoring and control and collection condition survey.

Learning Outcomes

• The range of preservation and decay factors in the museum environment affecting the storage and display of museum artefacts.
• Key issues in collections care relevant to the effective curation of collections, including the theory and practice of preventive conservation.

• Observe, identify, monitor, record, evaluate critically and report (in written and graphic form) the nature, environmental protection and condition of, and possible risks to, stored collections of artefacts, using appropriate methods carefully, safely and accurately, and consider a range of potential conservation options for them.

• Use computer and information technology (e.g. word processing, databases, graphing and image processing).
• Access library, museum, archive and World Wide Web resources.
• Undertake advanced independent study, research and problem solving.
• Communicate information and arguments effectively, in written, visual and computerised form, to specialist audiences.
• Take responsibility for personal, professional and ethical development within the museum and cultural heritage sector or within academia, responding actively to critical feedback.
• Assess relevant insurance and health and safety risks in the work-place, and comply with appropriate procedures.
• Manage time effectively, working to time-tables and meeting deadlines.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS
• Lectures, comprising concise, accessible and interesting oral and visual presentations of key information, by tutors to the full programme cohort of students, supported by the extensive programme bibliography and summaries posted on the Durham University On-Line (DUO) intranet. Lectures enable learners to gain a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the full range of subject-specific knowledge.
• 1 Seminar, comprising structured oral and visual presentations and discussions of well-defined topics, by individual or groups of students to the rest of the full programme cohort and facilitated by tutors, supported by the programme bibliography and summaries posted on DUO. Seminars enable learners to deepen their knowledge and critical understanding of a wide range of subject-specific knowledge, to enhance subject-specific skills in working with museum- and artefact-related research information, and to enhance key skills in the use of computer and information technology, accessing information resources, undertaking advanced independent study, participating responsibly in team work, communicating effectively, and managing time effectively.
• Practical classes, involving demonstrations and hands-on exercises, using materials, techniques and facilities relevant to museum and artefact studies, undertaken in smaller sized student groups, with personal tuition from professionally trained and experienced tutors, and supported by resources posted on DUO where appropriate. Practical classes enable learners to gain direct experience and competence in a wide range of subject-specific skills pertaining to museum and artefact-based work, and in key skills involving computer and information technology.
• Self-guided learning, comprising personal and group-based study, research, revision, problem-solving and evaluation associated with classes and assignments. Self-guided learning enables students to increase their knowledge and critical understanding of the full range of subject-specific knowledge, and to gain experience and competence in the full range of subject-specific skills and key skills.
• ASSESSMENT METHODS
• 1 Examination, through an unseen paper, under timed conditions, requiring written essays on care of collections. The Examinations likewise ensure demonstration of the achievement of a sound knowledge and critical understanding of a range of subject-specific knowledge relating to museums, the museum environment and care of collections, and the achievement of direct experience and competence in the key skills of communicating and managing time effectively.
• 1 Report, comprising concise and structured 3000-word knowledgeable and critical written documentations and discussions of aspects of the museum environment, accompanied by appropriate data and illustrations. The Reports ensure demonstration of the achievement of a sound knowledge and critical understanding of a range of subject-specific knowledge relating to artefact studies and collections care, the achievement of direct experience and competence in subject-specific skills relating to artefact studies and collections care, and the achievement of direct experience and competence in a range of key skills. The Reports ensure demonstration of the achievement of a sound knowledge and critical understanding of a range of subject-specific knowledge relating to artefact studies and collections care, the achievement of direct experience and competence in subject-specific skills relating to artefact studies and collections care, and the achievement of direct experience and competence in a range of key skills. Formative assessment, accompanied by written feedback from tutors, is regarded as an integral part of the learning process. It helps learners to consolidate knowledge and understanding and to explore and develop subject-specific and key skills. A range of formative assignments therefore precede a selection of summative assignments on all modules within the programme. These relate to specific learning outcomes, as well as a few additional learning outcomes not assessed summatively. The formative assignments include:
• A Test, which helps to consolidate knowledge and understanding of preservation and decay factors in the museum environment.
• 1 Essay, comprising 2500-word knowledgeable and critical written discussions of a given topics in care of collections. The Essays ensure demonstration of the achievement of a sound knowledge and critical understanding of a range of subject-specific knowledge relating to museums, the achievement of direct experience and competence in the subject-specific skill of working with museum- and artefact-related research information, and the achievement of a range of key skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Test on technical understanding relating to envionrmental monitoring. 2,500 word essay assesing museum care of collections.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University