Module ARCH54930: Care of Collections

Department: Archaeology

ARCH54930: Care of Collections

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enable students to gain a working knowledge of key issues in collections care relevant to the effective curation of collections;
• To acquire a detailed understanding of decay factors in the museum environment that affect the storage and display of museum artefacts;
• To acquire an understanding of the theory and practice of preventive conservation techniques, including environmental monitoring and control, and collection condition survey.

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 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