Module ARCH3601: Interpreting Heritage

Department: Archaeology

ARCH3601: Interpreting Heritage

Prerequisites

• 40 credits of Archaeology modules at Level 1.

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• to enhance students' knowledge of the archaeology, architecture and cultural heritage of another country.
• to enable students to understand ways of presenting digitally sites of an international significance, including major UNESCO world sites, such as the city of Rome.
• to develop critical skills in analysing the presentation of heritage.
• to reflect upon issues and themes in cultural heritage and archaeology.
• To understand the difficulties and issues in presenting a city with a long history of occupation.

Content

• Lectures to provide the context for the wider perspective on cultural heritage.
• Analysis of digital material created for the city of Rome.
• Understand and develop skills to present a UNESCO world heritage site to the public.
• Seminars to evaluate currently available digital material.
• Developing the capability to write a project to enhance the virtual presentation of a monument.

Learning Outcomes

• methods of presentation and interpretation of heritage virtually
• methods for evaluation of the presentation of heritage
• understanding of cultural, ethical and legal contexts for the presentation of heritage

• ability to collect appropriate evidence of heritage presentation
• an ability to evaluate the presentation of heritage in another country
• ability to produce a suitably illustrated report and reflection on heritage presentation

• cross-cultural awareness
• ability to observe and critically evaluate
• ability to use and combine a variety of information sources.

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

• The module will be taught by an introductory briefing session which will introduce students to the practical and academic aspects of the course. Lectures will provide information and case studies on the context, ethics and legal issues surrounding the virtual presentation of cultural heritage and its interpretation as well as methodologies and basic knowledge on presenting sites to the general public.
• The module is assessed through an evaluative report based on the student's observations during the trip which will also draw upon taught sessions on evaluation of heritage.
• The teaching in this module will be linked to the research of at least one member of staff leading the module, and students will investigate for themselves aspects of the presentation of heritage in that country.
• Lectures may consist of pre-recorded videos and/or live presentations from tutors, and integrate break-out discussions, study exercises and other learning activities as appropriate to the material covered from week to week.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Assignment (ideas to improve touristic experience) - 1500 words.

■ 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