3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This course provides a detailed introduction to and assessment of the recognition, description, evaluation, and management of cultural heritage resources. The focus is on professional practice in the United States, but many of the basic activities, policies, and laws have parallels in other countries. Mainly, this course is about tangible heritage resources, such as archaeological sites, historic structures, museum collections and archives, traditional cultural properties, and cultural and historical landscapes. However, some attention is given to intangible cultural heritage in assigned readings. Students interested in intangible heritage may focus on such in the course paper in consultation with the instructor. Students will evaluate the different values that heritage resources have in general and for specific stakeholder communities. Class sessions cover the historical, legal, and regulatory background of heritage management; heritage resource management in private and public organizations at local, tribal, state, and federal levels; professional practice in various kinds of heritage resource management organizations; the values that heritage resources may hold; methods for assessing the condition of heritage resources; how conservation, development, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, and protection treatments are applied; how modern technology is used in managing heritage resources; the challenges for the long-term, sustainability of heritage resources management; the ways in which heritage resources are interpreted for public audiences; professional ethical guidelines in heritage management; and, likely developments impacting the management of heritage resources in the future. In the course, students will develop a major individual written project that can also serve as a professional tool for each participant to use to advance their career objectives.