This course will introduce and examine the principles underlying the practices of cultural heritage and museum management. It introduces students to the historical, political, institutional and cultural frameworks for contemporary heritage and museum practice in Australia and internationally. The first half of the course focuses on heritage practices, the second on understanding the frameworks regulating museum practices. Topics covered by the course will include the identification of the range and nature of cultural heritage in Australia, an examination of the history of museum development and collecting practices, the basic policy and legislative frameworks (Federal and State) governing the protection of cultural heritage; the principles and processes of heritage conservation planning; the role of archaeology and other areas of expertise in heritage conservation, curation and planning, the practices of documenting heritage values. The course will also consider the ethical issues that underpin heritage and museum conservation and interpretation.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. evaluate the historical, political, institutional and cultural frameworks for contemporary heritage and museum practice in Australia and internationally;
2. critique heritage and museum policies and legal frameworks relevant to the practice of heritage and museum management;
3. critically analyse the principles of conservation and management;
4. critically analyse a range of ethical and political issues that underpin heritage and museum management; and
5. apply critical theory to the development of your own professional-standard practice document.

Research-Led Teaching

Yes - oral history and migration heritage

Field Trips

There are three field trips for this course (all in Canberra). Due to COVID-19 these field trips are not compulsory for students completing the course remotely.

Additional Course Costs

The field trip to Mugga Mugga cost $9 per student, which is due on the day of the field trip.

 

Students will need to find their own way to the sites for the field trips (AWM, Lanyon, and Mt Stromlo). You may need to pay parking fees at some sites. Students may also visit a site of their choice for their significance assessment assignment.

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Australia ICOMOS. 2013. The Burra Charter, including new Practice Notes can be downloaded at: http://australia.icomos.org/publications/charters/; also available as: Australia ICOMOS. 2004. The Illustrated Burra Charter: Good practices for heritage places, Australia ICOMOS, Melbourne. 

Recommended Resources

• Australia ICOMOS. 2013. The Burra Charter, including new Practice Notes can be downloaded at: http://australia.icomos.org/publications/charters/; also available as: Australia ICOMOS. 2004. The Illustrated Burra Charter: Good practices for heritage places, Australia ICOMOS, Melbourne.
• Australian Government Department of Environment Australian Heritage Strategy website at http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/australianheritagestrategy/pastconsultation/australian-heritage-strategy. Read the most relevant of the ten essays on key issues facing the heritage sector, as they relate to the topics we will be examining each week.
• Smith, G. S., Messenger, P.M. and Soderland, H.A. (2010). Heritage Values in Contemporary Society, Left Coast Press, California.
• Australia ICOMOS. 20 October 2017. National Scientific Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage, Practice Note on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Place.
• Pearson, M. and Sullivan, S. (1995) Looking after Heritage Places. The basics of heritage planning for managers, landowners and administrators, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. This book is out of print but selected chapters are available on electronic reserve

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on essays and other written assignments
• Comments to individuals during student consolation times
• Verbal comments during seminar sessions

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	An Introduction to Cultural Heritage - We will examine how heritage is produced by governments, communities and experts for different purposes. We will also critically evaluate the use of charters and doctrine in global heritage practice.
2	Who Owns Heritage? - We will examine how heritage is produced by governments, communities and experts for different purposes. We will also critically evaluate the use of charters and doctrine in global heritage practice.
3	Determining Significance - We will critically evaluate heritage values and meaning in different social and political contexts. We will also explore the Burra Charter processes for significance assessment.
4	Documenting Heritage Values: Practical - In this site-based practical we will develop practical skills in identifying and assessing heritage significance. We will also reflect on best practice and the issues and challenges in achieving this.?	Online alternatives to site visits will be available for all students studying remotely
5	Conservation Management Planning: Principles - We will explore the role of cultural heritage management planning in current heritage practice. ?
6	Conservation Management Planning: Practice - In this site-based practical we will analyse how values-based heritage management works and the role of cultural heritage management plans.	Online alternatives to site visits will be available for all students studying remotely
7	Intangible Heritage, Community and Ethics - We will explore community engagement with heritage on a local, national and international level, and ways in which discussions around intangible heritage are changing the way we frame and facilitate community engagement. We will also look at the ethics of heritage practice in Australia.
8	Working with Heritage Legislation - We will critically examine the role of Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).
9	Oral History Methods and Public History Projects - We will explore the implications of oral history for heritage identification, interpretation and management—and embedding oral history in heritage practice to create new meanings.
10	Indigenous Heritage and World Heritage - This class will focus on the unique issues faced in Indigenous heritage management.
11	Heritage Interpretation and Visitor Experience - In this site-based practical we will discuss and analyse how CMAG staff use different media, voices and sensory experiences to interpret and present a range of heritage values and meanings to their visitors. We will reflect on the visitor experience and how it may influence ideas of cultural identity and history.	Online alternatives to site visits will be available for all students studying remotely
12	Future Directions and Course Summary	Student Presentations

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Worksheet #1	15 %	22/03/2020	06/04/2020	1, 3, 4
Worksheet #2	15 %	26/04/2020	11/05/2020	1, 3, 4
Significance Assessment	50 %	03/06/2020	17/06/2020	1, 2, 3, 4
Presentation	20 %	31/05/2020	15/06/2020	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Worksheet #1

You are expected to complete the worksheet provided on WATTLE. The questions are based on the readings, lectures and tutorial discussions from Weeks 1 to 4. The value of each question/answer is clearly marked on the worksheet.

Assessment Task 2

Worksheet #2

You are expected to complete the worksheet provided on WATTLE. The questions are based on the readings, lectures and tutorial discussions from Weeks 5 to 7. The value of each question/answer is clearly marked on the worksheet.

Assessment Task 3

Significance Assessment

4000 words

The aim of this project is to highlight the process of significance assessment. It will allow you to experience the process of researching, documenting, and assessing heritage places. You will need to have a thorough understanding of your heritage area in order to assess its significance alongside of other heritage areas.

There are many guides and case studies to assist you in understanding the significance assessment process (see WATTLE site).

What is significance?

Significance means the importance and meaning we place on a landscape, site, building, object, collection (or other) in the past, now and in the future. Significance is not absolute but neither is it subjective. Different people value different things at different times in their lives. Values can be can be personal, family, community, national and/or international. Significance can be assessed in relation to many areas but particularly: historic, aesthetic, scientific, social, and other.

While anyone can assess significance, it is often an area for specialists and professionals who understand the wider heritage industry – guidelines, assessment criteria (locally, nationally and internationally) – and can judge significance based on their experience. However, it cannot be done in isolation from community values, perspectives and knowledge. You will need to include a plan of how you will work with relevant communities and stakeholders (plan only, you do not need to undertake the consultation).

What should I assess the significance of?

You need to be able to access information on the place you are assessing, so for most people it will be easiest to select somewhere or something in Canberra. You may also need to take photographs if no others are available via the Internet or previous reports. Choose somewhere that interests you.

How should my assignment be formatted?

Your assignment should look like a professional report. Some states and territories have templates for heritage assessments (such as the Northern Territory); others may outline what they expect to be in the report but not the order. This is not an essay but an industrystandard report.

Assessment Rubric

In this task you will be evaluated on the basis of the extent to which you have (a) effectively understood and met the key criteria for developing a significance assessment, (b) planned how you will work with relevant communities and stakeholders (c) developed the report according to the guidelines and professional standards, (d) skill in expression and language.

Assessment Task 4

Presentation

5 minutes

You must present the findings from your significance assessment to the class in the final week of the topic. You will only have five minutes to present and time limits will be strictly enforced. You will also need to submit the Powerpoint presentation for your talk via WATTLE.

Assessment Rubrics

Your class lecturer will grade your presentation. You will be graded on your ability to communicate the key aspects of your significance assessment clearly and within the strict 5 minute timeframe. Please remember that the findings of your assessment are the most important aspect so allocate your time accordingly (i.e. don’t spend four minutes on history and 1 minute rushing through the assessment outcomes).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assessment will be marked and returned via TurnItIn (please check the ‘Feedback Summary’ section).

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students