VA7057 - Collections Care II: Global Issues in Heritage Preservation

Students will engage with this module through diverse learning and teaching approaches that emphasize critical analysis and real-world application. The learning experience centres on examining preventive conservation's role within international decolonisation and repatriation protocols and indigenous rights frameworks, developing students' understanding through comprehensive case study analysis from diverse global communities.



The module employs a case study methodology to explore colonial legacies in museum collections, enabling students to critically evaluate legal and ethical frameworks governing object return and collaborative heritage management. This approach allows students to engage directly with complex, real-world scenarios while developing analytical skills essential for professional practice.



Students will learn through examination of cross-cultural conservation strategies, focusing on values-based ethics in museum contexts. The curriculum addresses sensitive handling of culturally significant objects by exploring different cultural perspectives on storage, display, community access and handling practices. This comparative approach deepens understanding of current ethical thinking in heritage conservation theory and its practical applications.



The learning experience incorporates study of international legal frameworks for cultural property protection, providing students with essential knowledge for navigating complex heritage management situations. Students will explore strategic planning methodologies for protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones, developing skills applicable to crisis management scenarios.



The module then moves to consider the impact of climate change on the care and storage of collections, with students examining sustainable heritage care methodologies and their implementation in various contexts. This comprehensive approach ensures students develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary for addressing contemporary challenges in global heritage preservation across cultures, preparing them to work effectively across diverse cultural and professional environments.

Academic support is provided through multiple structured channels to ensure your success throughout the experience:



Support is centred around comprehensive guidance from your module tutor, ensuring you succeed in mastering both the essential principles in professional practice in heritage preservation.



Module Tutor Guidance: Your module tutor serves as your primary academic mentor throughout the learning journey, providing expert knowledge in collections care and preventive conservation. They offer personalized support for understanding theoretical concepts, interpreting scholarly information, and developing your analytical skills. Regular communication channels ensure you can access guidance when navigating challenging topics or technical procedures.



Structured Learning Support: The sequential nature of weekly topics allows for progressive skill building, with your tutor monitoring your development through formative knowledge checks. These assessments provide early identification of any learning gaps, enabling targeted support before concepts become more complex.

Practical Guidance: Your tutor provides comprehensive guidance how to study at level 7 and use the electronic learning platform , ensuring you can effectively navigate the system, interpret and critically analyse what you read, and extract meaningful insights for your assignments.



Assignment Development Support: For written assignment, your tutor offers guidance on research methodology, writing standards, and data interpretation approaches. They help you connect theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring your work meets academic standards while demonstrating professional competency.



Feedback: Written feedback on formative assessments ensures continuous improvement and academic development, with your tutor providing constructive guidance to enhance your understanding and analytical capabilities.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

Critically evaluate and apply adaptive preservation strategies suited to diverse environmental, cultural, and socio-political contexts, including areas affected by climate change, conflict and limited infrastructure.

Design, implement, and assess effective, context-sensitive policies and procedures for the preventive conservation and long-term care of movable cultural heritage across global settings.

Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of cultural complexity in heritage preservation, recognising how differing worldviews, value systems, and historical legacies shape approaches to collections care.





Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:



Engage in advanced critical thinking and reflective practice to interrogate global conservation ethics, including the evolving responsibilities of preventive conservators working across diverse cultural and institutional frameworks.

Work independently and collaboratively to synthesise a broad range of interdisciplinary knowledge, using it to devise and implement informed, contextually appropriate strategies for the care of heritage collections.

Take ownership of personal and academic development through independent research, peer and tutor engagement, effective use of digital and academic resources, and by integrating feedback to enhance both written work and professional practice.





Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):



Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, integrity, and ethical awareness in addressing real-world challenges in collections care, with sensitivity to professional responsibilities and the perspectives of diverse communities.

Exhibit intercultural competence and global awareness, recognising how cultural difference, climate change, colonial legacies, and socio-political conflict influence decision-making and ethical practice in heritage preservation.

Formative

Formative assessment will take place via your participation in several group seminars throughout the module. You will be assessed on your contribution to online group discussions via the module discussion board



Summative Assessment
1. A 2000 word Reflective Journal: A critical, reflective summary of the module topics (30% of the module mark) (1,3,4,5,6)



2. A 3000 word written assignment covering the themes of the module and submitted to Turnitin. 70% of the module mark

VA7056

N/A

In this dynamic, research-led module, you will explore preventive conservation through a global, culturally informed lens, investigating how movable heritage is preserved and cared for across diverse environmental, political, and social contexts. Delivered entirely online, this flexible distance learning experience offers direct engagement with international heritage professionals and case studies from leading museums, libraries, and indigenous communities worldwide.

You will examine urgent global challenges, including climate change, conflict, and sustainability, while developing critical skills in ethical decision-making, strategic collections care, and cultural competency. Emphasis is placed on understanding power dynamics in heritage work and on empowering students to apply conservation principles in both Western and non-Western contexts.

Assessment through a reflective, research-based essay is supported by detailed, constructive feedback. Designed to enhance your understanding of global heritage preservation and your employability, this module equips you with the intellectual tools, professional strategies, and global awareness necessary to thrive in modern preventive conservation roles demanding cultural sensitivity, ethical judgement, and adaptive, forward-thinking conservation practice.