Approaches to Preservation Technology

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours.

Admission to the Master of Design 234AA.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

An introduction to current thinking and techniques related to cross-cultural approaches to preservation technologies. It will survey the philosophies behind cross-cultural approaches to documentation, measurement, recording, and interpretation/evaluation when researching a diverse array of heritage sites. It will explore specific methods in the repair, conservation, and management of buildings, landscapes, and places in diverse social, cultural, and geographical settings. An understanding of different cultural approaches to materials and preservation technologies in the conservation of buildings and places across different parts of the world, including exposure to practices with Indigenous people and on Indigenous sites, both in Australia and internationally. It will examine the differing notions and international, regional, and national frameworks for understanding approaches and management of cultural heritage across a number of case studies, from North America and Europe to China, SE Asia, and the Indian subcontinent and the issues related to working within multicultural settings. It will develop skills required when working in cross-cultural settings in the documentary and physical investigation of buildings, places, and landscapes.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• an understanding of the various ways in which approaches to technologies associated with conservation and cultural heritage differ between cultures, and across nations and regions;
• an understanding of current cross-cultural practices in applying preservation technologies to the conservation and interpretation of cultural heritage;
• an ability to diagnose appropriate techniques in the heritage assessment of a building or place located or managed within a cross-cultural environment, and have sensitivity to local and cultural concerns;
• an understanding and working knowledge of preservation and interpretation technologies applicable to cross-cultural settings.

Exercises and seminar/research paper (written, drawn, or digital) to the equivalent of not more than 5,000 words.

P Daly & T Winter (eds), Routledge Handbook of Heritage in Asia, London 2012.

A Lance, Environmental Procedures for the Management of Aboriginal Heritage Sites: a Handbook for Staff and Contractors, Adelaide 1998.

W Logan & K Reeves (eds), Places of Pain and Shame: Dealing with ‘Difficult Heritage’, London 2009.

K Taylor & J Lennon (eds), Managing Cultural Landscapes, London 2012.

E Vines, Streetwise Asia: a Practical Guide for the Conservation and Revitalization of Heritage Cities and Towns in Asia, Bangkok 2005.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• working knowledge and appreciation of cross-cultural approaches to the documentation and physical investigation of buildings, landscapes, and places;
• working knowledge and appreciation of cross-cultural approaches to the application of preservation and interpretation technologies to buildings, landscapes, and places;
• experience in the diagnosis of appropriate approaches to preservation technology related to conservation and cultural heritage in a cross-cultural setting.