Our Material Past – The Knowledge Reserve Carried in Objects

Objective

The course is an introduction to the field of conservation and lectures focus on our material past. At the end of the course, students will have formed an idea of the content of museum work, especially the nature of conservation as a so-called ”bridge science”, which combines elements from other scientific fields, such as the humanities and natural sciences.

Content

The course is possible to complete it entirely following the online curriculum. There are 18 short on-line lectures and after each one there is an assignment. By listening the lectures and completing the assignments, students are able to proceed to the next lecture and assignment. All lectures must be listened to and assignments completed in the given order. At the end of the course there is a larger assignment; instructions for this will be given on the Moodle pages.

1. Introduction
2. Context, part 1. Our own context: heritage and museology
3. Context, part 2. Our own context: conservation
4. Material Research – Chemistry as part of culture
5. Conservation Prespective – Paintings conservation, parts a and b
6. Meaning of Provenance
7. Conservation Prespective – Paper conservation
8. Conservation Prespective – Textile conservation
9. Archeological Prespective
10. Tacit Knowledge as Part of Collection Work in Museums
11. Value Discussion: Justification of our actions
12. Value Discussion: Museum context
13. Value Discussion: Interviews 2018
14. Value Discussion: Museological value discussion
15. Impact of Collection Work
16. A Question of Disposals
17. Impact Path as an Example – Suviranta
18. Widening our Perspectives

Qualifications

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Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to outline the main basic concepts of the course topic and knows the related theory at a basic level. The student masters the basics of the course and understands its main content. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire information independently.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has a good understanding of the basic ideas and concepts of the course topic. The student demonstrates good theoretical and applied knowledge. The student is able to justify choices made, and the practical application proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student masters the whole, both in theory and practice, and has achieved a good level of knowledge and skills. The work has been sufficiently independent. The student is able to acquire information independently and is able to critically analyse this information.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student masters the subject and has achieved an excellent level of knowledge and skills. The student demonstrates excellent theoretical and applied knowledge and is able to apply well the learned material. The student is able to work largely independently on both written and skill-based assignments. The student is able to acquire information independently and to analyse and apply thisinformation. The student participates in the discussion with arguments that utilize the concepts of the field. The student is able to justify choices made, and practical application proceeds consistently, in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student works consistently and independently, showing initiative and creativity.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to outline the main basic concepts of the course topic and knows the related theory at a basic level. The student masters the basics of the course and understands its main contents. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire information independently.