Plastic Collections and Preservation (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student knows how to identify plastics and is able to distinguish different types of plastics in museum collections and evaluate their condition. The student understands the specific environmental requirements of plastics and challenges of preservation of these materials and is able to make suggestions from the collection management viewpoint. The student is able to make risk assessment concerning plastics in collections and their effect on the collection preservation. The student is able to estimate the conditions of plastics and relevant conservation methods.

Content

Plastics in museum collection, identification and deterioration of plastics.
Collection management, documentation and risk assessments.
Preventive conservation and preservation and storage circumstances, conservation of plastics.

Location and time

The course takes place on Arabia campus.
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Degree Programme in Conservation's premises, Hämeentie 135 D.
During the study period, visits are made outside the campus.

Materials

Yvonne Shashoua, Conservation of plastics: material science, degradation and preservation.
Quye, Anita; Williamson, Colin, Plastics: collecting and conserving
Thea van Oosten (edit.), Properties of plastics: a guide for conservators

Teaching methods

Lectures, contact teaching, problem-based learning, guided assignments, independent assignments, independent work with literature.
Tuition is in Finnish.

Employer connections

Working life collaboration takes place through visits and/or visiting lecturers and professional discussions.

Completion alternatives

No option

Student workload

135 hours of students' work
The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 credits which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies. 40 hours is formed from approx. 17 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours is spent by independent literature survey or practical work. 1 credit is equivalent to 27 hours.

Further information

Attendance requirement 80 %.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student knows the basics of the course and understands the main ideas and relevance from the point of view of collection management. The student is aware of the challenges caused by plastics in collections but is not able to apply gained knowledge for collection management. The risk assessment, the evaluation of the effect of preservation circumstances and aging characteristics of plastics are week and data collection not sufficient. The student´s knowledge of preventive conservation and conservation methods is weak.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student masters the basics of the course and understands the main ideas and relevance from the point of view of collection management. The student is aware of the challenges caused by plastics in collections and is able to apply gained knowledge for collection management. The student understands the relevance of risk assessment and connection to the evaluation of preservation circumstances. The student is able to collect data independently and is able to apply methods of preventive conservation in collection management. The student is able to identify the need of urgent conservation measures.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student masters the course goals with excellence. The student shows excellence both in theory and practice and is able to apply gained knowledge and skills. The student understands the challenges of preservation of plastics and is able to apply his/her knowledge from the point of view of collection management. The student understands the relevance of risk assessment and the effect of preservation circumstances when evaluating the condition of a collection. The student is independently able to collect and analyze information and data. The student is able to apply methods of preventive conservation in collection management and identify the need of urgent conservation measures.

Assessment methods and criteria

Learning assignment 60 %, continuous assessment 40 %.
Assessment is based on continuous assessment of a student and attendance.
Learning journal and learning assignments.