Conservation Project II: Organic and Inorganic Materials (Conservation of Ethnographical Material), cont. Analytical Research Methods (10 cr)

Objective

- The student will adopt an investigative approach to the care, conservation and documentation of objects.
- The student will be able to draft a description, condition estimate, conservation plan and conservation report of an object, and make a written, graphic, and pictorial documentation of the examined object.
- The student will identify the speciality and integrity of ethnographical textiles and other objects by indigenous people and the context associated to those.
- The student will be able to take into account the integrity and context of ethnographic textiles and other objects, and their effect on conservation treatment.
- The student will be able to identify several meanings associated to objects by indigenous people, and she/he will be able to apply her/his knowledge in conservation as well as plan the treatments according to the material group.
- The student will understand the interaction of different materials and their deterioration mechanism as well as the risks associated to their conservation.
- The student will be able to apply the previous knowledge in practical conservation work.
- The students will master several conservation methods and materials, and she/he will be able to implement conservation independently.

Content

- Degradation of materials and objects, and preventive conservation
- Deepening and development of one’s expertise
- Practical conservation work
- Written and pictorial documentation of the object
- Deterioration and damages associated to ethnographical textiles and other objects made of organic material, and the basics of their conservation methods
- Several meanings associated to the objects by indigenous people, their nature and the effect on conservation treatment
- Ethical issues related to conservation of objects by indigenous people and other ethnographic objects
- Application of the previously learned conservation methods in practical conservation work.
- Independent practical conservation
- Deepening of one’s expertise both manually and theoretically

Location and time

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Hämeentie 135 D, Degree Programme in Conservation's premises.

Materials

Literature list and study hand-outs given by the lecturer before the course start and during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, contact teaching, problem based learning, guided assignments, work assignments, independent work with literature.

Employer connections

Working life collaboration takes place through visits and/or visiting lectures and professional discussions. Objects for the study modules will be acquired through museums, institutions and private clients.

The study module will be implemented in cooperation with a local museum or another museum.

Exam schedules

No exam.

Completion alternatives

No other course will replace this course.

Student workload

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies. 40 hours is formed from approx. 15 - 20 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours is spent by independent literature survey or practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 27 hours (h).

Further information

The course is implemented as a project-based learning. The starting point is learning through practical work. Student her-/himself has a role as an investigative learner.

During the study module the student should read up on the given literature together with practical work and give a PowerPoint presentation on a given subject.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student has a lot of absences from the teaching sessions. Activity during the teaching sessions and learning assignments is unsatisfactory. The student should improve her/his group working skills. The student can grasp the basic ideas of the subject, but the problem solving is limited and ability to apply theory to a practical work requires development. The student does not work independently and there is a lot of need for teacher’s further guidance. The student has not given a requisite amount of attention for the subject and the learning result is fragmented. The student needs to develop her/his skills and knowledge in many areas. The student needs a lot of training in her/his manual skills and techniques.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has taken part to all teaching sessions and learning assignments and the activity during the course is good. The student acts flexibly as a group member. Work progresses consistently during the study period. The student understands the basic ideas of the course and can apply theoretical studies in practical work. The student understands the importance of the things to be learned for the professional field and the related cause and effect relationships. The student’s work has been sufficiently independent, but there is still need for guidance. The student manages the set of tasks and has achieved a good level at her/his skills and knowledge. The student has achieved good manual skills and techniques required in conservation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The course objectives have been achieved in a competent manner. The student has participated actively and constructively in the teaching and learning assignments. The student has acted as group member encouragingly and strengthening teamwork. The student understands the things taught in the course commendably and can apply what she/he has learned in accordance with the requirements of her/his professional field. The student understands and knows to anticipate the cause-and-effect relationships of the activities related to the matters to her/his professional field.
The student’s work has been sufficiently independent. The student masters the whole subject both in theory and practice. The student has achieved an excellent level in her/his skills and knowledge. The student has excellent manual skills and techniques required in conservation.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student has a lot of absences from the teaching sessions. Activity during the teaching sessions and learning assignments is unsatisfactory. The student should improve her/his group working skills. The student can grasp the basic ideas of the subject, but the problem solving is limited and ability to apply theory to a practical work requires development. The student does not work independently and there is a lot of need for teacher’s further guidance. The student has not given a requisite amount of attention for the subject and the learning result is fragmented. The student needs to develop her/his skills and knowledge in many areas. The student needs a lot of training in her/his manual skills and techniques.

Assessment methods and criteria

Learning assignment 70 %, continuous assessment 30 %.
Assessment is based on continuous assessment of a student, attendance, practical conservation work and its assessment. Each student is assessed from the starting point of her/his abilities, and how she/he will develop her/his abilities during the course. All given assignments mus be done according to given instructions. Self assessment and peer review.

MInimum 80 % presence of contact studies must fulfill.

Qualifications

Textile Materials, Techniques and Fibre Identification 5 cr, Chemistry I 5 cr, Chemistry I/cont. 5 cr, Chemistry II 5 cr, Stitching Techniques in Textile Conservation 5 cr, Dyeing and Colour Theory 5 cr, Cleaning Methods in Textile Conservation I 5 cr, Cleaning Methods in Textile Conservation II 5 cr, Adhesives used in Conservation 5 cr, Organic and Inorganic Materials 5 cr

Further information

The course is implemented as a project-based learning. The starting point is learning through practical work. Student her-/himself has a role as an investigative learner.

Further information

The course is implemented as a project-based learning. The starting point is learning through practical work. Student her-/himself has a role as an investigative learner.