Introduction to Conservation (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

- The student will be able to form a holistic picture of the field of cultural heritage and she/he knows cultural heritage as concept and understands the significance of cultural heritage.
- The student will understand conservation being a part of the care and preservation of the cultural heritage.
- The student will understand conservation being a significant part of sustainable development
- The student will know the working field and the role of a conservator in the preservation of cultural heritage.
- The student will understand the significance and elementary role of memory organizations.
- The student will know the essential laws, acts and statutes that regulate cultural heritage and conservation both at the national and international level.
- The student will know the ethical codes and guidelines of conservation, and adopts conservator’s professional ethics.
- The student will know the national and international cultural heritage and memory organizations as well as conservation organizations and their working methods, principles, and publications.
- The student will identify both intangible and material cultural heritage.
- The student will have the knowledge and understanding of the basic conservation materials, their properties, techniques, and applications common to all fields of conservation.
- The student will know where to purchase various conservation materials, tools and equipment.
- The student will know the basic equipment used in conservation and is able to use those accordingly.

Content

- The role and the profession of a conservator in the preservation of cultural heritage
- The concept and significance of cultural heritage
- The significance of memory organizations and their duties
- The working field of a museum professional and the role of a conservation in the preservation of cultural heritage
- Philosophical and ethical foundations in conservation
- The laws, acts and statutes in cultural heritage and conservation
- The ethical codes, guidelines and professional ethics in conservation
- National and international cultural heritage and memory organizations, conservation organizations, principles and publications of the conservation field
- Materials and equipment commonly used in conservation, their use, properties and purchase
- The rights and cultural liability of indigenous people
- Intangible and material cultural heritage
- Equipment and materials and their properties commonly used in conservation

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 require 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.

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.

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.

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 require 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.