Annotation
The course is an introduction to applied heritage studies, the dynamic field that deals with the uses of the past as a resource for the needs of contemporary societies. In the theoretical and methodological part, students get acquainted with jargon of the contemporary heritage discourse and learn basic analytical and interpretative skills, that can be applied for critical analysis of practices, policies, and social debates related to cultural heritage. The thematic classes focus on examples of various types, media, practices, and functions of heritage (e.g. support of tourism, identity formation, political engagement). The final part provides space for presentations of students’ own case studies. The objective of the course is to provide orientation and analytical training in heritage studies, and to teach students to understand heritage as a dynamic and complex structure of policies, institutions, actors, concepts and discourses, in which social needs, interests, identities, and conflicts are reflected and played out.
Please note the course is primarily designed for students of TEMA+ Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme. A limited number of other students (aprox 5) can be accepted, but they should be on their Master or highly advanced Bachelor level and be prepared to read extensively for the classes and carry discussions and presentations in English.
Preliminary structure: 1. Introduction: uses of the past, urban spaces, identities, power 2. Development of analytical frameworks for students' case studies 3. Reading urban space and architecture 4. Analyzing tourist guides and other media 5. Urban biographies as media of critical engagement 6. What roles for museums in urban societies? 7. Politics of history in urban space: street names 8. Making heroes and contesting statues 9. Inscribing urban history into public spaces: redesigned town squares and public art projects 10. Designing heritage trails, routes a walks 11. Multiple heritages and their uses 12. Presentations of students' case studies 13. Presentations of students' case studies