UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG
Department of Conservation
September 29, 2015
KU0920 Integrated Conservation, 15 higher education credits
Course guide
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The course is a compulsory course within the Master's programme in Conservation, and may
also be offered as an individual course.
It normally runs implying full time studies, but could also be given for half-time studies
distance-based.
Course content
The course aims to develop the student's ability to analyze and assess the measures relating to
the conservation of tangible cultural heritage, development, maintenance and use. What is
considered a material cultural heritage can be different and its dynamic values change over
time. Today there are often new groups, such as ordinary citizens or specialists in other
professions involved in the assessment of tangible cultural heritage.
Society is currently facing major challenges which aim to create sustainable development on
social, cultural, economic or ecological grounds. The vision of sustainability includes all
professional fields, also the field of conservation, and a growing number of international
instruments and conventions have been adopted that have consequences for specialists in the
cultural heritage sector.
The course provides an in-depth, reflective and critical understanding of the historical
circumstances and the relevant theoretical concepts and addresses the complexity of
identifying and assessing the various values of cultural heritage and to find solutions that
support sustainable development and new ways of working professionally. The course
provides a platform for discussions on different current professional challenges.
Integrated Conservation A, 7.5 credits
The module presents examples of research in Conservation today. The module is based on
lectures / discussions or seminars with researchers in the field as well as literature seminars.
The module is examined through a literature seminar.
Integrated Conservation B, 7.5 credits
The module consists of a written, individual in-depth study in elective areas. The task should
be based on studies of the object itself, its local and regional context and how it reflects
multidimensional cultural heritage values. Specialisations within the students’ respective
focus areas should be highlighted. The written independent work will be examined in a final
“cross-critic” seminar.
Instruction for the literature seminar
Choose three references from the Key texts in the Reading list, select another three references
from Further reading, or from your own literature studies relevant to your personal research
interest.
From your reading of these references, prepare a written reflection - maximum 700 words for
each of the following topics/concepts:
Cultural significance in heritage practices
Interpretation
Heritage values
Heritage outcomes in societal perspective
Global and local perspectives
Sum up your observations in a tentative outline for your individual paper. This could take the
form of key themes that you might explore, or key research questions. It might also scope the
enquiry you are interested in – for example, doing a wider literature search about a particular
subject.
Please note the learning outcomes as stated in the Syllabus:
 Independently and creatively identify and address complex problems within the area
of conservation.
 Assess phenomena and conditions within the area of conservation, in consideration of
relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects.
 Critically analyse and reflect upon approaches and values observed within different
disciplines and professional areas related to conservation.
The objective of the seminar could therefore be defined as guidance for your preparation of
the individual paper.
Instruction for individual paper
The course focuses on an in-depth assignment to be presented as an individual paper on 4000
– 5000 words. The assignment will normally be performed individually but if there are
specific reasons for working together, this would be possible. If you work in a group you need
to define the overarching theme, with clear identification of the individual contributions.
The individual paper should follow normal requirements on a scientific/scholarly paper. It
should have a front page with the title of the paper, your name, course name and date, and a
list of contents.
The following learning outcomes of the course syllabus are specifically relevant here:
Competence and skills
 Independently and creatively identify and address complex problems within the area
of conservation.
Judgment and approach
 Assess phenomena and conditions within the area of conservation, in consideration of
relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects.
 Critically analyse and reflect upon approaches and values observed within different
disciplines and professional areas related to conservation
The work process is structured into the following stages:
(This schedule concerns full-time studies, for part-time distance studies individual solutions
will be adapted but with the objective to schedule a final seminar in Göteborg)
1. Problem formulation, objectives and questions as well as working plan for the assignment.
To be presented and discussed on Tuesday December 15.
2. Submission of paper. Friday January 8. Given roles as opponents to each other’s
papers
4. Final seminar, cross critic. Wednesday January 13
5. Submission of paper, final version. Friday January 15.
How to write
In the Reading list are two instructions for writing a) a scientific research article, and b) a
guide to writing an academic paper. Read these guides and chose the one which suits you
best.
The Reading list also provide reference to a more comprehensive book on writing research
available as e-book through the University Library
Grades
The literature seminar is grade with Pass (G) or Fail (U), the papers are graded with Pass with
Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
The grade of the paper will be the grade of the course for each student.
The papers will be assessed following this structure:
A. Understanding
The student should demonstrate an understanding of the assigned task. This is based on
familiarity with the area and the theoretical background.
B. Work process
The student should demonstrate ability to plan and carry out the assigned task (fieldwork /
theoretical task). Independency and ability to keep time frames should be considered in the
assessment.
C. Results, analysis and discussion
The student will process and analyze the results obtained (theoretical or practical) with
appropriate methods. The student should be using available literature be able to put the results
in a larger context.
Independency and individual initiative should be considered in the assessment.
D. paper form
The student will adapt the written report to the accepted practices. The presentation should be
linguistically correct, clear, logical and readable, and interesting. Relevant literature should
be factually referred to in the work, and references and reference list should be properly set.
Each section will be graded as:
0 - Nonexistent
1 - Unsatisfactory
2 - Sufficient
3 - Good
4 – Excellent
To get the grade Pass with Distinction, a total score of minimum 13 is needed.
To get the grad Pass, a total score of minimum 8 is needed.