AIM720 - Sustainability and Human Rights in Heritage and Museums
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Steven Cooke |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 4 x 2.5-hour on-site lectures/practical experience (field trips) per trimester 4 x 2-hour online seminars per trimester |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning activities including 4 scheduled online seminars |
| Typical study commitment: | Students should plan to spend around 10-hours per week on the combined activities of reading, working through the exercises, library research and preparing assignments. For on-campus students this will include 4-days of practical experience activity. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
What role does heritage play in moments of social rupture, armed conflict and environmental change? How is heritage mobilised in the wake of such destructive forces, in the long processes of recovery, reconstruction and commemoration?
This unit critically explores the challenges facing heritage and museums at a time of rapid planetary change and global disruption. It reflects on the relationships heritage practitioners and institutions have with collections, Indigenous peoples and the environment, as well as their responsibilities to address questions of colonialism, human rights and sustainability. Through a range of case studies, it analyses the power of places, objects and traditions to engage communities affected by change, and to tell stories of local and planetary transformation. It introduces themes and questions raised by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as key debates in the intersections between heritage and human rights. Central to this unit are the core heritage concepts of loss, management and memorialisation.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the many roles that heritage plays in the context of environmental change, cultural loss and human rights. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Critically analyse the relationships between people, places and objects in cultural heritage and museum studies and creatively communicate these ideas using digital technologies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO3 | Critically analyse and evaluate key concepts that reflect the interdisciplinary of the field. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Critically reflect on the varied contexts in which heritage practices occur and the varied communities whom they represent. | GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global citizenship |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Online Quiz | 30-minute quiz | 10% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2: Curatorial Response | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 3: Essay | 2500 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 10 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIM720 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.