MC3HH-Hidden Heritage: investigating and interpreting historic buildings and landscapes

Module Provider: The Museum of English Rural Life
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Nicola Pickering

Email: n.pickering@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

A practical introduction to researching, analysing and interpreting historic buildings and landscapes for a public audience. The module is based on work with historic sites and buildings in the area local to the University of Reading and London. You will work on collaborative and individual practical projects to explore why and how historic buildings and landscapes are researched, presented and opened to the public in the UK. Through the application of theory to practical exercises you will benefit from both academic and vocational learning. The module aims to develop a wide range of interpersonal, organisational, research analytical and presentation skills readily transferable to a career in heritage management.

Aims:

This module explores the methods used by heritage professionals to investigate and interpret historic buildings and landscapes. It will provide a practical introduction for students in assessing, researching and presenting historic buildings and landscapes to the public.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an ability to undertake self-directed research into historic buildings, landscapes and objects, locating and analysing a broad range of primary and secondary sources.


• Recognise ways of assessing the significance of historic buildings and landscapes. Plan and create a statement of significance for a nominated example using appropriate resources.


• Identify and devise ways through which historic buildings, landscapes and objects can be presented and interpreted for a public audience in an engaging, accessible and innovative manner.


• Identify solutions to competing challenges within the heritage conservation, management and interpretation sector.


• Demonstrate your oral and written communication skills by presenting findings and ideas in a clear and logical way to the module convenor and peers.

Additional outcomes:

This module aims to develop your

• interpersonal, organisational, research analytical and presentation skills.


• observational and recording skills through in-depth analysis of specific buildings, objects and landscapes.


• communication skills as they learn how to write for specific audiences.


• experience in using archival and specialist library resources in research projects.


• time management, networking, information literacy and problem-solving skills through the planning of assessed tasks. 

Outline content:

Thousands of historic buildings and landscapes are preserved, managed and opened to visitors in the UK. Why do we take such an interest in these buildings and sites, what is their value, and for whom? How can we best approach the study and presentation of these intriguing survivals of past times and the stories that surround them? This module is a practical introduction to the heritage sector, and the research and presentation of historic buildings and landscapes for a public audience.

Lectures will introduce the relevant theories surrounding these activities, taking a cross-disciplinary approach drawing on methodological approaches from the fields of museum studies, heritage management, history, archaeology, art and architectural history. Using case studies from a range of buildings and sites, this module will examine the theoretical, practical and ethical issues connected with researching, assessing the significance of, and interpreting historic objects, buildings and landscapes.

You will be taught how to approach the investigation of different types of historic buildings, objects and landscapes using observational skills, archival resources and material culture theory. You will be encouraged to explore the potential of buildings, objects and landscapes to unlock stories from the past and appeal to a public audience in accessible and innovative ways. 

The module will also investigate how practical concerns, such as conservation, funding and legislation, may impact on interpretation and public access.

Assignments closely reflect the type of task undertaken by heritage professionals; assignments 1 and 3 in particular have direct links to professional practice in the heritage sector. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will introduce theory and practice while seminars will involve practical analysis and research of historic buildings, landscapes, objects and archives.

Lectures will be interactive and will include occasional contributions from archive, curatorial, visitor experience, education and conservation staff, who will connect their areas of expertise to wider issues of heritage management and interpretation. Two lectures will take place away from the University of Reading – one at Compton Verney and one at either Basildon Park or Cliveden House.

Seminars will provide the opportunity to clarify and interrogate elements of lectures and will also be used to discuss and check progress on module tasks. Group activities in seminars will develop your interpersonal, research and communication skills. Assignments ask you to apply theory to practice and are designed to engage you in research and practical application of theories to aspects such as statements of significance, heritage interpretation and public engagement.



Examples of topics related to the investigation and interpretation of historic buildings and landscapes that will be covered in this module include:

• How to research historic buildings and landscapes: sources, methods and approaches.


• The origins of heritage conservation and management in the UK.


• An introduction to heritage law in the UK.


• Constructing and using statements of significance.


• Staffing, funding and management concerns in the field of heritage management.


• Balancing conservation concerns with access and commercial requirements.


• Historic and contemporary approaches to presenting and interpreting buildings and sites for the public.


• Exhibitions and other temporary interpretation or engagement projects.


• Employing academic research and partnerships in presentation and interpretation projects.


• Appropriate and effective use of digital technology in research and interpretation projects.


• Widening access and participation in public heritage.

This is a 20 credit module, which means that it will require 200 hours of work: seminar preparation, background reading, and reading for coursework, coursework writing, and preparation for presentations. With that in mind the kind of workload they should expect might be as follows:

• - 16 hours Contact hours in formal teaching sessions


• - 14 hours Visiting heritage sites and buildings, and taking notes on interpretation strategies and labelling. Staff will provide guidance on planning visits.


• - 35 hours Researching written and oral assignments.


• - 45 hours Reading for, preparing and writing/practicing assignments.


• - 90 hours Background reading for lectures and seminars.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8
Seminars	6
Practicals classes and workshops	2
External visits	14
Guided independent study:	170
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. 40% - written assignment, 1,200 words: statement of significance on chosen building or site. 


2. 10% - 10 minute oral presentation with 2-side handout: innovative approaches to interpretation and engagement as illustrated by one case study chosen by the student.


3. 50% - written assignment, 1,500 words plus appendix: new interpretation proposal for building or landscape chosen by the student, to include justification and an awareness of practical concerns such as space, access, conservation and funding. 

Formative assessment methods:

Weeks 3-6 will focus on how to approach the research of historic buildings, landscapes, objects and archives. This will be supported by specialist staff. Staff will assist students in person to navigate catalogues and access original materials and to develop their data retrieval and analysis skills.

Weeks 7-10 will focus on the buildings, landscapes, objects and archives themselves, through weekly site visits and group discussions. Staff will provide formative feedback in person to assist students in recognising how theoretical approaches to research, presentation, interpretation and engagement can be applied in practice. Guest speakers will also assist students in exploring and critiquing specific case studies during site visits.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of coursework in Spring term

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: two lectures will take place away from the University – one at Compton Verney, Warwickshire, one at either Basildon Park, Berkshire or Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire. Students may be asked to cover some of the costs of travel to these locations.

Last updated: 7 August 2019