Introduction to Cultural Heritage Management

This course will introduce and examine the principles underlying the practices of cultural heritage and museum management. It introduces students to the historical, political, institutional and cultural frameworks for contemporary heritage and museum practice in Australia and internationally. The first half of the course focuses on heritage practices, the second on understanding the frameworks regulating museum practices. Topics covered by the course will include the identification of the range and nature of cultural heritage in Australia, an examination of the history of museum development and collecting practices, the basic policy and legislative frameworks (Federal and State) governing the protection of cultural heritage; the principles and processes of heritage conservation planning; the role of archaeology and other areas of expertise in heritage conservation, curation and planning, the practices of documenting heritage values. The course will also consider the ethical issues that underpin heritage and museum conservation and interpretation.