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Unit of study_

MHST6903: Managing Collections and Heritage Sites

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

How museum collections and heritage places are managed and listed is a core function of cultural institutions. From global contexts, such as World Heritage, to national, regional and local museum collections and heritage lists, understanding how objects and places are documented, assessed, and registered is important for both museum and heritage practice. This unit introduces students to the theories and practices of collection and heritage management through current issues in the development, policy and maintenance of cultural collections and places.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MHST6903
Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
MUSM7031
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lilian Cameron, lilian.cameron@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lilian Cameron, lilian.cameron@sydney.edu.au
Tristen Jones, tristen.jones@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Participation
n/a
10% Ongoing NA
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Presentation
n/a
10% Ongoing 500 words or 10min presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Assignment Research Project
n/a
35% Week 05
Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Essay
n/a
45% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

n/a

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of exceptional standard. Written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and reading; pointed and critical analysis of material; innovative interpretation of evidence, makes an insightful contribution to historical debate; engages with values, assumptions and contested meanings contained within original evidence, develops abstract or theoretical arguments on the strength of detailed research and interpretation. Properly documented; writing characterised by creativity, style, and precision

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a superior standard. Written work demonstrates initiative in research and reading, complex understanding and original analysis of subject matter and its context, empirical and theoretical; makes a good attempt to ''''get behind'''' the evidence and engage with its underlying assumptions, takes an interrogative stance to historical argument and interpretation, shows critical understanding of the principles and values underlying the unit. Properly documented; writing characterised by style, clarity, and some creativity

Credit

65 - 74

Competent work, demonstrating a clear capacity to engage critically and creatively with the question, although further development is needed. Evidence of comprehensive reading and initiative in research, offering synthesis and critical evaluation of material on its own terms; takes a position in relation to various interpretations. In addition, it shows some extra spark of insight or analysis. Demonstrates good selection of evidence, coherent and sustainable argument, some evidence of independent thought, grasp of relevant museology or studies in cultural heritage.

Pass

50 - 64

Work of an acceptable standard. Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading and research, demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter, offers a summary of material relevant to the question, and has a logical and comprehensible structure with acceptable documentation of sources, but there may be gaps in any or all of these areas and some weaknesses in clarity and/or structure.

Fail

0 - 49

Work not of acceptable standard. Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor presentation, grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; submitted very late without extension.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Managing Collections and Historic Sites Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Heritage Registers, Lists, and Charters Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Collections Management Policies Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Chau Chak Wing Museum: Collections Management Expert Talks Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Visitor Management and Heritage Interpretation Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Site Visit to First Government house and Museum of Sydney, MHNSW Field trip (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Classification, Cataloguing and Documentation Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Storage Crisis and Deaccessioning Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Assessing Cultural Heritage Significance Field trip (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Management and Conservation of Heritage Sites Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Assessing the Significance of Objects and Collections Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Heritage at Risk Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Disaster Planning and Sustainability Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate understanding of different structures of governance for the conservation, management and listing of museum collections and heritage places
  • LO2. build individual capacity in the documentation, assessment and registration of museum collections and objects, and heritage places
  • LO3. apply critical analysis to the principles, philosophies and practices of museum collection and heritage management globally, nationally and locally
  • LO4. undertake research relevant to the documentation, assessment and registration of collections and places

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updated learning activities and assessments

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.