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Unit of study_

MHST6916: The Idea of Heritage

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

In contemporary society heritage is understood as a form of cultural practice and production that operates at local, national and global scales. Heritage has moved beyond the identification and conservation of 'things we want to keep' to incorporate ideas about intangible values, identity formation, the role of memory and different knowledge systems from critical and theoretical perspectives. This unit of study will examine how heritage is produced, consumed, negotiated and conserved through political processes, structures of governance and cultural practices.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MHST6916
Academic unit Archaeology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
HRTG6901
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Annie Clarke, annie.clarke@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Annie Clarke, annie.clarke@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Speed Presentation
A 'speed' presentation on your research topic in 5 minutes and 3 ppt slides
10% Multiple weeks 5 minutes, 3 powerpoint slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation
Write a 500 word blog about a heritage issue in the recent news
10% Week 05
Due date: 18 Mar 2024 at 15:11
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay
Write an essay based on the topics on Canvas
40% Week 07
Due date: 08 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Research Project
Write up a research report on a heritage topic of your choosing
40% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

There are four assignments for this unit of study. All must be completed to be eligible to achieve a passing grade.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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/Changing Ideas of Heritage Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Heritage, Power and Discourse Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Contested Heritage Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Intangible Heritage and Heritage Practices Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Future Heritages Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Graffiti as heritage Guest Lecture: Ursula Frederick (U. Canberra) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Heritage and Trauma Guest Lecture: Charlotte Feakins Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Field Trip Urban Heritage – ghost signs as unrecognised heritage with Sophie Roe Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Project Presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Public History, Heritage and Memory Guest Lecture: James Findlay (History) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Project Presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Climate Change and Sustainability Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Project Writing Week - projects due. Overview of unit Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority. The Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90 per cent.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

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. have developed knowledge of key research issues in global heritage studies
  • LO2. understand the history, current practice and broad public significance of heritage
  • LO3. understand theory, method and practice in heritage through the use of case studies
  • LO4. have improved their skills in research, essay writing and presentation (e.g. critical thinking and argument building).

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.

Changes have been made to the Learning Activities following student feedback from 2021

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.