In line with current developments in the sector, as well as society as a whole, the master AMHS approaches museums and objects of heritage as distinguished sites of interaction between people and things, which can be instrumentalised to offer new perspectives on the dynamics of heritage as a meaningful way in the present of dealing with the past with reference to the future, and in response to issues of sustainability, inclusivity and digitality. This approach based on inclusion and social engagement needs a fitting vision on education, which allows for multivocality, student participation in curriculum development and assessment, and a teaching environment which actively puts principles of sustainability, inclusivity and digitality into practice. The Reinwardt Academy’s 2019-2024 strategic plan and the Reinwardt Educational Policy 2020 provide the necessary policy framework in this regard.
The Reinwardt Academy subscribes to small-scale education with personal attention to students. For the master AMHS, this translates into a classroom of about 20 students. In larger groups students can easily avoid participating in group discussions. Larger groups also prove problematic when visiting museums or heritage sites given limitations of space and visibility, which may deprive some students of the desired learning experience. We stand by the following educational principles
- The students form an international classroom, coming from different parts of the world, with diverse educational and professional backgrounds.
- Peer education is a core principle in the hyper-diverse classroom. Everyone has skills or knowledge sets that are valuable to the rest of the cohort. Prior work experience is thus highly stressed.
- Education is oriented towards enhancing students’ knowledge, insights and skills in positioning oneself in relation to other people, places and historical contexts.
- Students are challenged to be innovative and future-oriented.
- Lecturers need to be experienced professionals as well as qualified teachers.
- Students are required to continuously reflect on professional experiences based on ethics, practice and theory.
- Practice-based learning is encouraged as much as possible in the modular set-up.
- Students and lecturers form a community of learners, where students are treated as colleagues-to-be.
- Students are given a voice in curriculum content based on their needs and interests.
The ability to engage in critical reflection is an important goal of the programme. Learning takes place through encounters, interactions and cooperation. The students’ diversity, in terms of cultural background, education, professional experience and interests, is key in knowledge-building and sharing and comparing experiences. Disagreements and misunderstandings sometimes arise, leading to tensions within the group. Learning how to deal with these tensions is an important aspect of the programme in preparation of a diverse working environment. The implementation of the educational vision will be monitored in accordance with the multi-year quality assurance plan which is currently under development for the Reinwardt Academy as a whole.