Programme information

In order to realise the ultimate goal of the master’s programme – to develop students’ professionalism – various educational instruments are used: lectures, group work, individual work, field visits, individual tutoring, external advice, peer learning and peer feedback. The use of all of these teaching formats is based on the combination of practice, research and ethical reflection. In line with our vision on education the use of new digital technologies is encouraged, both inside and outside the international classroom. The aim of teaching formats is to stimulate critical and philosophical reflection; In their teaching, all lecturers draw on professional experience and their current and relevant networks. This is supplemented with guest lectures given by professionals from the Netherlands and abroad, and visits to relevant institutions, where students can look behind the scenes and discuss museum and heritage practice with senior staff.

We prefer interactive educational formats, based on discussion and learning by doing. Frontal lectures are avoided. This can only be achieved if students come prepared and are willing, and comfortable, to participate. We thus expect students to have done the readings or other mandatory preparation when coming to class. The classroom itself is a safe space or indeed a brave space, for dialogue and exchange. Class discussion with (guest) lecturers and peers alike, thus provides a value ;earning experience. Physical attendance is thus required. Classes are recorded for review later. Only in the context of the COVID 19 are students allowed to attend classes online.

At the start of every week time is reserved for a brief summary and reflection on the preceding week. This way loose ends and unresolved questions are identified and addressed early on. Students will not be left behind and at the same time a link can be made to the new topics of that week, which helps to create a mental state conducive to learning.

Regular field trips are planned. The students visit museums and heritage organisations not only in Amsterdam but also elsewhere in the Netherlands A recurring theme is how choices concerning the treatment of cultural heritage are determined by the social, political and ideological context and how the current design of museum and heritage interventions are the result of complex societal processes. The programme includes a week long international excursion, organised in collaboration with one of our international partners, such as FARO in Belgium or Lusofona University in Lisbon. Students will then be able to experience and reflect on a different museum and heritage regime and share their insights with the hosts.

In class settings as well as during excursions, students are expected to share with others what they have learnt in a presentation, using different communication tools. This is an opportunity to challenge and expand their understanding of the issues at stake by having others ask questions, and to become aware of their own position in relation to others.

Peer learning is generally a very effective way of learning, particularly in the international and hyper-diverse classroom which the programme offers, given the fact that students arrive with different professional and educational backgrounds. Learning from each other as professionals and giving each other feedback are also part and parcel of the substantial Number of seminars in the programme.

Professional placement gives the students an opportunity to develop their professional skills, attitude and experience and apply in a working environment the theoretical knowledge they have acquired during the programme. In addition, the placement is a way to build one’s network and increase access to the labour market. It differs from an internship in the sense that the student’s task at the hosting organisation is to conduct embedded research, rather than being engaged in day-to-day operations.

Students complete a substantial part of the programme through independent study. Only part of the literature is presented to the student. Above all, students are expected to search for information themselves, using knowledge and information platforms (professional organisations, internet). They also accumulate knowledge from recent specialist literature and study material from professional practice (case studies).