Engaged Professionalism

Scheduling

Wednesdays and occasional Fridays in Term 1 and 2.

Content

In this module students explore and discuss the practical and ethical challenges of museum and heritage work in relation to issues of sustainability, inclusivity and digitality. They will become acquainted with innovative approaches and methods in conversation with experienced professionals and through workshops and field visits. The module Engaged Professionalism will challenge students to think deeply about the role of museums and heritage in society and the role of museums and heritage practitioners in advocating for values as sustainability and inclusivity.

To this end, the module gives an overview of key issues in contemporary museum and heritage practice, such as community engagement, governance, and local and international advisory and governing bodies such as ICOM, ICOMOS and UNESCO. A variety of lecturers, including professionals from the heritage field, will discuss topics like restitution, (il)legal trade, relevant (inter)national legislation and the role of stakeholders and communities.

Students will visit different heritage organisations, ranging from well-established institutions to grassroots’ organisations, to learn about their methodologies and the ways in which they connect to the world around them. Meetings and discussions with staff members are part of the programme and introduces the students to the ideas behind heritage practice as well as build their network.

Learning objectives

To be able to:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of ethical and practical dilemmas with which heritage professionals are confronted;
  • Demonstrate historical knowledge and historical awareness in professional or educational context.

To be able to:

  • Choose existing or develop new instruments with the aim to facilitate heritage professionals to meet ethical and practical challenges.

To be able to:

  • Critically assess and evaluate ethical and practical dilemmas;
  • Formulate a vision on ethical and practical dilemma’s that heritage professionals face;
  • Propose to the most appropriate funder for a given museum and heritage project and justify this choice.

To be able to:

  • Effectively explain the complexity of a given museum & heritage field to an intercultural audience in English.

To be able to:

  • Identify personal knowledge gaps which need to be addressed in order to meet short-term professional career goals.

Assessment

Formative Assessments

  • Short classroom assignments, documentation of, and reflection on field visits and lectures;
  • A presentation concerning an ‘exhibition’ demonstrating intercultural sensitivity (group work).

Summative assessments

  • A critical portfolio based on continued documentation and reflection on field visits, literature and class work, as well as a final personal reflection;
  • A funding concept note: Students are to develop a funding idea for a heritage intervention based on an existing programme after identify a relevant and feasible call for proposals or foundations open for ideas . For this purpose, the existing programme will be provided along with an outline for a concept note and initial ideas for possible interventions. A draft is submitted for peer review

Entry requirements

No additional requirements.

Expectations

You are required to actively participate in the lectures, discussions and field visits. This is best achieved by thoroughly studying the required literature in advance of the lectures and by exploring relevant websites.

For the portfolio you are required to write a brief reflective reports on a regular basis (minimum 400 – maximum 600 words). In addition to the reports, the portfolio should contain a written reflection on your intercultural communication skills and of your individual learning goals and needs for the module Intervention Design and the excursion to Flanders (750-1000 words).

Lecturers

Mirjam Shatanawi (coordinator), Gerdie Borghuis, Trilce Navarrete, Judy Jaffe-Schagen, Mari Varsányi, Menno Welling and various professional guest speakers.

Study load

Credits: 14 ECT (392h)
      Lectures, workshops, field visits 120h
      Reflective reports 48h
      Portfolio 24h
      Intercultural exhibition presentation 20h
      Mandatory readings 160h
      Funding concept note 20h
      Total392h

Literature

A sample of literature used in the past.

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 Researching Concepts
Intervention Design