Identify something in your life or local community that is an example of a type of cultural heritage, according to the UNESCO 2002 list. Describe it briefly and then explain why you think it is culturally significant. Clearly outline your reasons for assessing its cultural worth. Length: 300 words.

Grading criteria: Clarity of expression; evidence of thought

You will be required to take 4 online quizzes that relate to material covered in the lectures and readings (Weeks 1-12). Each quiz, which will consist of 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions, will be worth 5% of your total grade (20% total).

• Quiz 1 (in Week 4) – will cover material from Weeks 1, 2, and 3
• Quiz 2 (in Week 7)  – will cover material from Weeks 4, 5, and 6
• Quiz 3 (in Week 10) – will cover material from Weeks 7, 8, and 9
• Quiz 4 (in Week 13) – will cover material from Weeks, 10, 11, and 12

Each quiz will be open for one week (12 am Monday - midnight Sunday). Once you begin the quiz, you will have one hour to complete it. Only one attempt per test will be allowed.

Grading criteria: Knowledge; accuracy; familiarity with the lecture material

The following instructions outline the steps required to carry out and write a Significance Assessment (these instructions are a slightly modified version of those described in the publication, Significance 2.0, p. 23; see also pp. 22-25, 32, and 38-41). Significance 2.0 will be available on the unit iLearn site and full details for this assignment will be provided in Week 2.

Complete Steps 1-7 before carrying out Steps 8-10.

Before you begin

Choose an object to assess

Choose an object on display in a local museum. Make a note of the object’s inventory number(s). Make an appointment to speak to the manager or curator of the museum and ask for permission to have access to any relevant records associated with the object.

Step 1. Collate

First collate basic information about your object.

This may include the acquisition date, donor or vendor details, notes made when the item was acquired, photos, copies of letters and reference materials, and information about related items and places. This information can be obtained from the manager or curator of the museum.

Step 2. Research

Research the history and provenance of the item.

Try to establish the date and place when your object was made and/or discovered. Also find information about its maker (if this is applicable or known – this will usually only apply to modern/non-ancient objects) as well as the subsequent owners of the object (if possible). Identify the place where the item was created, used, or purchased. Often, however, this information may be difficult or impossible to ascertain. See the section on Provenance in Significance 2.0, pp. 15-19 for further information.

Step 3. Consult (optional)

Consult donors, owners, and knowledgeable people

Identify people with an interest in or knowledge of the item. Ask questions about the context, provenance and potential social values of the object. Consult people who may have information about the item or maker, or know about similar items – such as academic staff at Macquarie.

Step 4. Explore

Explore the context of the item

Research your object via consultation of the scholarly literature. Consider how it relates to wider historical themes, developments or industry (for example, if your object is an Egyptian pot, investigate the evidence for pottery use and production in ancient Egyptian life). How does your object relate to the history, geography or environment of the place where it was created or used? Consider its function and purpose, and relationship with other items.

Step 5. Analyse

Analyse and describe the fabric and condition of the item

Note the appearance of the item, its materials, marks, processes of design, patterns of wear, repair, and any changes or adaptations. Record the item’s general condition.

Step 6. Compare

Compare the item with similar items

How is the item similar or different to comparable items? Check to see if cultural heritage websites (such as museums) list similar items. Where possible include photos for comparison. Check reference books and the Internet.

Step 7. Identify

Identify related places and items

Think about the places associated with the item, or the environment or location of its origin. Consider its relationships with contemporary places and people. For example, if your object is a World War I rifle, you might identify the specific battlefields where such rifles were used, the factories where they were produced, and/or the troops who were issued with such guns.

Step 8. Assess

Assess significance against criteria

Assess your object against the primary criteria: 1) historic, 2) artistic/aesthetic, 3) scientific/research potential, and 4) social/spiritual. Determine the degree of significance by assessment against the comparative criteria: provenance, rarity or representativeness, condition or completeness, and interpretative capacity. Consideration of the primary and comparative criteria will help you to define the item’s significance. Look at your notes for steps 1-7 to consider which criteria are relevant.

In your written summary, briefly indicate which criteria your object satisfies, noting the specific features that led to your decision. Note: your object may be significant in relation to one or more criteria. It is also possible that it fails to satisfy any of the criteria.

See Significance 2.0, pp. 38-41 for a full description of the primary and comparative criteria. Listen to the Week 3 lecture for more details about these criteria.

Step 9. Write

Write a statement of significance

Summarise the item’s values and meanings by reviewing relevant criteria identified in Step 8. Refer to your notes made at each step in the process. Don’t just say that the item is significant – explain how and why the item is significant.

Note, too, that you may conclude that your object is not culturally significant.

Step 10. Action

List recommendations and actions

Consider policies arising from your assessment and offer advice on management, conservation, further research, access or interpretation.

Date the assessment

Significance can change over time, so it is important to record the completion date of your assessment.

List of references

Cite the published sources you consulted for your research.

List and acknowledge contributors

If you consulted with anyone about your object, please list their name and briefly explain what assistance they provided.

Assignment structure

Your assignment will be approximately 2,500 words in length. Use the guidelines below for the length of each part. Please label each part of your assessment (Parts 1-8). Provide a photograph of your object and indicate its inventory number(s).

Citations (footnotes or endnotes) must be provided for any published source referred to and also for any personal communications received.

Structure your assignment as follows:

• Part 1: Explore (Step 4): c. 1,000 words
• Part 2: Analyse (Step 5): c. 250 words
• Part 3: Compare (Step 6): c. 250 words
• Part 4: Identify (Step 7): c. 250 words
• Part 5: Assess (Step 8): minimum of 250 words
• Part 6: Write (Step 9): c. 500 words
• Part 7: Action (Step 10): c. 100 words
• Part 8: List your references and acknowledge any contributors, consultants etc. I do not mind which referencing style you use, but which ever you choose, use it consistently.

Appendix (optional): You may append scans of your collated notes from Steps 1-3 if you wish.

Grading criteria: Attention to detail; clarity of expression; research skills; level of application

You will be expected to post at least one response on the online Learning Forum each week (Weeks 1-12). Please listen to the lecture and do the Required Reading before posting your response(s) to the discussion question(s), which will be available on the unit website each week.

Note: You will have until the end of the following week to post your response (i.e., you will have until the end of Week 2 to post a response to the Week 1 discussion questions, and so on). 30% of your final grade will reflect both the quality and quantity of your responses on the forum, so it is essential that you take part.

In Week 13, you will present a poster in class, which will summarise what you did while undertaking your internship and your personal goals and experiences. Details about how to format your poster will be given in class and on the iLearn website, but it will include such information as:

Action

• Where did you work and with whom?
• What project(s) did you work on?
• What specific activities did you do?
• How does the work relate to current issues in cultural heritage studies? i.e., where does it fit in? (refer to the topics covered in the unit)
• What was the heritage value of this work? (i.e., why is it important or worthwhile?)

Reflection

• What were your personal internship goals? (i.e., what did you hope to achieve?)
• What new skills and/or new knowledge did you acquire?
• What pre-existing skills and/or knowledge did you find yourself using?
• How has the experience changed your thinking or challenged your assumptions?
• What was your most satisfying personal outcome from the experience (e.g., did you achieve your goals?)

Following presentation of your poster in class, you must submit a pdf copy via Turnitin by midnight Friday of Week 13.

Grading criteria: Information content; relevance to the discipline; clarity; attention to detail; appearance