Heritage Theory

Code: HIS14545L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: History

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

To provide students with knowledge of the theoretical foundations of the heritage area, from a historical perspective, up to the present. The aim is to promote the critical ability of students to understand heritage as a cultural and meaning process, appreciation and use of the past in the present.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

Trabalho digno e crescimento económico - Promover o crescimento económico sustentado, inclusivo e sustentável, emprego pleno e produtivo, e trabalho decente para todos.

Reduzir as desigualdades - Reduzir as desigualdades dentro dos países e entre eles.

Cidades e comunidades sustentáveis - Tornar as cidades e os assentamentos humanos inclusivos, seguros, resilientes e sustentáveis.

Paz, justiça e instituições eficazes - Paz, justiça e instituições eficazes promover sociedades pacíficas e inclusivas par ao desenvolvimento sustentável, proporcionar o acesso à justiça para todos e construir instituições eficazes, responsáveis
e inclusivas em todos os níveis.

Learning Goals

The main goal of the curricular unit is to provide students with knowledge of the history of the concept of heritage and its theoretical and critical foundations, as well as skills in the critical analysis of heritage processes, in order to understand:

- its historical development in a long time perspective, including the ideas, texts and practices that have determined it;
- heritage as a cultural concept and social and political practice of the present
- heritage as an enhancement, meaning and use of the past in the present.
- heritage in the context of the cultural, social, political and economic factors which determine its value, use and conservation;
- heritage as an interdisciplinary area which crosses different scientific and disciplinary areas, including History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Architecture, Arts, Visual Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, etc.

1. The background of Heritage.
1.1 The symbolic value of objects, buildings and cultural practices: representation and mediation.
1.2 From antiquity to the national monument (14th-20th centuries).
1.3 From the first concepts of conservation and restoration to scientific restoration.
2. What is Heritage?
2.1 Heritage as meaning, value and use of the past in the present:
2.1.1 From the material to the immaterial.
2.1.2 The cultural, the biophysical and the landscape.
2.1.3 From national value to universal value.
2.1.4 From inherited heritage to claimed heritage.
2.1.5 From Cesare Brandi and the new theory of restoration to digital restoration.
2.1.6 Critical heritage studies and critical conservation.
3. Towards an Epistemology of Heritage.
3.1 Memory and forgetfulness.
3.2 Identities and otherness.
3.3 Heritage Policies in the Postcolonial and Globalization Era.
3.4 Uses of Heritage and its Economic Value.
3.5 Heritage, Environment and Sustainability.
3.6 Digital Heritage.

Teaching Methods

1. lecture on the topic in question, 1 on the analysis of a key text related to the topic in question (with the participation of students), 1 on the critical analysis of a case study of a heritage process which will enable a concrete understanding of the impact of the idea, concept and/or theory discussed on the enhancement, significance and/or conservation of a heritage resource.

The evaluation will comprise three core exercises, two examinations (25%+25%) and a written assignment (30%), with an oral presentation (10%). The assignment consists in a critical analysis of a theoretical text or a patrimonialisation process reflecting a particular theoretical approach to heritage (an idea, a concept or a theory). Students' interventions in classes when requested to do so will also be considered (10%).

Assessment

The evaluation will comprise three core exercises, two examinations (25%+25%) and a written assignment (30%), with an oral presentation (10%). The assignment consists in a critical analysis of a theoretical text or a patrimonialisation process reflecting a particular theoretical approach to heritage (an idea, a concept or a theory). Students' interventions in classes when requested to do so will also be considered (10%).