Course description
Graduate Diploma students must also demonstrate competence in the topics covered in HERM 322 (Collections), HERM 327 (Heritage Policy), HERM 339 (Conservation), and Philosophy 334 (Ethics and Heritage). See the list of Certificate courses for details. Competence in these subjects can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
* taking the Undergraduate Certificate courses
* transferring acceptable credits from a recognised institution or program
* completing a challenge-for-credit exam set by the university.
HERM 501. Issues in Heritage Resources Management (3 credits)
This course introduces key concepts, definitions and issues in the heritage field. It outlines the various stakeholders, agencies and institutions active in the field and their obligations as holders of a public trust to conserve, preserve and interpret tangible and intangible heritage. The shifts that have occurred with the rise of the New Museology and its rejection of the Modernist paradigm are assessed. To encourage critical thinking about the nature of heritage resource management, the course offers an understanding of central issues, such as those relating to ethics; approaches to measuring and defining significance in heritage preservation; representation and repatriation, using heritage for economic gain through tourism, conservation, and exhibiting and interpreting heritage resources to the public.
HERM 512. Advanced Methods in Heritage Research (3 credits)
This course provides advanced skills in applying heritage resource management research methodologies through readings, discussion and applied projects. Students concentrate on archival and library research, oral history research, and research using material culture. Students gain analytical and practical skills in using these types of sources as part of developing and applying a research strategy. Formal skills in writing, planning, structuring, and referencing written reports will be dealt with throughout the course.
HERM 542. Issues in Planning Historic Places (3 credits)
Through detailed examination of planning options and approaches for historic places, students gain advanced skills in managing and structuring planning efforts for a variety of types of circumstances, how to define appropriate use for buildings, landscapes and other resources in terms of broader preservation, economic, social and interpretative needs, and how broader cultural and economic contexts and the existing built environment shape the planning of historic places.
HERM 561. Advanced Issues in Interpretive Planning (3 credits)
This course deals with the application of informal and formal learning strategies and methods of assessing audience needs for planning and implementing interpretive programs. Specific attention is paid through case studies and practical experience to the use of exhibits and first and third person interpretation as elements in interpretive programming.
HERM 691. Heritage Diploma Practicum (6 credits)
The Diploma practicum requires the completion of a 400-hour project. It is the capstone for the Diploma program and will be completed by students who have cleared the requirements in the fields of ethics, heritage policy, collections and conservation and who have completed or are concurrently taking HERM 501, 512, 541, and 561. Students link the knowledge gained from these courses with their experience in a particular heritage setting. Students identify in advance a practicum project and a suitable on-site practicum supervisor. The Professor, Heritage Resources Management, acts as the course professor for the practicum. Formal guidelines provide detailed guidance and set out the procedures for the successful completion of the practicum project.
