Cultural Materials Conservation

Intended learning outcomes

Students who complete the Master of Arts (Thesis only) in this area of specialisation should:

• demonstrate a thorough knowledge of cultural material conservation principles, methodologies and best practice standards;
• demonstrate a capacity for articulating conservation research questions and the appropriate methodologies for investigating them;
• have an understanding of the role of cultural material in the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of individuals, communities and nations;
• can access, appreciate and contribute to national and international debates, protocols and conventions relevant to cultural material conservation;
• can act as informed advocates for cultural material conservation and play a leadership role within the sector, actively engaging in critical policy issues;
• bring an appreciation of cultural diversity, community sensitivities and a changing social context to the scientific and historical paradigms that exist within the cultural heritage and conservation sectors;
• can apply critical and analytical skills and methods, and a cross disciplinary understanding and approach, to the identification and resolution of conservation issues;
• can express research findings in lucid, well constructed arguments which use appropriate scientific and social conventions of documentation;
• a respect for intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
• the capacity for independent critical thought and self directed learning; and
• an openness to new ideas.