Technical Examination and Documentation (CUMC90032)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | August |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject aims to provide students with an introduction to a range of technical examination and documentation methods. Visual examination methods include the use of: visible light (reflected, transmitted, raking), ultraviolet and infrared radiation and x-radiography. More invasive examination methods include: microscopy, sampling and chemical spot tests. Documentation methods include: photography, 3-D imaging, condition reporting and scientific report writing. Students will apply these fundamental examination and documentation techniques to the study of:
- One focus object, which students will select and work on as a group. Each student group will be investigating ether a painting (landscape or portrait), paper (watercolour, print or photograph) or object (textile, wood, ceramic, metal, glass or plastic) based artefact.
- A variety of cultural heritage objects composed of organic, inorganic or metallic materials will also be examined during the practical sessions, for a more holistic perspective.
During the pre-teaching period students are expected to complete the course readings, review the online lectures and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS, which will become available at the commencement of the pre-teaching dates.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply the protocols and processes associated with a range of technical methods used to handle, sample and examine different types of cultural material
- Analyse and evaluate conservation practice
- Synthesize the documentation, analysis and evaluation of observations via the creation of conservation and reports
- Engage in reflective practice, critically evaluating their conservation observations and analytical results.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply relevant methodologies, technical approaches and documentary practices
- Make Analytical judgements, problem solving and decision making
- Effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines using organisational and time-management skills
- Uphold integrity and ethical practice
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Work cooperatively, contribute ideas to the team, and achieve shared goals.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-CULMC Master of Cultural Materials Conservation
- Principles of Cultural Materials Conservation specialisation (formal) in the GCA-ARTS Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
CUMC40007 Technical Examination and Documentation
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A technical condition report
| End of the teaching period | 40% |
A technical examination report
| End of the assessment period | 60% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend 100% of classes in order to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | During the assessment period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- August
Coordinator Paula Dredge Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 37 hours: 13 x 1-hour lectures and 12 x 2-hour practicals throughout the intensive teaching period. Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 28 July 2025 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period students are expected to complete the course readings, review the online lectures and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS. The LMS will become available at the commencement of the pre-teaching dates. Teaching period 18 August 2025 to 29 August 2025 Last self-enrol date 1 August 2025 Census date 22 August 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 29 August 2025 Assessment period ends 19 September 2025 August contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available in the pre-teaching period.
Recommended texts and other resources
In addition to the Subject Reader, the following texts are recommended for this subject and can be purchased from online book stores and/or borrowed from the Baillieu library (copies will also be available in class):
- Bigras, C, Choquette, M & Powell, J 2010. Lighting Methods for Photographing Museum Objects, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa (available from the CCI).
- Hodges, H 1989. 'The Examination of artifacts', in Artifacts - an introduction to early materials and technology. London: Duckworth, pp. 175-228 (UniM Baillieu 609.03 HODG).
- Odegaard, N, Carroll, S & Zimmit, WS 2000/2007. Material Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology - 1st/2nd edition. London: Archetype Publications (UniM Baillieu 620.110287 ODEG).
- Powell, BA 2016. Collection Care - An Illustrated Handbook for the Care and Handling of Cultural Objects. New York: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Stuart, B 2007. Analytical Chemistry in Conservation. UK: John Wiley & Sons (UniM Baillieu 702.88 STUA).
- Van Horn, DR, Culligan, H & Midgett, C (eds) 2015. Basic Condition Reporting - A Handbook - 4th edition. New York: Rowman & Littlefield (UniM Baillieu 069.52 BASI).
- Warda, J (ed) 2008/2011. The AIC Guide to Photography and Conservation Documentation - 1st/2nd edition. Washington DC: American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (UniM Baillieu 025.84 AIC) (The 2011 2nd edition is available from the AIC).
Additional texts may be recommended.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Principles of Cultural Materials Conservation - Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025