Cross-Cultural Assessment and Treatment (CUMC90038)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
November
FeesLook up fees

Framed by the philosophy and practice of two-way/both way learning, this subject will examine a range of cultural objects, with various deterioration and preservation issues. Using participant-led discussion and teacher-led investigation, students will provide input from their particular cultural perspective as to possible best practice and effective treatment options for the longer term conservation of the object. Students will also learn to contextualise particular examples within broader knowledge-sharing principles that are central to cross-cultural conservation practices. Basic conservation treatment decision-making will be examined and this will require students to consider the complexity of intervention and the impact of cross-cultural decision making where senior knowledge may be cultural, academic or professional. Students will then undertake basic treatment of an object.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

  • Analyse the role and value of cultural material as the basis for developing cross-cultural dialogue and understanding
  • Exercise selected methods of construction of cultural material and be able to extrapolate this knowledge to other materials and practices
  • Identify problems with cultural materials and provide recommendations for care
  • Discuss materials under consideration in objects presented to class
  • Apply best practice in the decision-making relevant to the treatment of cultural materials and associated heritage
  • Articulate complex cultural issues involved in the treatment of objects and associated heritage.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

  • Develop strong research and research production skills that reflect complex cross-cultural decision-making
  • Contextualise complex knowledge and synthesis this into rigorous documentation and effective communication
  • Explain how value and significance are assigned within other cultures, and that is transferable to other leaning environments (including in other cultures or other education and research programs)
  • Contribute to debates about culture and its significance.

Last updated: 4 March 2025