Heritage Management – (M.A.)

Contents

The programme comprises an introductory module, Understanding Heritage, followed by compulsory modules, with each module lasting three weeks, and a one-week residential study school. The modules are:

Module 1: Understanding Heritage

This module seeks to introduce the core values of heritage and looks at the evolving national and international charters and systems that underpin the delivery of heritage protection. It looks at heritage in all its forms: tangible and intangible, official and unofficial and critically examines how heritage works and happens.

Module 2: Heritage Conservation Management

Everyone responsible for a part of the heritage is working with a finite resource which must be managed appropriately to ensure its long term survival. Key concepts such as stewardship and sustainability are considered in this module in all sectors of the heritage. The premise that creative conservation can only be achieved through economic viability and accountability runs through the sessions. Core training is provided in conservation and planning legislation, visitor management, integrated management of historic properties, collections management and carrying capacity.

Module 3: Business Management & Finance for Heritage

During this module students examine finance in heritage situations with a focus on fundraising and funding applications. Students are provided with an introduction to management and financial accounting, strategic management, income generation, personnel management, performance appraisal, and budgeting. Current issues such as museum charging, arts sponsorship, European funding and The National Lottery are fully considered.

Module 4: Heritage Marketing

Marketing is the range of activities which enables a heritage organisation to address a wide public and to select target audiences when appropriate. Marketing adjusts the organisation's messages to the outside world, and seeks to further its interests as laid down in policy objectives. This module introduces the basics of marketing theory, mechanisms of marketing, exploring the product, the marketing mix, using the media, market research, marketing strategy and applies them to heritage organisations.

Module 5: Heritage Interpretation

This module explores good practice in interpretation, the art of revealing to visitors the meaning and significance of objects and places. The philosophy of interpretation is considered and issues such as selectivity and bias are debated. Interpretation is considered in the contexts of recreation management, tourism, education and museums. Key concepts include communication theory, interpretative planning and programming, exhibition design and layout, visitor behaviour, interpretative media, language for interpretation, monitoring and evaluation.

Module 6: Study Week

The study week is an opportunity to put all the elements of the programme together through a series of visits to a number of heritage sites in one part of the country. We will meet heritage professionals in their place of work and discuss with them the problems and approaches they have used in running their institutions.

For the MA you also undertake a 12,000-word dissertation.

The programme offers advanced professional preparation qualifications in heritage management and industrial archaeology for those who wish to enter these sectors. It makes full use of the unique setting of industrial monuments within the Ironbridge Gorge, supplemented by visits to a rich variety of other museums and sites to illustrate particular aspects within the modules.

This programme has proved successful in providing both entry qualifications and continued professional development in these fields.