OVERVIEW

The course reflects on the idea of conservation, preservation, and restoration with attention to their meanings in the different national and cultural contexts of the contemporary world. The course will deal with themes that are fundamental to the culture of protection and conservation and its plurality of interpretation through the study of exemplary cases of intervention in relation to different social, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Fundamental references will be the many doctrinal documents issued in recent years by various international bodies involved in this complex field of theoretical debate and design practice.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to reflect on the idea of conservation, preservation and restoration with attention to their meanings in the different national and cultural contexts of the contemporary world. The course will deal with themes that are fundamental to the culture of protection and conservation and its plurality of interpretation through the study of exemplary cases of intervention in relation to different social, political, economic and cultural contexts. Fundamental references will be the many doctrinal documents issued in recent years by various international bodies involved in this complex field of theoretical debate and design practice.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims

The course is articulated in a series of lectures and seminars reflecting on the idea of conservation, preservation, and restoration with attention to their meanings in the different contemporary national and cultural contexts.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should:

• know the main steps of the history and development of conservation theories and the role they play in the study and appreciation of cultural heritage in contemporary society;
• be aware of the principles which rule the conservation processes.
• be aware of current developments in the debate around conservation, preservation, and restoration.
• be capable of thinking beyond mainstream heritage concepts, categories, and texts and engaging with alternative intellectual and methodological frameworks;

TEACHING METHODS

The course is taught through lectures integrated with seminars delivered by external experts who have specialist knowledge and expertise on the course themes and issues. Students are expected to participate actively in the lectures and seminars, and to read the recommended essential texts, being able to follow and actively contribute to the development of the course.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• M. Glendinning (2013). The Conservation Movement: A History of Architectural Preservation. Antiquity to Modernity. London and New York: Routledge, 390-414; 417-450. https://unopertutto.unige.net/permalink/39GEN_INST/tigon9/alma990012136890204051
• A. Merbach, K. Stamm (2020). International Heritage Conservation Principles: Historical Overview. In: Smith, C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 5881-5889. Web. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30018-0_432 https://unopertutto.unige.net/permalink/39GEN_INST/1t4pt0g/cdi_springer_books_10_1007_978_3_030_30018_0_432
• S. Muñoz Viñas (2005). Contemporary Theory of Conservation, Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Linacre House, 1-25; 65-71. https://archive.org/details/ContemporaryTheoryOfConservation_201711/page/n3/mode/2up
• S. F. Musso (2018). Challenges, competencies, professions for the built heritage conservation in the Contemporary World, PLURAL: History, Culture, Society=Istorie, Cultură, Societate, Journal of the History and Geography Department “Ion Creangă” Pedagogical State University, Vol. 6, 2, 2018, 5-16 https://unopertutto.unige.net/permalink/39GEN_INST/1t4pt0g/cdi_ceeol_journals_741654
• S. F. Musso (2009). Conservation/restoration of built Heritage. “Dimensions of contemporary culture”. In: Piet Lombaerde, Laura Lee (editors), Bringing the World into Culture. Comparative Methodologies in Architecture, Art, Design and Science, Antwerpen: UPA Editions (University Press Antwerp), 86-107. https://unopertutto.unige.net/permalink/39GEN_INST/tigon9/alma990010844460204051

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

STEFANO FRANCESCO MUSSO (President)

MARTA CASANOVA

FEDERICA POMPEJANO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

2° semester

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam consists in an oral discussion with the members of the examination board.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

This course is assessed by means of a final oral discussion during which the examination board will evaluate the capability of thinking beyond mainstream architectural heritage and conservation principles, categories, and doctrinal texts whilst engaging with critical reflections around the acquired knowledge. 

Exam schedule