| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 01253120 | Faculty of Humanities | Department: School of the Arts |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 2 years | Total credits: 180 | NQF level: 09 |
This programme is directed at a general education in preventive conservation/preservation and general collections-based management of tangible cultural heritage (TCH) resources, with a view to specialise in the management of TCH, preservation of TCH or conservation of TCH.
A limited number of places are available. Selection for the programme is on an individual basis and may require an interview.
The programme is offered over two years of which both years are presented at Van Wouw House, 299 Clark Street, Brooklyn. All modules must be passed to progress to the second year of the programme at or carried out under supervision in a partner institution or under supervision in private practice. Students are required to attend relevant departmental seminars as well as local conferences to present aspects of their research project. A poster presentation of their research report is strongly recommended. Students must conduct 5-6 months of conservation or collections-based research by the end of the master’s programme and demonstrate mastery over basic conservation techniques. The MSocSci (Tangible Heritage Conservation) by coursework can be completed in segments as part of continuing professional development.
A student must pass all the modules at the end of the first year of study. Students who do not successfully complete the first year of the programme will not be admitted to the second year.
In addition to the successful completion for all modules, all the students are required to perform the following as part of their continuous assessment:
• Perform on outreach activities
• Participate in the departmental seminar series when in residence
• Submit a draft article to an accredited publication at the end of their study
• Demonstrate mastery over basic and intermediate preservation and conservation interventions
• Complete a 5 to 6 weeks full-time (or 9–10 weeks part-time) supervised and documented internship
• Submit a mini-dissertation of 20 000–30 000 words on an approved conservation topic.
Module content:
This introductory module reviews the significance, value and use of cultural heritage, as well as the roles and responsibilities of its custodians within relevant professional, ethical and legislative frameworks. This module has both theoretical and practical components where preservation and collections care principles and strategies will be examined, practised, reviewed, and discussed for appropriate decision-making. In addition, the module will consider the shifts, conflicts and tensions in the museum and will critically examine the frictions between the global and the local in an attempt to reimagine the institution in the contemporary moment.
Module content:
An introductory chemistry module specifically tailored at enabling students with no previous science background to gain a greater insight into the chemical processes present in the practices and techniques used in conservation. Module content focusses on major conservation issues including material types, environment, cleaning and deterioration.
Module content:
This module focusses on the research involved in conservation, aspects of collections-based research including documentation of artefacts, photography, the preparation of research projects, writing project proposals and academic writing for publication. This module has both theoretical and practical components where students will examine, document and carry out analyses on a variety of museum objects.
Module content:
This module explores the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of organic, inorganic and synthetic base materials. It explores the technology and manufacturing processes involved in creating or assembling a variety of heritage objects. Each material type is explored in dedicated block sessions where individual objects are discussed according to material types and properties, potential risks and weaknesses identified, and appropriate storage, exhibition and handling guidelines examined. This module has both theoretical and practical components where students will learn to differentiate between material types, isolating different component parts of composite objects and learning about examination, documentation and record keeping in conservation. The introductory principles of remedial conservation will be explored from treatment options and evaluation with final decision-making processes for appropriate treatment options for cleaning, stabilisation and conservation of artefacts.
Module content:
A mini-dissertation of 20 000– 30 000 word on an approved conservation-based topic.
Module content:
Practice forms an integral part of interventive conservation to apply theoretical knowledge on treatment evaluation and development, decision-making and to hone bench skills. This is a compulsory module for training in interventive/remedial conservation in the field of specialisation of the students choosing, dependant on the availability of the particular field of specialisation available at the University. Training is carried out under supervision within a museum collection or in private practice with an approved conservator-restorer and contains the practical component of the mini-dissertation.
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