KONS2010 - History and Theory of Conservation
Course content
The course begins with an introduction to ideas about the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage, starting in the late-medieval period, and through to the formation and development of professional conservation organisations and institutions. The role of science in conservation, historical perspectives of the debates around conservation questions, and the relationship between the two cultures of humanities and the natural sciences are covered, as are national and international agreements and laws in the support of the preservation of cultural heritage.
Throughout the course, fundamental principles within the conservation profession are clarified, with the aim to understand how these can be applied in the research and treatment of objects and collections. There is an emphasis on issues such as conflicts between fundamental principles and the ways that they have changed over time, both on a practical and theoretical level.
Lectures will address, among other topics: approaches to cleaning; restoration and reconstruction; notions of authenticity; codes of ethics; the ideal and reality of reversibility; the display of works of art and culturally significant objects; and opinions surrounding the ‘death’ of objects.
Learning outcome
On completion of this course, students will be expected to:
- describe the historical development of the conservation profession
- discuss national and international conservation conventions and charters
- evaluate the impact of conventions and charters on the profession
- justify the role of science in conservation
- defend the ethical framework of conservation
- appreciate the rights of the different stakeholders within cultural heritage
- argue for authenticity and differing values associated with cultural heritage
- communicate arguments in written academic form
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
You are recommended to take KONS1000 - Introduction to conservation and collection care before KONS2010.
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with KONS4511 - Konserveringshistorie, prosjektbasert konservering.Teaching
Lectures, 28 hours.
During the course the students have to give an obligatory short group presentation which needs to be approved by the lecturer in order for the students to sit the exam
The course uses Fronter as its learning environment for sharing teaching resources.
Examination
A 3 days home exam
The group presentation needs approval before the student can sit the exam.
Language of examination
You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Fagspesifikke karakterbeskrivelser for konservering
Explanations and appeals
En student kan be om begrunnelse, og klage på karakterfastsettingen og/eller formelle feil ved eksamen
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.
Other
Emnet inngår i 40-group - Bevaring og gjenstandskunnskap (40BEVG). Det gjelder egne opptakskrav og opptaksfrister til emnegruppen.
Minimum 5, maksimum 35 studenter.