Heritage Studies University of Cambridge

Overview

The Heritage Studies course from the University of Cambridge

overall aims are:

• To enable students to attain a critical appreciation of the development of heritage as a public enterprise, its theory, its values and uses. By the end of the course, students are expected to understand the broader context in which the heritage sector operates, the approaches and methods employed by professionals in the field, and to be able to enter a range of professions within the heritage industry.
• To enable students to think both reflectively and analytically about the field and the nature of heritage. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to apply their critical thinking and knowledge about heritage to particular specialisations and be able to pursue independent research in their field of specialisation.

• To give students training in a range of general, transferable skills, such as analysing and formulating arguments, writing, presentation, debate, and research skills. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to exercise these skills in any professional-level work which requires them.

Upon successful completion of this MPhil, students should have:

• a clear understanding of the broader context in which the heritage sector operates;

• the ability to think critically and independently about heritage based on an understanding of the different theoretical approaches in the Heritage Studies field;

• in-depth knowledge of the ethical, epistemic and political implications of heritage theory and practice;

• a broad and critical understanding of the diverse issues involved in heritage management, as well as an understanding of the types of agents and instruments involved;

• developed their critical faculties to both think and write analytically about heritage as well as to assess heritage writing, research and practice;

• transferable skills, such as writing, presentation and data analysis, that allow them to enter a range of professions within the heritage industry and beyond.