Protection and Development of Cultural Heritages
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
To provide knowledge and strengthen the skills related to the museum as a space for the preservation and interpretation of both the material and the intangible heritage of societies and individuals, within a framework (provided above all by the Anglo-Saxon and Dutch experiences) that focuses on social justice, authorship, the enhancement of participation.
To favor a critical reading of the museum - in particular the public museum - as a discursive, dynamic and "political" space.
To encourage awareness of the profound interaction between the museum discourse and the tensions that run through societies.
To practice in the interpretative reading of contemporaneity.
To favor a critical reading of the museum - in particular the public museum - as a discursive, dynamic and "political" space.
To encourage awareness of the profound interaction between the museum discourse and the tensions that run through societies.
To practice in the interpretative reading of contemporaneity.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the major trends in museology from the 70s to today.
Knowledge of the strong themes of migration museums, intended as a case study of a methodology that can also be extended to other types of museums.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Awareness of the curatorial and authorial dimension underlying in the museum discourse (semiologycal field).
Familiarity with the basic concepts of post-colonial studies and ability to critically read their main contents.
Knowledge of the strong themes of migration museums, intended as a case study of a methodology that can also be extended to other types of museums.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Awareness of the curatorial and authorial dimension underlying in the museum discourse (semiologycal field).
Familiarity with the basic concepts of post-colonial studies and ability to critically read their main contents.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
In caso di descrizione mancante in inglese di insegnamento e/o modulo indicarla qui:
The course deals with the radical transformation of the museum (not just the art museum), as a contemporary, complex cultural and political device, with a focus on the period from the Seventies up to today and on some central issued of the recent debate.
In particular:
- the museum as a political space and an arena for the negotiation of conflicts and "difficult heritage";
- the question of repatriations in the post-colonial museum;
- the museology of migration;
- the fluid boundaries among museum, memorial and monument;
- the emergence of "difficult memories" and their museum display.
In the first part of the course we will analyze the definition of "conservation and enhancement" related to the museum field by analyzing the reference texts and we will trace a historical and theoretical perimeter of contemporary social museology accompanied by the analysis of international case studies.
In the second part a few thematic "trends" will be analyzed, highlighting the critical knots that cross contemporary museology in relation to society and its transformations.
The course includes the intervention of one or more experts who will share their professional experience; if the number of students allows it, it will be possible to plan an exit to visit a museum or an exhibition related to the topics of the course.
During the lessons some readings (uploaded online) will be suggested to support and accompany the reflection; students are asked to read the texts between one lesson and another.
The course deals with the radical transformation of the museum (not just the art museum), as a contemporary, complex cultural and political device, with a focus on the period from the Seventies up to today and on some central issued of the recent debate.
In particular:
- the museum as a political space and an arena for the negotiation of conflicts and "difficult heritage";
- the question of repatriations in the post-colonial museum;
- the museology of migration;
- the fluid boundaries among museum, memorial and monument;
- the emergence of "difficult memories" and their museum display.
In the first part of the course we will analyze the definition of "conservation and enhancement" related to the museum field by analyzing the reference texts and we will trace a historical and theoretical perimeter of contemporary social museology accompanied by the analysis of international case studies.
In the second part a few thematic "trends" will be analyzed, highlighting the critical knots that cross contemporary museology in relation to society and its transformations.
The course includes the intervention of one or more experts who will share their professional experience; if the number of students allows it, it will be possible to plan an exit to visit a museum or an exhibition related to the topics of the course.
During the lessons some readings (uploaded online) will be suggested to support and accompany the reflection; students are asked to read the texts between one lesson and another.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of contemporary age history.
Basic knowledge of the history of museology.
Basic knowledge of the history of museology.
Teaching methods
The lessons alternate the articulation of a historical and theoretical framework with the analysis of case studies.
Throughout the course, in-depth texts will be proposed, uploaded online, to be considered as an integral part of the course: their reading is therefore not optional, but functional for the deepening and development of specific knowledges and skills. The discussion of these texts constitutes an important moment in the developement of the course.
Experts from different fields (historians, scholars, artists ) will be invited; they will bring their testimony "from the field", in a dynamic encounter with the reality of the museum professions.
Throughout the course, in-depth texts will be proposed, uploaded online, to be considered as an integral part of the course: their reading is therefore not optional, but functional for the deepening and development of specific knowledges and skills. The discussion of these texts constitutes an important moment in the developement of the course.
Experts from different fields (historians, scholars, artists ) will be invited; they will bring their testimony "from the field", in a dynamic encounter with the reality of the museum professions.
Teaching Resources
Attendance at the course is highly recommended for everyone, and is obviously indispensable for students who intend to request a thesis on the subject.
Exam program for attending students
Teaching unit A (3 credits)
- Topics covered during the course (including reading and in-depth knowledge of the texts made available online).
- Carlo Tosco, I beni culturali. Storia, tutela e valorizzazione, il Mulino, Bologna 2014 or Patrizia Dragoni, Processo al museo. Sessant'anni di dibattito sulla valorizzazione museale in Italia, Edifir, Firenze 2010
- Cecilia Ribaldi (ed.), Il nuovo museo. Origini e percorsi, il Saggiatore, Milano 2005.
Teaching unit B (3 credits)
- Topics covered during the course (including reading and in-depth knowledge of the texts made available online).
- Anna Chiara Cimoli, Approdi, Musei delle migrazioni in Europa, Clueb, Bologna 2018.
Exam program for non-attending students
- Carlo Tosco, I beni culturali. Storia, tutela e valorizzazione, il Mulino, Bologna 2014
- Anna Chiara Cimoli, Approdi, Musei delle migrazioni in Europa, Clueb, Bologna 2018.
- Patrizia Dragoni, Processo al museo. Sessant'anni di dibattito sulla valorizzazione museale in Italia, Edifir, Firenze 2010.
- Cecilia Ribaldi (ed.), Il nuovo museo. Origini e percorsi, il Saggiatore, Milano 2005.
Plus one book chosen among the following:
- Jean-Loup Amselle, Il museo in scena. L'alterità culturale e la sua rappresentazione negli spazi del museo, Meltemi, Milano 2017.
- Michela Bassanelli, Oltre il memoriale. Le tracce, lo spazio, il ricordo, Mimesis, Milano 2017.
- Claire Bishop, Museologia radicale, Johan and Levi, Monza 2017.
- Robert R. Janes e Richard Sandell (eds.), Museum Activism, Routledge, Oxon 2018 (also available as an e-book).
- Franco Russoli, Senza utopia non si fa la realtà. Scritti sul museo (1952-1977), Skira, Milano 2017.
- Hugues de Varine, Le radici del futuro. Il patrimonio culturale al servizio dello sviluppo locale, Clueb, Bologna 2005.
Exam program for attending students
Teaching unit A (3 credits)
- Topics covered during the course (including reading and in-depth knowledge of the texts made available online).
- Carlo Tosco, I beni culturali. Storia, tutela e valorizzazione, il Mulino, Bologna 2014 or Patrizia Dragoni, Processo al museo. Sessant'anni di dibattito sulla valorizzazione museale in Italia, Edifir, Firenze 2010
- Cecilia Ribaldi (ed.), Il nuovo museo. Origini e percorsi, il Saggiatore, Milano 2005.
Teaching unit B (3 credits)
- Topics covered during the course (including reading and in-depth knowledge of the texts made available online).
- Anna Chiara Cimoli, Approdi, Musei delle migrazioni in Europa, Clueb, Bologna 2018.
Exam program for non-attending students
- Carlo Tosco, I beni culturali. Storia, tutela e valorizzazione, il Mulino, Bologna 2014
- Anna Chiara Cimoli, Approdi, Musei delle migrazioni in Europa, Clueb, Bologna 2018.
- Patrizia Dragoni, Processo al museo. Sessant'anni di dibattito sulla valorizzazione museale in Italia, Edifir, Firenze 2010.
- Cecilia Ribaldi (ed.), Il nuovo museo. Origini e percorsi, il Saggiatore, Milano 2005.
Plus one book chosen among the following:
- Jean-Loup Amselle, Il museo in scena. L'alterità culturale e la sua rappresentazione negli spazi del museo, Meltemi, Milano 2017.
- Michela Bassanelli, Oltre il memoriale. Le tracce, lo spazio, il ricordo, Mimesis, Milano 2017.
- Claire Bishop, Museologia radicale, Johan and Levi, Monza 2017.
- Robert R. Janes e Richard Sandell (eds.), Museum Activism, Routledge, Oxon 2018 (also available as an e-book).
- Franco Russoli, Senza utopia non si fa la realtà. Scritti sul museo (1952-1977), Skira, Milano 2017.
- Hugues de Varine, Le radici del futuro. Il patrimonio culturale al servizio dello sviluppo locale, Clueb, Bologna 2005.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment method: oral, or an interview on the topics of the program aimed at ascertaining the knowledge and ability of critical interpretation of the notions acquired by the student.
Evaluation criteria:
For students who attend the lessons: knowledge and critical reading skills of the topics covered in class and of the texts to be studied; active participation during lessons; regularity in reading the texts and themes that will be proposed from time to time.
For non-attending students, the knowledge and critical reading skills of the topics dealt with and the texts to be studied, inserted within their specific education as well as cultural growth path.
Evaluation criteria:
For students who attend the lessons: knowledge and critical reading skills of the topics covered in class and of the texts to be studied; active participation during lessons; regularity in reading the texts and themes that will be proposed from time to time.
For non-attending students, the knowledge and critical reading skills of the topics dealt with and the texts to be studied, inserted within their specific education as well as cultural growth path.
Unita' didattica A
SECS-P/07 - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
SECS-P/07 - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours