MHST6901: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

The historical, cultural and social roles of museums, heritage places and collections are the focus of contemporary debate. This unit examines the relationships between the production of cultural material, its management and display, and audience to understand museum and heritage sites as places of knowledge, politics and power. Current critical and theoretical perspectives incorporate ideas about the production, consumption, contestation and conservation of intangible values, identities, memories, cultural practices and different knowledge systems.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Art History
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MUSM7033
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Natali Pearson, natali.pearson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Chiara O'Reilly, chiara.oreilly@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Presentation Refer to Canvas for details	10%	Ongoing	10 mins or 500 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation Refer to Canvas for details	10%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short Essay Refer to Canvas for details	35%	Week 06 Due date: 01 Apr 2025 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Project Refer to Canvas for details	45%	Week 12 Due date: 20 May 2025 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ? = restricted AI ?

Assessment summary

Presentation

Each student will choose one of the assigned weekly readings. When it is your week, you will deliver a short presentation to the class about your reading. Students will be required to present in pairs and each pair should aim to speak for 10 minutes total (roughly 5 minutes per person).
Your presentation should be accompanied by no more than ONE PowerPoint slide. More detailed on the format of this slide is available in Canvas.
Following your presentation, you will be asked a series of questions about the chosen reading. Your engagement with the questions, and the effort you make to comprehend and respond to them, will count towards your presentation mark. These questions will be led by the class Respondent(s) for that week, with the support of your lecturer. Please refer to the Participation assessment for further information on the role of the Respondent.
Please be assured that the weekly presentations and facilitated discussions will take place in a supportive classroom environment. Presenters are welcome to take as much time as is needed to answer the questions posed, and are not expected to deliver polished replies. As teaching staff, we aim to create a collegial and supportive environment that allows you the opportunity to explore your ideas together.
This assessment is designed to support the development of key graduate qualities, in particular: depth of disciplinary expertise; critical thinking and problem solving; oral and written communication; information and digital literacy; and inventiveness.

Participation

Each student will choose one of the assigned weekly readings. You will not deliver a presentation about this reading; instead, you will pose questions about the reading to the Presenter (see above), in order to facilitate class discussion. The minimum length for this discussion should be 10 mins. To do this, Respondents should choose 2-3 questions from the pre-prepared list of Discussion Questions (available in Canvas); Respondents are also welcome and encouraged to pose their own bespoke questions. All members of the class are encouraged to ask additional questions so that a generative classroom discussion unfolds.
Students must play the role of Respondent at least once to pass this assessment. You may sign up to act as Respondent more than once if space permits. Your grade for this assessment will primarily be assessed according to your effort and performance as Respondent in your selected week. Higher participation grades can also be attained by going beyond the 2-3 sample questions (i.e. asking one or two well-chosen questions of your own); and / or being an attentive, supportive and engaged contributor during class presentations. Very poor attendance or participation in seminars throughout the course also has the potential to impact on the overall participation grade.
This assessment is designed to support the development of key graduate qualities, in particular: depth of disciplinary expertise; critical thinking and problem solving; oral and written communication; information and digital literacy; and inventiveness.

Short Essay

Answer the following question: how do museums and heritage sites reflect and/or continue to draw on their own institutional history? You will need to focus on two specific examples in your discussion to answer the question. You should discuss different examples from those considered in your presentation. Your short essay should be 1500 words.
This assessment is designed to support the development of key graduate qualities, in particular: depth of disciplinary expertise; critical thinking and problem solving; oral and written communication; information and digital literacy; inventiveness, and influence.
In accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy (2022), submitted work must be the student's own original work and thought. While use of AI is permitted, students must clearly acknowledge and reference all use of automated writing tools and generative AI.

Research Project

Students will conduct an in-depth analysis of a Sydney-based cultural institution or heritage site, examining its historical development, cultural significance, and contemporary relevance through the theoretical frameworks discussed in the course. This assessment encourages the use of different writing genres and styles, including personal / reflective; scholarly; and public-facing.
Students must choose from a pre-prepared list of museum and heritage sites, available in Canvas. Students must choose a different institution/site from the Short Essay.
The Research Project should total 2500 words, structured as follows:
- Field notes (400 words)
- Historical and theoretical analysis (1300 words )
- Contemporary considerations (400 words)
- Public facing resource (400 words)
This assessment is designed to support the development of key graduate qualities, in particular: depth of disciplinary expertise; critical thinking and problem solving; oral and written communication; information and digital literacy; inventiveness, and influence.
In accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy (2022), submitted work must be the student's own original work and thought. While use of AI is permitted, students must clearly acknowledge and reference all use of automated writing tools and generative AI.

For more information on all assessments, including due dates, rubrics and specific instructions, please refer to Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Further information about the assessments is available in Canvas, including Rubrics for each assessment. Note that we are piloting new modes of assessment this semester to align with the University's policies on generative / artificial intelligence.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with Faculty guidelines

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Collecting and Collections: A historical perspective	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Collecting and Collections: A historical perspective	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Modern Museums: Knowledge, power & consumption	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Modern Museums: Knowledge, power & consumption	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	The What, Why and When of Heritage	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	The What, Why and When of Heritage	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Museums & Nationalism	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Museums & Nationalism	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Global Heritage Governance	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Global Heritage Governance	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	The Museum as Forum	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	The Museum as Forum	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Site visit (details TBC)	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 09	Crossing Disciplines, Crossing Cultures: Museums and Heritage in our region	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Crossing Disciplines, Crossing Cultures: Museums and Heritage in our region	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Decolonising museums and heritage	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Decolonising museums and heritage	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Globalisation: Authenticity and experience	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Globalisation: Authenticity and experience	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Heritage, Activism and Social Justice	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Heritage, Activism and Social Justice	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Summary and discussion	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through “Reading List” tab available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. have a body of knowledge about the history of the museum and about the development of heritage as a field of knowledge and practice
LO2. engage in and understand contemporary debates in museum and heritage studies
LO3. demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of museums and heritage in society

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Aspects of the course (including lecture/seminar topics, assessments, and site visits) are continually reviewed and reconsidered in response to student feedback and to ensure alignment with relevant University policies.

Additional information

NB The weekly topics are current at the time of release of the Unit of study outline but are subject to change during the semester. Please refer to the Canvas site as the most current and up-to-date source of information for this course.

Announcements and updates will be made via the Canvas page to your University of Sydney student email.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 28 Mar 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MHST6901: Museum and Heritage: History and Theory

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect