About this course: In this course you will learn to articulate your own concepts about (threatened) heritage and that of others. What is your heritage? Who defines heritage? Why is heritage under threat? How can we protect heritage? WW1, WW2, Cold war politics and contemporary conflicts as well as continuing political and socio-economic inequalities and colonial pasts are all factors playing a role in the global heritage discussions and approaches to (or lack of ) valorization and protection of heritage. Hence, issues behind destruction or threats to heritage are related to complex issues, often connected to complex landscapes of wars, the war-on-terror, fundamentalism, migration, global warming, financial crises, inequality and diverse interests of local communities. This course, sponsored by the LDE Centre for Global Heritage and Development and the Honours Academy of Leiden University, and the Netherlands Commission for UNESCO gave its support to one of the sections of the MOOC, will explore these issues. We wish to engage global communities and widen the perspective on threatened heritage. You can help us with this.
Who is this class for: This course does not require previous knowledge on the subject. It is aimed at both practioners in the field, and people who are concerned in general over situations of failed governance or neglect in regards to heritage. This course is free, and will remain free for participants. You can purchase a certificate.
Created by: Universiteit Leiden, Centre for Global Heritage and Development
Taught by: Dr. Sada Mire, Assistant Professor
Faculty of Archeology, LDE Centre for Global Heritage and Development
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Welcome to this course
Great that you are joining us! In this course you will learn about your heritage and how you can preserve it. Before you start with studying we invite you to first go through our introduction module and introduce yourself in the forum to meet your fellow learners. If you encounter any difficulties while studying, please let us know on the forum. For technical difficulties or questions regarding the course certificate, you can always contact the Coursera Learner Helpdesk. Good luck & we hope you will enjoy studying in this course!
2 videos, 6 readings
- Video: Introduction to this course
- Reading: Meet the instructor & her team
- Reading: How to pass this course & obtain your certificate
- Reading: Welcome to Leiden University and the Centre for Global Heritage and Development
- Reading: Study tips for studying online
- Reading: Being succesful in an international virtual learning community
- Reading: How to behave in an academic way
- Video: Short welcome from Bellinzona, Switzerland
What is your heritage?
Hi everybody and welcome to the first module of this MOOC! We have an exciting course prepared for you, with a large variety of topics to be discussed. Some of which can become quite technical, but are necessary in order for you to understand the frameworks we are dealing with. For this week however, we are starting somewhat slowly and view cultural heritage from a very personal point of view. This is important because, as you will also learn later, a personal view and inclusive heritage is one of the main ways to go forward and battle for heritage which is under threat. We'd like you to introduce yourself to your fellow students before diving into the content, so make sure to select the next discussion prompt first!
8 videos, 4 readings
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce yourself
- Video: What is your heritage?
- Video: Expert interview: Koosje Spitz
- Video: Expert interview: Peter Pels
- Video: Research methods
- Video: Expert interview Amy Strecker
- Reading: Reading for week 1
- Reading: Introduction to this case study
- Video: Personal Heritage
- Reading: Personal heritage of the experts
- Video: Closing remarks from Sada
- Discussion Prompt: Choose your heritage
- Video: Example of personal Heritage: Linden tree
- Reading: Honors Track Reading for week 1
Graded: On the concept of heritage
Graded: Portfolio: your heritage
WEEK 2
Heritage and inequality
Hi everybody welcome to the second module! Last week we talked about the concept of heritage and how heritage can be very personal. This week we will dive into how heritage is actually defined, both within the field of (archaeological) heritage management, as well as for local communities. We will also discuss various forms of inequality which unfortunately can come with defining and framing something as heritage. Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!
12 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Introduction to week 2
- Video: Who defines heritage
- Video: Who defines heritage? Expert interview with Amy Strecker
- Video: Conceptualising heritage. Expert interview with Dick Douwes
- Video: Who defines heritage? Expert interview with Koosje Spitz from UNESCO
- Video: The changing values of heritage. Expert interview with Koosje Spitz
- Video: Indigenous definition of 'heritage'. Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo
- Reading: Intersection of race, inequality and heritage
- Video: What is shared about World Heritage? Expert Interview: Koosje Spitz
- Video: The relation between nation-state and heritage. Expert Interview: Dick Douwes
- Video: Can world heritage embrace diversity? Expert Interview: Amy Strecker
- Video: Should UNESCO be involved in heritage? Expert Interview: Amy Strecker
- Reading: Reading for week 2
- Reading: Schokland and surroundings
- Video: Closing remarks from Sada
- Discussion Prompt: Your definition of heritage
- Reading: Honors Track reading for week 2
Graded: On the definition of cultural heritage
Graded: Portfolio: defining your heritage site
WEEK 3
Heritage, communities and ownership
Hi everybody welcome to the third module!Last week we talked about the definition of heritage and how this can sometimes invoke inequality. This week we will discuss the role of communities and the impact of heritage ownership. Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!Have fun!
11 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Introduction to week 3
- Video: Who owns heritage?
- Video: Expert Interview: Amy Strecker
- Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo
- Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo
- Video: Expert Interview: Peter Pels
- Video: Expert Interview: Koosje Spitz
- Reading: Ownership and Contested Heritage
- Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo
- Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders
- Video: Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo
- Reading: Reading for week 3
- Reading: Contested collections - Benin heritage
- Video: Closing remarks from Sada
- Discussion Prompt: Your views on communities and ownership
- Reading: Honors Track reading for week 3
Graded: On the ownership of cultural heritage
Graded: Portfolio: who owns your heritage?
WEEK 4
Heritage threats
Hi all! Welcome to the fourth module!Last week we talked about local communities and the impact of heritage ownership. This week we will dive into the various threats to heritage, both anthropogenic as well as natural. We also have a very interesting, relevant and timely case study prepared for you! Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!
10 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Introduction to week 4
- Video: Why is heritage under threat?
- Video: Expert Interview: Amy Strecker
- Video: Expert Interview: Mariana Francozo
- Video: Expert Interview: Peter Pels
- Video: Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo
- Video: Expert interview Dominique Ngan-Tillard
- Reading: Loss of histories, knowledge and heritage
- Video: Expert Interview: Dick Douwes
- Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders
- Reading: Reading for week 4
- Reading: The Al Mahdi case: Intentional destruction
- Video: Closing remarks from Sada
- Discussion Prompt: Your views on the threats to heritage
- Discussion Prompt: (Re)construct a threatened heritage site in Minecraft
- Reading: Honors Track reading for week 4
Graded: On the threats to cultural heritage
Graded: Portfolio: Threats to your heritage
WEEK 5
Heritage protection
Hi all! Welcome to the fifth module!Last week we discussed the various threats to heritage, both man-made as well as natural. This week we will discuss how we can actually protect cultural heritage and which measures we have at our disposal to do so. Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study!
8 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Introduction to week 5
- Video: How can we protect heritage?
- Video: How can we best protect heritage? Expert Interview: Peter Pels
- Video: Expert Interview: Amy Strecker
- Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders
- Video: How can new techniques help us protect heritage under threat? Expert Interview: Dominique Ngan-Tillard
- Reading: How to protect Heritage?
- Video: Expert Interview: Koosje Spitz
- Reading: Reading for week 5
- Reading: Lessons from the ICC Al-Mahdi Case
- Video: Closing remarks from Sada
- Discussion Prompt: Your views on protecting heritage
- Reading: Honors Track reading for week 5
Graded: On the protection of cultural heritage
Graded: Portfolio: protecting your heritage
WEEK 6
Inclusive heritage
Hi all! Welcome to the sixth and last module! Did you enjoy the course thus far?Last week we talked about the opportunities we have to protect heritage. This final week we will discuss how heritage can be utilized to create an inclusive, sensitive and thoughtful society. We will also discuss some of the more technological developments going on in the world of video games and virtual reality, all helping to create an open and inclusive heritage discourse. Let us know what you think! Please watch the video's we have prepared for you first and then proceed with the quizz and case study! Good luck with your final tasks!
9 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Introduction to week 6
- Video: How can we utilize heritage?
- Video: Expert Interview: Dominique Ngan-Tillard
- Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders
- Video: Expert Interview: Martijn Manders
- Video: Expert Interview: Manuel May Castillo
- Reading: Ways forward: Inclusive Heritage
- Video: Expert Interview: Dick Douwes
- Video: Expert Interview: Peter Pels
- Reading: Reading for week 6
- Reading: Inclusive heritage, VR and video games
- Video: Closing remarks from Sada
- Discussion Prompt: Your thoughts on the future of Heritage under Threat
- Reading: Honors Track reading for week 6
Graded: On inclusive heritage and the way forward
Graded: Portfolio: the future of your heritage
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Creators
Universiteit Leiden
Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.
Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It was founded in February 1575, as a gift from William of Orange to the citizens of Leiden after they had withstood a long siege by the Spanish. Our motto is: Praesidium Libertatis — Bastion of Liberty.
Centre for Global Heritage and Development
Ratings and Reviews
I truly enjoyed the videos, readings, and assignments given. Dr. Mire's work is so critical and has inspired me to challenge myself and the field to be more inclusive.
One of the finest courses dealing with heritage and its conservation.
This course had taught me a lot and offered amazing insight views about heritage worldwide. It broadened my previous (minor) knowledge about cultural and archaeological heritage. I would highly recommend this course to those interested in the topics of heritage!
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Excellent course with a lot of information, interesting cases and useful readings!