AIM723 - Heritage Interpretation

Content

Today, “heritage” must be “interpreted”. The invention of cultural heritage shifted what were once objects, places and traditions in daily life into an artificial domain. They exist now in institutions such as historic sites and museums, curated by professionals, and presented to the public via exhibitions and guided tours, featuring old and new technologies. Thus interpretive communication forms are coloured by the political implications of constructing versions of meaning, such as national identity. This unit addresses the ethical challenges of shaping public knowledge of cultural heritage via interpretation — grounded in the concepts of significance, authenticity and learning. Key issues are public accountability, cultural diversity and social justice.