3 credits, 15 weeks, asynchronous MOOC class
PAMS Humanities Course

Cost for guest students: $100

Museums, archaeology and heritage play an important role in contemporary society. They are not simply about static objects showing us a distant past; rather they have cultural significance and continue to have impact and meaning throughout time. This impact and meaning are not the same for everyone and can change over time. It can vary from culture to culture, generation to generation and even person to person, and the sometimes-disparate viewpoints of individuals and groups can and do lead to conflict.

The aim of this course is to focus on the problems and dilemmas that arise in an ever-changing world where the values placed upon the objects in museums, the museums themselves, archaeology and heritage are shifting and may be seen as outdated, unethical or contentious. At the same time, by learning about the divergent viewpoints of stakeholders, past and present, this course will allow students a greater understanding of the importance of the past to different people and cultures, leave them more empathetic to the viewpoints of others and provide them with the skills to recognize and deal with situations that may cause cultural (or other) conflict, thus helping them on their path to becoming global citizens.