Heritage Resources Management (HERM) 312

Overview

HERM 312 is based on the premise that the principles of historical thinking and analysis are fundamental to heritage practice. The course focuses on the practice, skills, and understandings of applied historical research. Heritage research provides balanced and accurate information for the identification, collection, documentation, evaluation, conservation, and interpretation of a broad range of heritage resources, both tangible and intangible.

HERM 312 introduces multiple types of sources of evidence ranging from documentary—comprising textual and visual sources—to oral interviews, artifacts, archaeological resources, buildings, and cultural landscapes. The course includes extensive web-based readings and introduces the use of online search tools and digital resource collections in libraries, archives, and museums. Attention is given to interpreting primary documents and the ability to identify bias and intent, the nature and value of pictorial records, and their use in heritage research.

Students will study methodology and sources for material culture research in support of collection management and the development of exhibits, furnishing plans, and interpretive programming. Issues and considerations underlying the practical steps of oral history interviewing will also be introduced, as well as the use of maps and Historic Geographic Information Systems (HGIS) as a documentary source and research tool for the study of historic landscapes.

This course offers experiential understanding of planning and undertaking research for those working in any area of heritage resources management, from curators, archivists, interpreters, and programmers to restoration specialists and managers.

Outline

HERM 312 introduces you to some of the central issues, sources, and skills for heritage research. The course is made up of ten units and requires you to do a number of readings and assignments.

• Unit 1—The Big Picture: Perspectives on Heritage Research and the Public
• Unit 2—Planning Heritage Research & Finding and Accessing Documentary Sources
• Unit 3—Documentary Sources: Evaluating and Interpreting Primary Text Records and Secondary Published Sources
• Unit 4—Documentary Sources: Examining Pictorial Records
• Unit 5—Oral History: Research Method and Documentary Source
• Unit 6—Material Culture: Artifact-Based Research and Source of Evidence
• Unit 7—Material Culture: Archaeological Resources and Heritage Research
• Unit 8—Architectural Heritage Resources: Documenting, Researching, and Interpreting Buildings
• Unit 9—The Resources of Place: Researching and Interpreting Landscapes
• Unit 10—Putting It All Together: A Case Study in Heritage Research

Course Objectives

HERM 312: Heritage Research introduces students to some of the formative issues and practices in heritage research. After completing the course, you should be able to:

• Explain the importance of research in the multidisciplinary field of Heritage Resources Management.
• Identify and use a wide range of documentary (both digital and non-digital) and non-documentary sources for various heritage research needs.
• Understand the problems, advantages, and issues that arise when using various types of sources of evidence including documentary research, oral history, and material culture.
• Plan and undertake basic historical research on a given topic, using a variety of source types, and present your findings in an appropriate format.

Evaluation

To receive credit in HERM 312, you must complete all the assignments and achieve a minimum course composite grade of D (50 percent). All assignments must be completed and submitted before your final mark can be calculated. The chart below summarizes the course activities and the credit weight associated with each assignment.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.