Philosophy (PHIL) 334

Overview

Philosophy 334: Professional Ethics in Heritage Resources Management examines the ways that ethical issues and moral theories shape heritage practice as well as critical methods for analyzing and evaluating a variety of positions on these issues. These issues and theories are approached through an understanding of moral reasoning as well as the various principles in ethics that have been accepted as framing heritage practice. It also deals with formal ethical guidelines and less formal rules that govern practice. Through this course students will gain an understanding of the reasons and imperatives for ethical behavior in professional life, and the unique ethical dilemmas that heritage practitioners face in regards to collection, preservation, representation and exhibition. This course is divided into two parts. Part I, “An Introduction to Professional Ethics in Heritage Resources Management” presents conceptual and foundational issues, while Part II, “Ethical Issues in Heritage Resources Management” discusses ethical issues that are specifically raised in heritage resources practice. Although it is unlikely that all moral and ethical dilemmas can be resolved, it is the intent of this course to offer both the structural background in traditional and modern philosophies of ethics and morals, and a variety of approaches to some key questions or problems.

Phil 334 is a required course in the Heritage Resources Management program, but welcomes all students.

Outline

Part I: An Introduction to Professional Ethics in Heritage Resources Management

Unit 1: What is a Profession?

Unit 2: Heritage Resources Management and Ethical Codes

Unit 3: Moral and Ethical Principles for Heritage Resources Management: Foundations of Ethical Practice

Unit 4: Institutional versus Personal Ethics: Policies, Procedures, and Virtue Ethics

Unit 5: Legal, Cultural, and Ethical Responsibility: Cultural and Intellectual Property

 

Part II: Ethical Issues in Heritage Resources Management

Unit 6: Standards of Ethics in Conservation and Heritage Management

Unit 7: Cultural Relativism: Appropriation, Human Remains, and Indigenous “Others”

Unit 8: Feminist Ethics and Heritage Resources Management

Unit 9: Censorship and Heritage Ethics

Unit 10: Conflict of Interest, Looting, and Repatriation

Unit 11: Stewardship, Heritage Discourse, and Justice

Evaluation

To receive credit in PHIL 334 you must complete all of the assignments and write the final examination and achieve a minimum composite course grade of “D” (50 percent). The chart below summarized course activities and the credit weight associated with each assignment.

Assignment 1: Critical Essay	Assignment 2: Case Study	Final Examination	Total
30%	35%	35%	100%

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

Course Materials

Other Materials

The course materials include a course information manual, study guide, and a reading file.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the PHIL 334 challenge registration, you must complete the two parts of the challenge exam and achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on both parts.

Essay	Exam	Total
40%	60%	100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form