Master of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) 752

Overview

This Special Topics Graduate Seminar course introduces students to aspects of historic, current, and future thinking on heritage, landscape, and sustainable development goals through a series of dialogues with established leaders in the field. The class discussions are enriched by the insights and perspectives of highly experienced professionals who have held key positions in international organizations, their career paths, and what they see as priorities, emerging trends, and key challenges.

The course comprises directed readings aligned with a series of live online seminars with senior international actors in the fields of landscape and heritage. The course aims to engage students in in-depth dialogues on the roles, challenges, and current thinking shaping the sector in the twenty-first century. Advocated by various international bodies, the principles that culture and cultural heritage represent—namely a co-authored, co-owned public resource (Faro Convention) and the fourth pillar of sustainable development—have been game-changers in the sector, affecting professional practice at all levels. Drawing from the experiences of senior professionals in the field, this course will explore and critique elements of the international landscape and heritage infrastructure, overarching paradigms, and live debates and issues.

The synchronous virtual seminars (which take place at several-week intervals) are supported by directed readings and discussion forums and sessions. Students will join the seminars along with students in the MA in Landscape, Archaeology, and Heritage program at the University of Galway (Ireland).

This course is designed for students who are interested in the Canadian and international theoretical frameworks, perspectives, and professional practices involving heritage and landscapes. It is also intended for those who want to explore career paths in the field and gain insight into possible work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. 

Outline

The course consists of four units on important issues and topics in landscapes, heritage, and sustainability as well as five synchronous (live) virtual sessions with guest speakers, each of whom hold key positions in international organizations. The tentative date for each virtual session is included below.

• Synchronous Virtual Session 1: Course Introductory Session: With Dr. Shabnam Inanloo Dailoo (Associate Professor & Director, Heritage Resources Management, Athabasca University) and Mr. Conor Newman (Senior lecturer, University of Galway (Ireland)). January 12, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am MST.
• Unit 1: Landscapes and Heritage provides a framework for the study of the notion of landscape as a heritage place.
  • Synchronous Virtual Session 2: International Guest Speaker Presentation 1: With Mr. Graham Fairclough (Principal Research Associate at New Castle University, researcher and policy advisor on heritage and landscape (UK)). January 26, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am MST
• Unit 2: Cultural Landscapes deals with the international frameworks involving cultural landscapes and culture–nature interconnectedness.
  • Synchronous Virtual Session 3: International Guest Speaker Presentation 2: With Dr. Mechtild Rössler (International heritage expert (nature/culture & cultural landscapes), former Director UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Germany)). February 16, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am MST.

• Unit 3: Landscapes and Heritage Policies is concerned with cultural landscape as a holistic approach in addressing societal needs and global challenges and achieving integrated culture–nature solutions.
  • Synchronous Virtual Session 4: International Guest Speaker Presentation 3: With Dr. Ana Schoebel (Textile Conservator, Institute of Spanish Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture (Spain), former Programme Manager for European Cultural Heritage Strategy for 21st century, Culture and Heritage Division, Council of Europe). March 16, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am MST.
• Unit 4: Landscapes, Heritage, and Sustainability examines debates about sustainability and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the context of cultural landscapes and discusses the ways to link landscape/heritage conservation with the movement of sustainable development globally.
  • Synchronous Virtual Session 5: International Guest Speaker Presentation 4: With Mr. Gabriel Caballero (ICOMOS International Focal Point for the Sustainable Development Goals for 2021–2023, landscape architect and independent world heritage specialist (The Philippines)). April 6, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am MST.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Critically assess international infrastructure of landscape and heritage policy and practice, and discuss their implications within national and local contexts.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the connectivity between landscape, heritage, and sustainability.
• Discuss current debates in landscape and heritage sustainability.
• Gain advanced professional insights through discussions with international experts in the field and be more prepared for a career in the heritage field.

Evaluation

To receive credit for MAIS 752, you must participate in the online discussion activities, successfully complete the assignments, attend the five synchronous virtual meetings, and achieve a final mark of at least C− (60 percent).

Materials

All materials, including a Course Information manual, required readings, and weekly activities, will be available online through the course site. Teleconferencing information for the synchronous virtual sessions will be provided closer to the date.

Important links

• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Focus Areas
• Courses
• Fees and Funding