Space, place and landscape

The course is included in the Master study programme in Conservation, and can also be taught as a stand alone course.

The course can be part of the following programme: 1) Master of Science in Conservation (N2KUV)

Bachelor in Conservation (180 credits) or equivalent. Students with other academic background relevant to the subject area of cultural heritage corresponding to at least degree (180 credits) can after consideration be given access to the course.

English 5 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS, is a requirement.

The spatial dimension of the cultural environment is the main focus of this course, starting from the simple questions: What is a place? What is a landscape? In order to understand what gives specific places and landscapes their character, we will delve into the historical, ecological and cultural processes that together have shaped and are constantly shaping them.

Landscapes and places are constantly changing. In this course, we examine how places and landscapes are developing and changing, and how these processes can be explored from different perspectives. Interpreting the historical traces of the landscape provides insight into the relationships – biological, social and others – that give each place its distinctive character. The course provides training in viewing the same environment from different angles, supported by teachers and course literature from the different scholarly perspectives that are united in the transdisciplinary subject of heritage conservation (in Swedish: kulturvård).

Issues of care and value, and what opportunities there are to preserve the changeable, are investigated during the course. With a main focus on environments beyond the most densely populated urban centers, the course includes critical examination of the concepts nature and culture. Research on possible ways to bridge the established boundaries between land and city, material and immaterial, human and nonhuman, will be discussed. The course aims to shed light on the possibilities that interdisciplinary perspectives offer, in order to break the silo mentality that too often characterizes the work of caring for and protecting places and landscapes.

Field studies form a central element of the course, in combination with lectures, seminars, workshops and study visits. In-depth assignments are carried out both individually and in groups.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Describe and explain key concepts such as space, place and landscape, and their uses within interdisciplinary research relevant for the context of heritage management,
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of theories and methods used in interdisciplinary research on sustainable management of landscapes and places,
• Show an understanding of how landscapes and places change over time, and how these changes relate to social, biological, geological and cultural processes,

Competence and skills

• Identify, analyse, and interpret historical traces in the landscape through fieldwork, supported by literature, archival sources, and other forms of source material,
• Based on relevant theories, critically examine relationships between nature and culture, urban and rural, human and non-human in the landscape,
• Independently and collaboratively communicate complex issues related to the assessment and management of places and landscapes, both orally and in writing,

Judgement and approach

• Critically assess prevailing assumptions and practices related to heritage, conservation, and change of places and landscapes,
• Evaluate different types of values attributed to landscapes and environments from ethical, ecological, and societal perspectives, and
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of interdisciplinary approaches, and reflect on one’s own perspective within the field.

The course is taught through:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Excursions
• Field work
• Individual assignments and group projects

Language of instruction: English

The course objectives are assessed by:

Module 1: Seminars (Seminarier), 5 hp
Module 2: Presentation of field study (Presentation av fältstudie), 5 hp
Module 3: Individual written assignment (Individuell skriftlig uppgift), 5 hp

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For examinations 1 and 2, one of the grades Pass (G) or Fail (U) is given. For examination 3, one of the grades Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U) is given.

For the grade Pass (G) on the course, the grade Pass (G) is required on exam parts 1, 2 and 3.

For the grade Pass with distinction (VG) on the course, the grade Pass (G) is required on both exam parts 1 and 2 and Pass with distinction (VG) on exam part 3.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Costs: All expenses that may occur in connection with the course, including literature, materials, personal tools and protective gear, and travelling to excavation sites or other travelling connected to the course, are paid for by the student.

Environment and sustainable development: The Gothenburg University's environmental management system is certified according to ISO 14001 and EMAS.

Quality assurance: Follow-up and evaluation of the program takes place in accordance with the applicable policy for quality assurance and quality development of education at the University of Gothenburg.