CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE i

The course is part of the core curriculum of the degree programme in Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Activities, and is intended for students in the archaeological and art history tracks (A–L group).

The course aims to provide methodological tools and basic knowledge on the conservation of artworks in museum contexts, with particular attention to the history of museology and the reception of works of art. Its objectives are: to offer a solid understanding of the main features of the history of museums and their conceptual and physical development, illustrating their cultural motivations, functions, and display strategies over time; to enable students to interpret contemporary exhibition practices in light of the historical evolution of the relationship between artworks and museum contexts, as well as between artworks and audiences; and to help students critically engage with current debates surrounding museums.

This course constitutes the first module of the course “Elements of Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation” and is linked to the second 6-credit module (FT0451-2), taught by Prof. Cupperi.

-knowledge and understanding: attendance of the course and individual study will allow female students to acquire the fundamental vocabulary of museology and museography and basic knowledge on the history of museums, their functioning, their social role and their management from past to present.

- ability to apply knowledge and understanding: knowing how to recognize the distinctive features of an organization and an exhibition in relation to its context and knowing how to compare it with similar cases; being able to identify the main problems related to the different methods of conservation and display; know the relationship between conservation interventions and museology.

- ability to judge: ability to critically evaluate the choices of organization, displaying and management of a contemporary museum on the basis of the criteria it presents, recognizing its forms and cultural reasons.

- communication skills: knowing how to use the specific vocabulary of museology in an appropriate way to describe the historical and contemporary museum reality; acquire the ability to intervene with full knowledge of the facts in the debate on the issues of heritage management and conservation by comparing themselves with colleagues and teachers.

- learning ability: knowing how to recognize the fundamental characteristics of a museum from the point of view of organization and set-up; knowing how to place the history of a museum in the broader evolution of the history of European and world museums with reference to historical-social contexts and with comparisons with similar or opposable cases.

No particular prerequisites required, however knowledge of the history of ancient and modern art would be desirable and visiting museums (at least venetian ones) is strongly recommended.

The module (6 cfu) will deal with museology and elements of museography.

The lectures will start by addressing the specific vocabulary of the discipline and some conceptual issues related to collecting and the museum.
Through case studies linked to works and contexts of primary importance, the course will then proceed by analysing the evolution of the methods of conservation, exhibition and presentation of works of art (from ancient sculpture to contemporary art) in the major European centres, with particular attention to the Italian territory, and will then extend to the world context from the 20th century to the present day.
The course aims to provide the tools to understand the evolution of the status of movable works of art from objects of worship or everyday use to museum pieces, through the analysis of the phases of culture and taste that have led from the formation of collections to the concept of the modern museum, up to the crisis and renewal of the same concept in today's society.

Lessons' Structure:
The course will follow a chronological path, starting from the methods of collecting in the Renaissance period and continuing through to the present day.
As it is not possible to hold lectures in museum sites due to the large number of students in the classroom, museum professionals will be invited during the course to explore in greater depth the more practical aspects related to the management and operation of a museum.

All students are obliged to study the adopted bibliography, knowledge of which is a prerequisite for passing the examination.

Compulsory bibliography:

- Maria Teresa Fiorio, "Il museo nella storia. Dallo studiolo al museo virtuale", Pearson, Milano 2023.

Further bibliography will be provided before the start of the course.

Students who have difficulty studying texts in Italian are invited to contact the professor in order to identify an alternative bibliography.

The verification takes place through a written test. Candidates will have 1,5 hours to answer 3 open-ended questions on the topics covered during the course and on what they have learnt from the compulsory bibliography. Examples of questions will be given during the optional tutorials.
No books, notes, paper or electronic media of any kind may be used during the written examination and no talking to other candidates is allowed.

PLEASE NOTE: The course is divided into two 6-credit modules. Students are therefore required to pass the two exams for both modules in order to have the final grade registered. The final grade is a single grade derived from the results of the two partial exams, allowing students to earn a total of 12 indivisible credits.
For the current academic year, it will be possible to take the partial exams for Modules I and II in different exam sessions. The grade for each partial exam will remain valid only within the four exam sessions that make up the academic year (12 months). Please note that anyone who does not pass one of the two exams within the current academic year must retake both exams. Under no circumstances will grades be considered valid beyond this deadline.
For justified and documented needs not covered by this notice, students are kindly asked to contact the professors.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:
- correctness and propriety in the use of language and vocabulary specific to the discipline;
- correctness and completeness of knowledge;
- ability to critically process knowledge.

For practical information relating to the exams, please consult the Moodle space, the teacher's web page, or prof. Cupperi's one regarding module II.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Grades in the range 18-22 will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach a sufficient level; grades in range 23-26 will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach a fair level; grades in range 27-30 will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach an excellent level; honours will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach an excellent level.

Frontal lessons supported by teaching materials on power-point, made available weekly on the university's Moodle platform. The lessons are expected to be interactive, therefore students are warmly invited to participate.

For any changes or updates, please always consult the Moodle space relating to the course.

Ca' Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities. In case of motor, visual, hearing or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and need for support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out individualized exams or exams, accessible format material, notes retrieval, specialist tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other), please contact the Disability and SLD office: disable@unive.it.

Ca' Foscari has included a point dedicated to "Inclusion, social justice, gender equality" (Flagship 7) in the University Strategic Plan 2021-2026 and has adopted, since 2022, a GEP (Gender Equality Plan): https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/user_upload/comunicazione/sostenibile/doc/Inclusione/Piano_di_Uguaglianza_di_Genere_CF_DEF.pdf