KONS2010 – History and Theory of Conservation
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course begins with an introduction to ideas about the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage, starting in the late-medieval period, and through to the formation and development of professional conservation organisations and institutions. The role of science in conservation, historical perspectives of the debates around conservation questions, and the relationship between the two cultures of humanities and the natural sciences are covered, as are national and international agreements and laws in the support of the preservation of cultural heritage.
Throughout the course, fundamental principles within the conservation profession are clarified, with the aim to understand how these can be applied in the research and treatment of objects and collections. There is an emphasis on issues such as conflicts between fundamental principles and the ways that they have changed over time, both on a practical and theoretical level.
Lectures will address, among other topics: approaches to cleaning; restoration and reconstruction; notions of authenticity; codes of ethics; the ideal and reality of reversibility; the display of works of art and culturally significant objects; and opinions surrounding the ‘death’ of objects.
Learning outcome
On completion of this course, students will be expected to:
- describe the historical and theoretical development of the conservation profession
- discuss national and international conservation conventions and charters
- evaluate the impact of conventions and charters on the profession
- justify the role of science in conservation
- defend the ethical framework of conservation
- appreciate the rights of the different stakeholders within cultural heritage
- argue for authenticity and differing values associated with cultural heritage
- communicate arguments in written academic form
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
You are recommended to take KONS1000 – Introduction to conservation and collection care before KONS2010.
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with KONS4511 – Konserveringshistorie, prosjektbasert konservering (discontinued).
Teaching
- The teaching consists of lectures (20 hours)
- The course has 75% mandatory attendance.
- This is how you apply for a valid absence from mandatory attendance: Absence from compulsory Activity/attendance.
- The course uses Canvas as its learning environment for sharing teaching resources.
Examination
The exam is a 72 hour take-home exam:
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The exam assignment will be published in Inspera on the first day of the exam. For information about the time and date of the exam, please consult the semester page. Click on the relevant semester at the top of this page, and go to "Examination: Time and place.
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Do not write your name in your exam (term paper). Use your candidate number. It is a four digit number which you will find next to your exam registration in StudentWeb. You are given a unique candidate number for each exam.
Previous exam assignments can be found here
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The exam is held every other year, the same year as the the course is held.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Fagspesifikke karakterbeskrivelser for konservering
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.