320321 | Winter semester 2026/27
Module: 12813, 12816, 14401, 37410, 37411, 14403
Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:00 Webex
Start: 7 October 2026

What is culture? Is it unique to humans or can other species exhibit culture? Could recognition of culture in animals aid biodiversity
conservation? Are aspects of animal culture already exhibited within the World Heritage system? These are some of the questions this study project will explore. This study project, developed in collaboration with IUCN, seeks to contribute practically to IUCN’s research by documenting existing references to animal culture within World Heritage nomination files and SOUVS. From a theoretical point of view, the project will take a critical approach to the concept of animal culture, exploring definitions of culture within different fields and analysing contemporary research from the growing field.