14429 - UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage Modulübersicht

• Dr. phil. Rudolff, Britta

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Explain and critically compare the key concepts, terminologies and definitions of the UNESCO 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the operational mechanisms of both Conventions, including their respective processes of nomination, evaluation, monitoring, and periodic reporting.
• Analyse and interpret core concepts of the Conventions, including but not limited to Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity, integrity, protection, safeguarding, community participation, or transmission, and assess how these are applied in practice.
• Apply the normative frameworks of the 1972 and 2003 Conventions to concrete case studies of World Heritage properties and elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage and understand difference which the recognition creates in day-to-day interaction with the heritage expressions.
• Critically assess contemporary challenges in the implementation of both Conventions, including tensions between different concepts of heritage representation, challenges of development or commodification of heritage, as well as notions of sustainability, and cultural diversity.

Part I: UNESCO World Heritage

This seminar reflects the historical development, rationale, and key principles of the UNESCO 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It critically examines the concepts of Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity, and integrity, and explores the relationship between and rapprochement of cultural and natural heritage. Students engage with processes outlined in the Operational Guidelines, and study their implementation for specific World Heritage properties. Students analyse and discuss the ssource of expertise which informs processes of the Convention, including the role of Advisory Bodies and international cooperation. Through selected case studies, the course analyses practical challenges in the process of World Heritage inscriptions and the long-term protection of World Heritage properties.

Part II: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

This seminar focuses on the conceptual foundations and practical implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It explores the domains of intangible cultural heritage recognized in the Convention and analyses objectives and processes, with particular attention to safeguarding, transmission, and community participation as central principles. Students examine the mechanisms of inventorying, nomination, inscription on the Representative List, the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and the Register of Good Safeguarding practices. The seminar also discusses the shift from protection to safeguarding, the role of communities and practitioners, and the shifting relationships between intangible heritage, identity, and sustainable development. Case studies illustrate contemporary debates surrounding representation, commodification, and the impacts of recognition on dynamic cultural practices.

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• Seminar / 4 Hours per Week per Semester
• Self organised studies / 120 Hours

Reading materials and references will be provided in the moodle course.

2 Examinations (each 50%) (2 times 60 Min.)

• no assignment

examinations can be offered on the same or two separate days.

Seminars may be offered as intensive full day events over several consecutives days, rather than weekly sessions.

Seminar 1: UNESCO World Heritage

Seminar 2: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

• no assignment