Additional Information

Course Number

ANTH511

Course Description

This seminar explores some of the most important issues that are now a central part of archaeological, anthropological and historical research throughout the world. The identification and control of cultural heritage is a critical part of the framework for research within other communities. Issues for this course also include cultural identity, human rights, repatriation, colonialism, working with communities and many other topics. Field research today must be based upon a new series of ethical standards that are discussed and examined within this class. Major Topics include: Cultural Heritage – definitions and constructs, Cosmopolitanism and Collecting, Archaeology and Looting, Cultural Heritage Preservation, Museums – Universal and National, Museum Acquisition Policies, Cultural Identity, International Conventions (including Underwater Issues), National laws of Ownership, Community Based Development, Cultural Tourism – Development Models, and Human Rights. Undergraduates need permission from instructor.

Syllabus Available

No

Notes

Course description provided by the Penn Cultural Heritage Center. Please contact instructor for further information.

Additional tags: cultural heritage; case studies; Penn Museum

Taxonomies

RPA Codes & Standards

• Archaeologist's Responsibility to Colleagues, Employees, and Students
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to Employers and Clients
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to the Public
• Maintaining Continuity of Records
• Procedures for Field Survey or Excavation
• Specimen and Research Record Storage

CIfA Codes

• Principle 1: Adherence to ethical and responsible behaviour in archaeological affairs
• Principle 2: Responsibility for the conservation of the historic environment
• Principle 3: Responsibility for acquiring and recording reliable information of the past in archaeological research
• Principle 4: Responsibility for the availability of archaeological results within reasonable dispatch

Keywords & Terms

• Anti-Commercialization
• Avoid, Discourage, and Report Unethical and Illegal Activity
• Conservation
• Continuity of Records
• International Law
• Local, State, Federal, and Tribal Laws
• Looting, Collecting, and Illicit Trade of Cultural Property
• Management of Cultural Resources, Heritage, History
• Museum, Collection, Curation and Display Standards
• Ownership
• Respect for and Responsibility to Affected Groups
• Standards of Data Collection, Recordation, Analysis
• Storage of Data, Specimens, and Records

Topics & Issues

• Antiquities Trade
• Ethical Responsibilities of Archaeologists
• Heritage Management
• Museum and Display Ethics
• NAGPRA, Repatriation, and Indigenous Rights