Critical Social Inquiry 0219 - Who Own the Past?

This course is an introduction to the politics of heritage. Heritage sites, monuments and museums are frequently sites of controversy, as various groups with different and often conflicting experiences contest interpretations of the past. This seminar adopts a global approach to heritage. We will focus on the major themes, ideas and debates shaping the theoretical and methodological frameworks for studying heritage. We will learn the ways in which colonialism and nationalism impact heritage in the past. We will also critically examine contemporary possibilities, problems and challenges presented by tourism, development, international law and illicit trafficking on heritage. Through a series of case studies we will examine the historical, political, social and cultural contexts in which nations, communities and individuals assert their rights through heritage.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.