Understanding the Role of Independent Work (3cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assessment consists of active independent study, which is verified through written assignments. Assignments 100%.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The learning objective is to broaden the student's knowledge of those cultural sector actors who are not directly visible to the public. Likewise, the aim is to inform about those background factors in the cultural sector that, for example, influence the daily work in museums and especially the practicalities of museum collection management. The student will be able to produce a brief interview overview, write an abstract, and engage in ethical debates relevant to our field.

Content

Understanding the Role of Independent Work study module is part of an online course package, which includes three separate courses implemented in the Moodle online environment: 1. Foundational Elements of Our Culture (2 ECTS) 2. Our Material Past – The Knowledge Reserve Carried in Objects (5 ECTS) 3. Understanding the Role of Independent Work (3 ECTS) The courses can be completed as a comprehensive package or as individual study modules. The courses provide insights into those aspects of the cultural sector and museum work that are not usually visible to, for example, museum visitors, and thus the entire package may enrich your next museum visit as well. The target group for the three courses comprises anyone interested in our cultural heritage, but the course package is also suitable as part of conservation studies. Understanding the Role of Independent Work course is the third in the series and can only be completed after the first two courses have been passed. The third course requires a self-directed approach to learning. During the course, the student will listen to lectures, explore ethical challenges in our field by placing their own context at the centre of the assignment, conduct a short but independent research task (interview and report), and write a CFP-compliant abstract for a conference in our field. All these activities are designed to guide the student increasingly towards so-called self-directed action. It will be beneficial for the student to have completed the first two courses in the series, as the Towards Action course requires broader mastery of comprehensive topics, self-direction, and an understanding of the actors and concepts in our field acquired from the previous courses.

Location and time

The course is an independent online implementation, which the student completes according to their own schedule on the Moodle platform. During the spring, three voluntary remote guidance sessions will be organised, where you may ask further questions about the assignments or completion. No advance registration is required: First remote session: Thursday 22 January 2026, 16:15–17:45 Second remote session: Thursday 26 February 2026, 16:15–17:45 Third remote session: Tuesday 14 April 2026, 16:15–17:45 The Zoom link for the sessions will be added to the Moodle platform shortly before each meeting.

Materials

References appearing in connection with the lecture videos.

Teaching methods

An independently monitored video recording and familiarisation with supplementary material. Written reports to be completed independently: interview, ethical assignment, and abstract, which are to be submitted via the Moodle submission platform.

Completion alternatives

No optional methods of completion.

Student workload

1 ECTS corresponds to a workload of approximately 27 hours (h), totalling 80 h. Familiarisation with the material requires around 40 h and completing the assignments approximately 40 h.