Faculty of Philosophy Cultural Heritage and Protection of Cultural Goods – Master

Lectures and seminars enable students to gain a theoretical grounding, as well as practical skills, within the field of cultural heritage. Content from the field of law, and teaching units offered in partnership with investigative bodies such as the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA), state offices for criminal investigation, and customs offices, ensure that students gain fundamental knowledge of aspects of law and criminology which relate to cultural heritage protection. The course also includes a scientific element which addresses material analysis (counterfeits) and digital heritage. Work placements offered in cooperation with relevant partners (museums, world heritage sites, monument offices, international organisations) also give students the opportunity to develop practical skills (the presentation of cultural artefacts, heritage management), and provide initial insight into the demands of the employment market. Practical courses run by the Heidelberg Center for Cultural Heritage (HCCH), often with the cooperation of external bodies, provide students with key skills required for the proper management of material and immaterial cultural heritage, as well as their proper handling. 

The academic programme is modular and can currently be elected as a major subject only (100% weighting). The course must be begun in the winter semester. Students spend the first and second semesters attending mandatory lectures and courses which cover the fundamentals of material and immaterial cultural heritage. In addition, they complete introductory courses in the practical applications of cultural heritage protection, object handling and collection management, as well as the work conducted in world heritage sites.

From the second semester onwards, students are able to select elective modules and thus specialise in a specific aspect of cultural heritage. Specialisations might include provenance research, legal foundations, dissemination of knowledge to the public, or specific content relating to material or immaterial cultural heritage.

In the third semester, students must complete a work placement of at least two months with one of the degree programme’s cooperation partners or another institution of the student’s choosing (museum, world heritage sites, monument offices, international organisations). The work placement may result in an area of interest in which the student might complete his or her Master’s thesis. This is to be completed in the final semester.