Cultural Heritage in International Relations. Political and Legal Challenges

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Classroom

The aim of the course it to critically reflect on the matters related to cultural heritage and the way the concept of cultural heritage is 'used' and 'abused' in international relations.

1. Introduction to the course. The concept of cultural heritage in international relations – around power, law and politics. Heritage studies and critical heritage studies. Reasons to be ‘critical’ while studying ‘cultural heritage’.

2. The history of ‘cultural heritage’ (1) – heritage as memory.

3. The history of ‘cultural heritage’ (2) – linking concepts of cultural heritage and the nation-state. Museums as places of postcolonial encounter.

4. Protection of cultural heritage in armed conflicts – UNESCO and the path toward the Hague Convention 1954. I and II World War experiences. The Balkans War – toward the II Protocol to the Hague Convention. Criminalization of crimes against cultural heritage – ICTY and ICC.

5. Relationship between culture, cultural heritage and identity: around the concept of cultural genocide. Raphael Lemkin and Genocide Convention 1948.

6. “The Destruction of Memory” – movie display and discussion: heritage as an element of identity, heritage as target and military objective.

7. The problem of succession of cultural heritage.

8. World Heritage: 1972 UNESCO Convention (1): legal and practical aspects.

9. World Heritage (2): political aspects. Ethnography of UNESCO.

10. Intangible Cultural Heritage (1): idea, norms and challenges. The idea of ‘communities’.

11. Boosting soft power via intangible cultural heritage (2): International Relations in micro-settings.

12. Underwater cultural heritage: when law meets archaeology and business.

13. Cultural heritage on the ground and its international reception (1) – the case of Warsaw.

14. Cultural heritage on the ground and its international reception (1) – the case of Warsaw.

15. Summary of the course.

J. Cowan, M. Dembour, and R. Wilson (eds), Culture and rights: anthropological perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,

Labadi, S. and Long, C. (eds), 2010. Heritage and Globalisation. London and New York: Routledge,

MacDonald, S., 2013. Memorylands: Heritage and Identity in Europe Today. London and New York: Routledge.

The City Cultures Reader (second edition) by Miles, M., Hall, T., Borden, I. (eds), 2004, London: Routledge.

Affleck, J, Yehuda Kalay, Thomas Kvan, (eds) , 2008, New Heritage: New Media and Cultural Heritage

Daly, P. and Winter, T., (eds), 2012. Routledge Handbook of Heritage in Asia. London and New York: Routledge.

Students know the history of development of the concept of "cultural heritage", know how to situate it in the historical and legal background. He or she understands the political significance of recognizing a given object or practice as "heritage" and critically analyzes state efforts on international forums for such recognition. They understand the theories of the humanities and social sciences related to heritage, especially in the perspective of critical heritage studies.

Active and regular participation in the course plus preparation of the written paper on the basis of required readings and on the topic previously agreed with the course instructor.

Reading Assignments

The course will draw upon legislative materials, policy analysis, case law, and literature. In advance of each class, please read the materials prescribed in the syllabus. Students should come to class prepared, having completed the readings and considered the guiding questions for

each of the classes. The reading materials are available on the course webpage at platfrom KAMPUS. It is an obligation of the students to regularly check the ongoing updates and assignments on the course website.

Grade

Final Paper: The assignment will be done in pairs (10 pages, not including cover page and bibliography) and should focus on one of the course subject matters. It should include a research question, literature review, and a thesis. Students should send the chosen topic (according to the instructions to be published) and an abstract no later than April 10, 2021.Students cannot write on a topic that has been already chosen; the selection will be on the basis

of first come, first served. Students should submit a final paper no later than May 31, 2021.

Grade: Final paper: 90%. 10% for constructive contribution in class.

None.