Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. Not all heritages of past generations are “heritage”; rather, heritage is a product of selection by society.
Cultural heritage includes tangible culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts), intangible culture (such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), and natural heritage (including culturally significant landscapes, and biodiversity). The term is often used in connection with issues relating to the protection of Indigenous intellectual property.
Cultural heritage education (CHE), as one of the main aims of the European Heritage Strategy for the 21st Century (ST21), can be the vehicle for the promotion of our shared cultural heritage, but also for showing that different cultural identities can complement and enrich each other by co-existing and shaping a common European identity.
Based on the pillars and the values of the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, this course aims to use the rich historical and artistic heritage of Greece as a case study on how cultural heritage education can help us understand modern societies and create more inclusive, cohesive, and sustainable community environments. Through experiential learning and discussion on cultural heritage interpretation, they will learn how to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby developing a deep understanding that promotes the sense of European identity and social inclusion.
Learning Objectives: