Interdisciplinary PSP Protection of Cultural Heritage and Monuments of Nature from the Effects of Climate Change – Module units

CCC50 Cultural and Natural Heritage

Module code: CCC50

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description:

The Course Module «Cultural and Natural Heritage» covers the theoretical aspects of cultural and natural heritage, its protection, preservation and management, as well as international policies and legislation concerning it. It includes an historical review and an overview of the current theoretical framework and practical approaches on the protection, management and interpretation of heritage. Several international case studies and World Heritage Sites are discussed as comprehensive examples.

Its main objectives are to:

• Introduce the basic terminology, principles and approaches of cultural and natural heritage protection and place these within a historical and cultural context.
• Explore the multiplicity of meanings and values attributed to heritage
• Identify and investigate the numerous risks that threaten cultural and natural heritage
• Discuss the international heritage protection process and global strategies
• Identify the main agencies that are responsible for the global response to heritage issues
• Explore and reflect on the legislation, policy documents, international charters and conventions that frame cultural and natural heritage management and conservation.
• Present the technologies and tools used in heritage documentation, protection, management and interpretation.

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of the Course Module students shall be able to identify, critically understand, and reflect on:

• the range of values and meanings associated with heritage, the multiple threats to it and why protecting and preserving it is imperative,
• the basic principles and concepts of cultural and natural heritage protection, preservation, conservation, restoration and management,
• the international heritage protection strategies and the role of legislation and public policy in heritage management, restoration and conservation,
• the methods and tools currently being implemented for the scientific documentation, analysis and presentation of monuments and heritage sites.

Subjects covered:

• Introduction to heritage and heritage protection
• International policies, principles and legislation
• Historical review and theoretical approaches to heritage protection
• Research tools and technological innovation in heritage protection, management and interpretation
• Examples of heritage analysis and environmental issues

Prerequisites:  None

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCC51 Introduction to climate change

Module code: CCC51

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description:

Acquisition of specialized knowledge by students in matters concerning: a) the earth’s climatology, b) the basic climatic parameters and quantities associated with air pollution and their interconnection with climate change, c) extreme climates as a consequence of climate change, d) on the effects of climate change on the various parts of the planetary system (atmosphere, cryosphere, geosphere) and e) on the connection of climate change with sectors of the economy and society. The TU contributes to the understanding of the complex structure and operation of the climate system and its changes throughout the history of the planet as well as to the acquisition of knowledge of the most important processes (e.g. atmospheric and ocean currents) in different parts of the world that determine key climate indicators (e.g. atmosphere temperature, sea level, etc.). The TU provides knowledge of anthropogenic and natural sources of emissions into the atmosphere resulting in increased concentrations of pollutants that affect the climate. Τhe TU allows students to become familiar with the definition of extreme weather phenomena with adverse effects on materials and structures. Finally, the TU allows students to recognize the technological aspects of climate change and to understand the need for climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.

Learning outcomes:

After the successful completion of the Course Module students shall be able to identify, critically understand, and reflect on:

• Understand the complex structure of the climate system and its changes throughout the Earth’s history.
• List the most important processes that determine the main climate indicators.
• Know the basic climate parameters.
• Understand the anthropogenic and natural sources of atmospheric emissions that affect the climate.
• Define the main effects of climate change on Earth.
• Become familiar with the identification of extreme weather events as a consequence of climate change.
• Know the effects of climate change on different human activities.
• Recognize the technological aspects of climate change and the need for adaptation and mitigation actions.

Subjects covered:

• Introduction to climatology
• Major climate and pollution parameter changes
• Extreme events linked to climatic change
• Geological impacts of climate change
• Synergistic phenomena

Prerequisites:  None

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCC52 Material science

Module code: CCC52

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description:

The main objective of the present module is to introduce the students to materials science with special focus on traditional and Cultural Heritage materials and issues emerging due to climate change.

The key subjects of the module are:

1. Material Science
2. Diagnostic Technologies for investigating material conditions
3. Deterioration of materials
4. Investigation of CH sites and entities in view of their preservation

More specifically:

Discipline 1: Introduction to Material Science

The scope of this discipline is to introduce the students into the basic scientific terms of material science. The subjects to be taught involve elementary definitions from, chemistry, crystallography, mechanics of materials – stress-strain relations and strength of materials, and some introductory elements of material pathology.

Discipline 2: Diagnostic technologies for material failure

With this discipline, it is aimed to introduce the student to the state of the art of investigative works for the protection of our cultural heritage. It is also hoped that methodological thinking shall be generated regarding the array of site and laboratory options available and the suitability of them in the conservation undertakings. One important parameter worth mentioning here is that the value of the various methods and techniques is magnified when they are suitably interconnected, feeding other investigative processes, towards the better understanding of the conservation/restoration tasks.

Discipline 3: Material ageing

The third discipline of the Study module contains a brief description of major deterioration factors for monuments as well as a selected study cases of deteriorated monuments along with the relevant novel restoration procedures which are discussed.

Pollutant agents are discussed, along with conservation and restoration procedures.

Along with the presentation of typical deterioration of monumental structures there is also a discussion of suggested methodologies for uprating the structures.

Discipline 4: Archaeometry

The last discipline of the module is dedicated to Geophysical methods adapted to archaeological investigations and monitoring.

The array of most advanced methods are presented. Their origin, developmental pattern pros and cons are discussed, along with suggested interpretation methods of the data collected.

Learning Outcomes:

After the completion of the module, students are expected to:

• familiarize with the principles of interdisciplinary subjects discussed,
• get introduced to the chemical composition of the materials, characterization of materials, typical processing principles,
• understand elementary mechanics and strength of materials
• become acquainted with the most important methods of investigative works,
• understand their primary field of application and their potential efficiency and effectiveness to the task at hand,
• become acquainted to the main nondestructive diagnostic technologies (NDT) used for Cultural Heritage monuments.
• familiarize with the Systematic Degradation Patterns of the Monuments,
• obtain an introductory knowledge gained on conservation treatment procedures where the Non-Destructive Methods are used for Damage mapping,
• be able to recognize the most important geophysical methods used for the investigation and preservation of the Cultural heritage and understand their field of application,
• obtain an introduction to methodological interpretation and assessment of research results in studies of Cultural Heritage

Subjects covered:

• Introduction to material science
• Archaeometry
• Material ageing
• Diagnostic technologies for material failure

Prerequisites:  None

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCC60 Telematics and metrics

Module code: CCC60

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description:

This Course Module (TU) deals with topics in the science of telematics offering a comprehensive picture of the wide range of Earth observation applications and relevant metrics to address climate change and other environmental impacts on cultural and natural heritage. 

There are the following units:

Unit 1. Ground-based metrics and telematics.

Unit 2. Passive and active remote sensing technologies.

Unit 3. Satellite-based metrics and telematics.

Unit 4. GIS mapping.

The first Unit aims to introduce you to methods of surveying natural and man-made spatial objects. It also aims to understand the use of surveying instruments, the measurement of lengths, angles, slopes, and polygonal lines, as well as the methods of horizontal surveying and levelling, tachaeometry, the three-dimensional coordination and finally the drawing methods for topographic diagramms.

The second Unit aims to introduce you to remote sensing technologies and their multiple applications. You will be introduced to the basic terms and concepts needed in order to be able to understand the context and the specialised implementation aspects of remote sensing on cultural heritage. The overall aim is to provide an introduction to the theoretical background as well as to practical issues and then focus on selected good practices that underpin the modern and partially still untapped potential of remote sensing in tackling cultural heritage protection.

The third Unit aims to introduce you to the satellite-based metrics and to multiple applications under the general scope of Earth observations. In particular, you will be introduced to data and products derived from the Copernicus program, giving special attention to climate and cultural-related services in order to be able to understand the contribution of remote sensing in protecting cultural heritage from climate change impacts. The overall aim is to provide an introduction to multiple research and application perspectives of the aforementioned services.

The fourth Unit aims to introduce you the basic concepts, theoretical and practical, related to the subject of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The main goal is to present the fundamental GIS principles and the necessary techniques in order to mapping and create data and then, analyzing, managing and visualizing. Furthermore, the unit will close with multidisciplinary GIS applications and the role of GIS in environmental study, protection and management focusing on the natural environment.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will: 

• get acquainted with the basic techniques, methodologies, and metrics of telematics utilized to monitor earth ecosystems, focusing on cultural heritage elements,
• understand the basic principles of remote sensing, including satellite and in-situ platforms, and how they are applied at different scales (i.e., monuments, world heritage cities, sites of natural heritage) in relation to climate change, 
• familiarize with GIS mapping and its applications on cultural heritage to assess impacts from climate change and other relevant environmental stressors,   
• recognize the significance of and benefits from Earth observations to support climate change adaptation and mitigation actions, emphasizing on cultural heritage protection international initiatives,
• learn about and be able to use brand new innovative Earth observation approaches, including tools and services, to assess and evaluate climate change impacts on cultural heritage.   

Subjects covered:

• Ground-based metrics and telematics
• Satellite-based metrics and telematics
• GIS mapping
• Passive and active remote sensing technologies

Prerequisites:  None

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCC61 Resilience Strategies for Moveable Heritage

Module code: CCC61

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Elective (students choose among course modules CCC61, CCC62 and CCC63)
Leads to specialization in Moveable Heritage

Year: 2^nd

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description: Climate change is a recognized threat to cultural heritage objects and cultural resources. This Course Module focuses on resilience strategies for the preservation and preventive conservation of movable cultural heritage (e.g. archaeological collections; ceramic, glass, metal objects; paintings; paper objects, photographic collections; textiles and costumes; leather, skin and fur objects; wooden objects and furniture; natural history collections; plastic objects; audio, video and data recording media), and the buildings that house them (museums, archives, storage facilities).

It emphasizes on a) the effects of climate change impacts on the condition of heritage objects through the understanding of weathering agents and other factors that lead to gradual degradation, using simulation techniques, non-destructive methods, sampling and monitoring methodologies and b) the assessment of the susceptibility of the housing facility itself to climate change impacts, such as anomalous fluctuation of ambient relative humidity, temperature, or threats, such as sea level rise, extreme weather events, water flooding, wildfires etc.

Sustainability is another issue to be addressed, since museums, repositories, archives and storage facilities already spend a large number of their resources to maintain indoor environmental conditions and these costs are expected to increase due to the effects of climate change.

Learning outcomes:

Upon the successful completion of the Course Module students will be able to:

• identify the factors and their possible synergistic action that lead to gradual degradation of movable cultural heritage and the ways to detect, report and mitigate their impact (damage they cause),
• assess the risk of climate change impacts or climate-triggered threats on museums, collections, repositories and storage facilities,
• adopt collection-specific monitoring methodologies and preventive conservation approaches including structural diagnosis and material analysis techniques specializing in the typology, structure and composition of the materials of the object itself and of the decoration that it carries,
• promote risk management approaches to the preservation of cultural heritage, and will acquire the awareness and knowledge required for planning and implementation of measures and practical actions aimed at avoiding and minimizing future deterioration or loss,
• design climate change adaptation or mitigation strategies for objects, collections and housing facilities, based on the expected severity of climate change impacts.

Subjects covered:

• Effects of climate change impacts on collections and storage facilities
• Technologies and techniques to identify problems and failures on moveable heritage
• Monitoring collections and storage facilities
• Adaptation and mitigation strategies for moveable heritage

Prerequisites:  None.

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCC62 Resilience Strategies for Monuments and Archaeological Sites

Module code: CCC62

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Elective (students choose among course modules CCC61, CCC62 and CCC63)
Leads to specialization in Monuments and archaeological sites

Year: 2^nd

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description: The scope of this module is to introduce the students to the pathology of monumental structures and archaeological sites, its relation to the impacts of climate change and the strategies that can be adopted for their effective protection. 

Fundamental parameters of deterioration due to climate change, such as water ingress, corrosion, soil erosion etc., as well as other natural phenomena such as earthquake actions shall be assessed in a way as to emanate the intrinsic manner of structural deterioration.

A variety of mature technologies for identifying failure patterns and failure modes as well as structural monitoring techniques for the development of degradation patterns will be examined.

The array of investigative and monitoring methods spans from traditional methods to high technological edge. State-of-the-art non-destructive testing techniques, site examinations, in situ tests, and laboratory sample tests shall be explored and will be used for the benefit of the condition awareness of the monumental structures. Emphasis shall be given to the data fusion and data integration into Building Information Models (BIM). Necessary adaptations to the preventive maintenance projects shall be discussed.

Thus, the students shall develop the skills needed for the delivery of risk analysis, and development of reciprocal risk mitigation measures for the protection of monuments and archaeological sites.

Learning Outcomes:

By the successful completion of this module the Students:

• shall apprehend the basics of the structural deterioration mechanisms of monumental structures, their pathologies and how these are expected to be exacerbated due to climate change.
• will develop a methodological way of thinking to mastermind the series of tests that, with the help of technology available, will lead to the understanding of the root causes of historical building deterioration.
• shall acquire the awareness and knowledge required for the implementation of a BIM procurement strategy.
• shall be equipped with necessary knowledge of risk analysis tools and of the reciprocal application of Risk Mitigation measures to Monuments and Archaeological Sites
• shall familiarize themselves with climate change adaptation and/or mitigation strategies for the protection of monuments and archaeological sites.

Subjects covered:

• Vulnerability of buildings and structures of cultural interest to climate change
• Technologies and techniques to identify problems and failures on built heritage
• Monitoring monuments and archaeological sites
• Adaptation and mitigation strategies for monuments and archaeological sites

Prerequisites: None.

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCC63 Resilience Strategies for Natural and Historic Heritage Landscapes

Module code: CCC63

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Elective (students choose among course modules CCC61, CCC62 and CCC63)
Leads to specialization in Natural and Historic Heritage Landscapes

Year: 2^nd

Language: English

Module Outline

Module general description: This course deals with climate change impacts on natural and historic landscapes, identification of potential problems in natural heritage and historic landscapes, monitoring of heritage landscapes and adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will: 

• Familiarize with problems in natural and cultural heritage and learn to identify them.
• Learn how to study diachronic changes of culturally interesting landscapes
• Understand the landscape evolution
• Learn how to monitor heritage landscapes and how to combine collected information make conclusions.
• Learn to study interventions, conservation and restoration of the environment and cultural heritage
• Familiarize with adaptation and mitigation strategies for natural and cultural landscapes
• Understand geomorphological processes such as chemical weathering, deposition, erosion and their impact on historical heritage landscapes

Subjects covered:

• Climate change impacts on natural and historic landscapes
• Technologies and techniques to identify potential problems in natural heritage and historic landscapes
• Monitoring of heritage landscape
• Adaptation and mitigation strategies for natural heritage and historic landscapes

Prerequisites: None.

Teaching Method: Distance learning by conducting Group Counseling Meetings during the academic year on weekends.

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of the grades of which participates in the formation of the final grade by 30%. Students need to have successfully completed the written assignment obtaining an average grade of at least 50%, in order to be eligible to the final exams. Final written examinations, that participate in the formation of the final degree by 70%.

CCCDE Master’s Thesis

Code: CCCDE

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language: English

Module Outline

General description: The Master’s Thesis is meant to combine and utilize the knowledge students have acquired over the course of their studies.

Students may propose a topic of their choosing for their Master’s Thesis, taking into account a special list of topics (with detailed descriptions) drafted by the C.M. Coordinators. This list is drafted based on the wider subject matter of the postgraduate studies program, as well as those of the five individual C.M. Students must prepare the final topic and description of the Master’s Thesis in collaboration with the counselor.

Indicative topics for research:

• Introduction to heritage and heritage protection
• International policies, principles and legislation
• Historical review and theoretical approaches to heritage protection
• Research tools and technological innovation in heritage protection, management and interpretation
• Examples of heritage analysis and environmental issues
• Introduction to climatology
• Major climate and pollution parameter changes
• Extreme events linked to climatic change
• Geological impacts of climate change
• Synergistic phenomena
• Introduction to material science
• Archaeometry
• Material ageing
• Diagnostic technologies for material failure
• Ground-based metrics and telematics
• Satellite-based metrics and telematics
• GIS mapping
• Passive and active remote sensing technologies
• Effects of climate change impacts on collections and storage facilities
• Technologies and techniques to identify problems and failures on moveable heritage
• Monitoring collections and storage facilities
• Adaptation and mitigation strategies for moveable heritage

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of their Master’s Thesis, students will be able to:

• Carry out original research on a wide variety of thematic areas related to heritage preservation from the impacts of climate change, depending on the direction they have chosen
• Research, compile, verify, and critically assess information, and effectively organize and present it
• Adhere to the principles and rules and standards of the protection of natural and cultural heritage
• Effectively and creatively utilize internet/digital tools/media to draft/edit/distribute their texts
• Critically and responsibly utilize both primary and secondary sources

Prerequisites: The presentation of the Master’s Thesis takes place after the successful completion of the program’s Course Modules.

General Regulation for Preparing Graduate Dissertations in PC with an annual Module Correspondence

For more information regarding the Specifications – Useful Material for writing Master’s Theses and uploading a Thesis at the H.O.U. Repository, you can go to the Digital Training Area http://study.eap.gr and especially to the Program of Studies section.