Minor content
Heritage is everything from the past that we choose to keep in the present. We value places, areas, buildings, objects, and stories on different levels. Think for example about your family tree, a neckless you received from your (grand)parents, your city’s landmark or the Machu Picchu; a UNESCO world heritage site. We want to experience heritage ourselves and manage them so others can enjoy them too. But why and how do we do this? In this minor you will discover how heritage is shaped, used, valued and managed from several perspectives:
- Political: How is heritage relevant for and used by governments?
- Socio-cultural: What social and cultural impacts does heritage have
- Economic: How can heritage be economically viable?
- Individual: Why do you value certain objects, stories or sites?
Themes covered in the minor include: heritage and identity, heritage experiences, heritage interpretation, heritage politics, personal heritage, heritage and marketing, storytelling, authenticity, conservation and preservation, contested and dark heritage, military and war heritage, literary heritage, and tour guiding.
Highlights of the Minor
- Fieldtrip to Edinburgh (Scotland)*. During a week-long fieldtrip you will visit several heritage sites and associations. Professionals will give you their perspective on how the sites are managed and explain potential challenges.
- Guest lectures & excursions. During the minor you will also have several day-excursions in The Netherlands and guest lectures, which will give you a ‘sneak-peak’; an insight into certain heritage issues and challenges from the perspective of the industry.
- Creation of a city walk. In partnership with Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden [Historic Centre Leeuwarden], you will develop a city walk and a digital version of the walk, for which you will be awarded a certificate.
- Industry Challenge. In partnership with Stichting Werelderfgoed Nederland [Dutch World Heritage Foundation], you will work on a current indstry challenge. This challenge varies each year and is based on current questions or problems that site holders of world heritage sites face.
* Keep in mind that there are extra costs of about 400-500 euros for the fieldtrip to Edinburgh (excluding food/drinks and personal costs), and transportation costs for the excursions.
Check out the after movie from the Edinburgh Fieldtrip of 2024 here!
This minor is offered by the programme Tourism Management (Academy of Leisure and Tourism).
Structure of the minor
The main learning outcome of the minor is: you are able to apply knowledge of the most important topics concerning heritage to the creation and management of a commercially viable heritage experience. As this a large outcome, it is split into two parts;
1. Theoretical part: you critically analyse certain heritage themes, whereby core problems are identified and possible solutions are evaluated. This is being assessed in form of essay questions (individual).
2. Practical part: you develop a commercially viable (digital) heritage-themed experience for a certain location. This is being assessed through the creation of a city walk through Leeuwarden and a digital app (group).
Curious how previous students experienced the minor? See our testimonial booklet!