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CAHA20010

Academic Year 2025/2026

Digital Pasts: Technology and Cultural Heritage (CAHA20010)

Subject:
Classics,Art His & Archaeology
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Classics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Matthew Evans
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Digital Pasts: Technology and Cultural Heritage is a core module for Stage 2 students on the Classics, Art History and Archaeology BA Humanities programme (there are no Elective/Study Abroad places available). The module focuses on how digital technologies are transforming the ways we engage with, preserve, and understand the past. As digital tools become increasingly central to cultural heritage work, from documentation and analysis to public interpretation and global accessibility, this module offers both practical training and critical reflection on these changes. Students will gain hands-on experience with tools used to digitise, preserve, interpret, and share cultural heritage. Classes will focus on topics such as photogrammetry and 3D scanning, augmented/enhanced reality, GIS, machine learning and AI, LiDAR and Remote Sensing, museums and technology, databases, and digital storytelling. Alongside this, students will engage critically with the theoretical, ethical, environmental, and political dimensions of digital heritage, including digital repatriation, representation, and sustainability. The module draws on cutting-edge, digitally driven research within the Schools of Classics, Art History, and Archaeology, and includes contributions from staff working on a range of innovative cultural heritage projects.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Identify and critically engage with key, contemporary debates in digital cultural heritage.
- Demonstrate an understanding of core digital technologies used in heritage work, such as GIS, 3D scanning, and AI.
- Apply a range of digital methods to real-world cultural heritage datasets and collections.
- Evaluate the ethical and environmental dimensions of digital heritage practices.
- Create, curate, and interpret digital heritage outputs using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Work collaboratively to critique, analyse, and present digital approaches to cultural heritage.

Indicative Module Content:

Sessions may include some or all of the following topics:
- Ethics and digital cultural heritage
- digital technologies in museums
- 3D scanning and photogrammetry
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Remote sensing
- digital archives

NB - module content and schedule may change according to staff availability

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

124

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Classes are designed to foster student engagement with topical issues in digital cultural heritage, and participation and discussion are encouraged. Some sessions will be hands-on, acquiring practical skills in the use of specific technologies, while others will be more reflective. The module is delivered by members of the Schools of Classics, Art History and Archaeology. Learning is supported by resources in Brightspace and students will create their own portfolio throughout the trimester.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: In small groups, students will research, produce and deliver a 10-minute presentation exploring a current issue, controversy, or innovation in digital cultural heritage. Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Portfolio: Students will produce an individual portfolio of digital heritage work, comprising practical exercises and critical reflections. Week 14 Graded No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group presentations will be graded on a combination of critical engagement with the material, and delivery and design of presentation. Individual grades within groups will also include a critical reflection of student's own contribution to the project and peer reflection. Feedback will be delivered within 20 working days of the assessment individually to students via Brightspace. The portfolio will be built up over the trimester, based on activities in class sessions, and feedback will be provided via Brightspace following final submission. Students are welcome to discuss their portfolio progress with the module coordinator over the trimester.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Neil Carlin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Matthew Evans Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sean Leatherbury Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Barry Molloy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Lynda Mulvin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sun Park Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rob Sands Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 15:50
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