REMH04-Survey and Assessment of Heritage Assets

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Henry Russell
Email: h.j.g.russell@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module gives students the additional skills needed to assess the condition and performance of historic buildings of different ages and types of construction. Students will gain the advanced skills necessary for surveying historic buildings and understanding where special skills are required for conservation of glass and wall paintings, for example.? 

Aims:

The aims of this module are to introduce the student to the general principles of practical conservation, including techniques of survey and inspection, structural concepts, the agencies of decay and how they might be treated, and the sensitive issues of cleaning buildings.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to: 

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  identify and explain the philosophies of conservation as they are used in practical building conservation; 

  
  


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  critically assess given situations such that appropriate survey techniques can be recommended and justified; 

  
  


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  evidence an extensive understanding of how dampness and insect attack affect buildings; 

  
  


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  select, explain and justify those remedial measures which are appropriate to historic buildings; 

  
  

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  demonstrate a crucial understanding of the structural performance of historic buildings.

  
  

Additional outcomes:

• Enhance oral and communication skills through discussions and presentations in seminar sessions 

• Develop academic report writing skills through the module assignment 

Outline content:

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  Philosophical approaches to practical conservation 

  
  


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  Structural and engineering performance of historic buildings 

  
  

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  The agencies of decay, particularly dampness and insect attack 

  
  


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  Assessing the condition of historic buildings and their elements 

  
  


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  Non-invasive survey techniques 

  
  


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  Appropriate measures for repairing buildings 

  
  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is delivered a in block release format that involves a four day face to face teaching block with pre-course preparation plus online post-teaching support. The module is taught in an interactive format through seminars and workshops. An assessed individual project is the consolidating and integrating vehicle for the taught material. Students are encouraged to share information via Blackboard in the extended online support period which follows the face to face ele ment.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	12
Seminars	6
External visits	12
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	35
Wider reading (directed)	35
Essay preparation	100
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework:  

A major project, assesses all the learning outcomes of this module. Guide length 5,000 words. 

Assignment Submission Deadline: Week 22 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark for this module is 50%.

 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023