{"id":5244,"date":"2015-06-14T21:49:19","date_gmt":"2015-06-15T01:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/preservation\/?page_id=5244"},"modified":"2025-04-23T13:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T17:49:35","slug":"electives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/preservation\/academics\/courses\/electives\/","title":{"rendered":"Electives & Concentration Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"

In addition to the five required core courses<\/a>, students in the MA in Preservation Studies must take a total of seven other courses: five in their chosen Concentration and two other relevant Electives. The program\u2019s core faculty periodically offers specialized preservation courses, such as under the following Preservation menu.<\/p>\n

Preservation<\/h3>
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CAS AH 548 Global Heritage Conservation<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Examining global approaches towards heritage conservation through a study of concepts, charters and case studies, using themes such as world heritage, cultural tourism, historic towns, new design, intangible heritage, authenticity, integrity, recent past, historic landscapes, conflict, disasters, revitalization and reconstruction.<\/p>\n

CAS AM 501 Special Topics in American Studies: Reading and Envisioning Historical Landscapes<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As living heritage, historic landscapes require careful preservation planning and maintenance in order to be safeguarded and remain relevant. The course explores through the use and study of case studies, the multi-disciplinary approaches that are part of the preparation of landscape management and maintenance plans and visions, such as Cultural Landscape Reports. Methods to research, document and analyze landscapes are will be studied, and one significant landscape in the Boston area functions as the main hands-on project site.<\/p>\n

CAS AM 501 Research Seminar in American Studies, Special Topic: Adaptive Reuse and Revitalization<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This seminar course critically explores and analyzes American examples of completed projects and employed design approaches, with a comparison of international practices. Class discussion and analysis of projects and readings are be combined with field trips. As a final project each class member explores an adaptive reuse or revitalization project.<\/p>\n

CAS AM 502 Research Seminar in American Studies, Special Topic: Preservation and the Vernacular Environment<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This seminar explores the unique challenges and solutions for preserving the vernacular environment\u2014broadly construed as \u201ceveryday\u201d buildings and landscapes\u2014that many established preservation tools are ill-equipped to serve. From triple-deckers to rural farmsteads to postwar suburbs to fieldstone dams, this course demonstrates the importance of the mundane in the built environment and how to save ensure its survival.<\/p>\n

CAS AM 502 Research Seminar in American Studies, Special Topic: Ethics of Preservation<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This course focuses on the laws and policies of historic preservation on a national and international level and connects those laws and policies to ethical issues in myriad venues. What are the ethical and legal dimensions of historic preservation? Who should control historically significant places and things? To whom and to what are preservationists accountable? This course addresses these issues and more by examining how the past is employed for social, political, and economic purposes in the context of legal and policy frameworks.<\/p>\n

CFA AR 535 Landscape Design and Preservation Studio<\/strong><\/h4>\n

An introduction to landscape design in the context of a historical landscape through a sequence of projects. Students will learn design, documentation and presentation techniques as they create a concept and redevelopment vision, while incorporating narratives, context, genius loci and public uses. Work will be advanced through studio exploration with critical discussions and presentations with the instructor, peers and guest critics.<\/p>\n

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Courses offered by other departments<\/h3>\n

Many Concentration and Elective courses are offered by our affiliated departments and programs. Below is a selection of sample courses for our Electives or Concentrations that are listed under the following departments and programs. Visit the departments\u2019 websites to explore all their courses and<\/strong>\u00a0to see which ones are being available in the upcoming semester<\/strong>\u00a0as courses are offered on a rotational basis.<\/p>\n

Note: Graduate students must take classes at the 500+ level. Courses at 300+ level are occasionally approved as graduate level Directed Study courses with permission of the instructor and Preservation Studies Director.<\/em><\/p>\n

American Studies<\/h3>
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See the full range of scheduled American Studies courses here<\/a>.<\/p>\n