SMNR: International Protection of Cultural Property

Course Information

Registration Information

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
WED, THU 3:30 - 5:20 pm JON 4.201C

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Paper

Description

What is the relationship between property rights and the public interest in the legal regulation of cultural objects? Is there a general interest of the international community in safeguarding cultural heritage? How can we define cultural heritage that is of outstanding universal value? What is the legal basis for protesting the intentional destruction of cultural property such as the Buddhas of Bamyan or the Mostar Bridge? What are the ethical and political imperatives for regulating trans-national markets in art and antiquities and for fighting illicit traffic in these objects? What is relationship between war and cultural heritage? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this seminar that will devoted to an examination of the legal tools developed in international law for the conservation and management of cultural property. The seminar will focus especially on the following topics: 1) legal means to combat illicit trade in cultural objects in light of the 1970 UNESCO Convention and 1995 UNIDROIT Convention; 2) litigations arising from unlawful acquisition and transfer of cultural property in occupied territories during the 2nd World War; 3) protection of cultural property during armed conflict: the 1954 Hague Convention and its 1999 Protocol; 4) safeguarding world cultural heritage under the 1972 UNESCO Convention: case studies; 5) underwater cultural heritage; 6) international protection of intangible cultural heritage (music, songs, theatre, dance, and oral heritage); 7) the relationship between cultural property, identity and human rights, 8) the outlawing of intentional destruction of cultural property of international significance. Students are required to prepare an oral presentation and to write a paper under the supervision of the instructor.

Instructors

Headshot of Francioni, Francesco Francioni, Francesco
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