Courses

Tuesday, 10-12 c. t., Geschw.-Scholl-Pl.1 (F) - F 007

Culture and heritage establish profound and enduring connections among people, societies, and the world, shaping our sense of belonging, identity, and traditions. This course offers a critical and interdisciplinary exploration of heritage as a cultural and political concept, examining its role in both local and global discourses. By analyzing key topics and ongoing debates in Cultural Heritage Studies from various theoretical and epistemological perspectives, the course emphasizes the essential integration of theoretical frameworks for understanding the collective human experience—both past and present—to encourage rigorous and contextually appropriate approaches to interpreting and representing material, spatial, and cultural practices. Students will interrogate pivotal questions: What defines heritage? How do values, authenticity, and authority influence its preservation? Why are certain cultural objects, sites, and practices protected while others fade away? What consequences arise from the diverse approaches various groups take in appropriating and utilizing heritage? Is there a universally recognized human right to unrestricted access, expression, and preservation of heritage? And if such a right exists, how is it expressed? How do digital technologies and associated societal transformations impact heritage?

Drawing on theories from a variety of heritage-related fields and diverse case studies from around the world, the course will investigate heritage in both theoretical and applied contexts, addressing topics such as heritage as a cultural process; different uses of heritage; the ‘authorized heritage’ discourse; issues of authenticity and value in heritage; heritage and human rights; the role of heritage in nation, memory, and identity-building; the complex relationship among conflict, war, memories, and heritage; at-risk heritage; difficult heritage; heritage and social justice; intangible heritage and intellectual property; Indigenous heritage; the ethics of cultural heritage; the connections between heritage, forced migration, and the climate crisis; digital heritage, among others.

Thursday, 13-16 c. t., Geschw.-School-Pl. 1 (M) - M 207

This course conceives heritage as a cultural practice that is essential for shaping, overseeing, and reconciling the diverse values and meanings assigned to heritage on both local and global scales. Probing knowledge from the field of Critical Heritage Studies and utilizing the theories discussed in the lecture ‘Cultural Heritage Theory: Concepts, Debates, and Global Perspectives,’ students will explore the influence of contemporary heritage theories and concepts on vital discussions regarding the characterization of global, national, and local heritage, alongside considerations of universal, community, and individual rights. For example, we will ask: What constitutes heritage? Who possesses the authority to define it? Who should oversee its management and preservation? How does the concept of heritage both unite and potentially divide communities? We will also examine how globalization, migration, and climate change impact heritage issues and how the notion of heritage is evolving in the Digital Age. Through critical analysis and engagement with contemporary debates about heritage, students will develop their ability to analyze and challenge theoretical viewpoints, apply conceptual frameworks to real-world scenarios, and formulate informed interpretations and solutions to pressing issues in the field.

Wednesday, 10-12 c. t., Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1 (E), room E 341

This course provides a comprehensive theoretical exploration of computational thinking for humanities research, focusing on algorithm structures, data structures, analysis techniques, and artificial intelligence. Students will engage in discussions to classify, contrast, and characterize computational thinking approaches, such as sorting algorithms, natural language processing techniques, and clustering methods, while examining their applicability to tasks like text analysis, metadata classification, network visualization, or computer vision, in humanities research.
Through debates and readings, students will argue, reflect, and improve their understanding of how specific solutions can be effectively applied to humanities analysis. They will compare and analyze methods to determine their relevance in specific contexts, identifying scenarios in which one approach is superior or more suitable compared to others.
The goal of this course is to foster a nuanced awareness of algorithmic and computational methods while empowering students to transfer this knowledge to real-world humanities challenges, such as analyzing large corpora of historical texts or constructing relational or graph databases for archival research.

Previous knowledge of programming, specifically in the Python programming language, is required to attend this course.

Wednesday, 14-16, CIP-Pool 2, Akademiestraße 7 (backyard)

This course builds upon the P2 module seminar/exercise pair, taking students further into Machine Learning applications in Cultural Heritage.

The course will again be built on the python programming language. With a foundation of the basic ML algorithms learned in the previous course, this semester will explore more image-based applications.

Previous knowledge on programming, specifically on the Python programming language, is required to attend this course.

Monday, 14-17 c. t., CIP-Pool Akademiestraße 7 (backyard)

Heritage professionals and archaeologists have long utilized laser scanning or Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) techniques to digitize artifacts and museum objects or to document and map historic buildings, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes. In this course, you will develop competencies in laser scanning applications in cultural heritage and archaeology through field and computer lab activities, which will introduce basic principles and toolsets. Exercises encompass multiple workflows, including digitization or site planning, scanning, processing raw data (scans), creating derived products (i.e., digital drawings, 3D mesh models, and digital elevation models), and data visualization for analysis and dissemination purposes. Covered techniques may include object digitization using structured light scanning, architectural documentation using terrestrial laser scanning, and site and landscape mapping using airborne LiDAR, among others. You will complete several exercises and present your work at the Institute for Digital Cultural Heritage XR Lab. Excursion(s) will complement the laboratory activities and expose students to real case studies.

This exercise course covers the following key concepts and toolsets in laser scanning and mapping applications for cultural heritage and archaeology: laser scanning technology (e.g., different types of scanners and applications, proprietary versus open-source scanning software, processing workstations); planning (e.g., analyze site/collection conditions; workflow planning; site planning; data management; end products); data capture (e.g., laser safety; operational safety; calibration; range and coverage; resolution and accuracy; intensity and color; control and georeferencing; common mistakes); data processing (e.g., raw vs. pre-processed; cleaning; noise and distance filtering; segmentation; sectioning; classification; meshing; rendering; vectorization for CAD/BIM; exporting and file formats; image-based output); basic considerations on data analysis for research-driven applications (e.g., data fusion, data integration with BIM and CAD, further analysis in GIS; cloud integration); basic visualization principles and tools (e.g., GIS visualization tools; rendering; animation).

Monday, 10-13 c. t., CIP-Pool Akademiestraße 7 (backyard)

This course builds on the "Introduction to Programming for Humanists" course taught in the winter semester.
It will cover topics that prepare students to develop more realistic programming projects (as opposed to simply scripting).

Topics will include (but are not limited to):
Visual Studio Code / GitHub Integration
Object Oriented Code
PDF Parsing
Recursion, Try/Except loops
Quarto
SSH/Docker
Quarto 2
Code Ocean

Some previous basic knowledge of Python is required for the course. For information please contact the instructor.

Block Course: 20.07 - 24.07, 9-17 c. t., CIP-Pool Akademiestraße 7 (backyard)

The course will familiarize students with an optimized digital photogrammetry workflow for the cultural heritage sector, with a focus on challenging objects in a museum context. The subjects covered will include advanced photography techniques, as well as pre- and postprocessing using the programs RawTherapee, Adobe Lightroom, RealityScan, Zbrush, and Marmoset ToolBag. Key concepts will include photographs correction, image masking, cross polarization for shiny objects, macro digital photogrammetry, model remeshing, UV and texture optimization, and baking. Scheduled museum sessions will also expose students to proper protocols of object handling under the supervision of a curator.

Previous experience with RealityScan software is required.

Tuesday, 14-16 c. t., Akademiestr. 7, Room 302

This seminar explores the transition from traditional Semantic Web technologies to the current era of Large Language Models (LLMs), specifically focusing on how these tools converge to aid in knowledge management, restoration documentation, and public engagement.

Thursday, 10-12 c. t., SMÄK (State Museum of Egyptian Art)

As part of the course, the SMÄK’s current projects on the use of digital technologies in museum work will be examined through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions. The following topics, amongst others, will be covered:

• General introduction to the SMÄK: the concept of a museum, its function and significance, historical development, and the history of the SMÄK’s collection
• Online collection: database project and AR viewer
• Redesign of the media guide: content and format
• Media stations: overview and current example of the Assyrian reliefs
• Cultural education: workshop programmes, analogue scavenger hunt and AR game
• ‘Childhood on the Nile’: concept and planning of a family exhibition with exhibition catalogue; visit to the exhibition
• Inscription project and multispectral imaging
• 3D reconstructions: statues, coffins and reliefs
• EU Horizon Project Excalibur: SMÄK as a use case
• Current research projects: reconstruction of the statues of Radjedef
• Coffin project: restoration, analyses and digital presentation
• Handling of human remains
• ‘Green Museum’ (sustainability)
• Social media; promotional film

Block course: July 17, 18, 24, 25 from 9-17 c. t., SMÄK (State Museum of Egyptian Art)

Two-weekend hackathon at the Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst, München

Participants choose from curated real-world challenges and project ideas proposed by actual AI startups, museums, and digital cultural heritage / archaeology contexts or join an Open Innovation track and bring a suitable team project of their own. Working in small teams, participants explore no-/low-code AI tools to prototype solutions through research, design, testing, and (optionally) lightweight technical demos.

The format is open to beginners and experienced participants alike: challenges can be tackled at different levels, and participants learn from each other through interactive teamwork, expert coaching, and optional remote check-ins for preparation. Project topics aim towards AI augmented workflows, and include process optimization, GenAI, agentic use cases, AI-augmented work processes, and immersive museum experiences. Outcomes include a documented prototype concept, a tested user flow, and a realistic roadmap for implementation in digital cultural heritage settings, plus a short final presentation.

Block course: 27.07 - 31.07, 9-18 c. t., Akademiestr. 7 room 002 (backyard)

The course provides a specialised workflow for digital cultural heritage, using the free and open-source software Blender. Moving from theoretical foundations to practical applications, the programme will cover the entire 3D pipeline, including advanced modelling techniques, texturing, shading, and 3D animation. Students will learn how to optimise assets for various purposes, ranging from high-quality, photorealistic rendering for classic film production to real-time visualisation. Furthermore, the course explores the transition from desktop environments to the web, demonstrating how to use WebGL platforms to create interactive 3D web experiences. By the end of the week, students will be able to transform cultural data into versatile digital assets suitable for cinematic storytelling and interactive online curation.

Exercise course: Friday 14-17 c. t., Akademiestr. 7 room 002 (backyard)

Basics of Semantic Web technologies and Linked Data principles.
RDF data model for representing structured information
SPARQL to query semantic data and answer research questions.
Knowledge graphs.