Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Conservation, Restoration of Cultural Property and Sacred Art (Open for Admission)

Hybrid
126 credits
For students entering the program at the Freshman level
(Please click here for more info on the Freshman program)
96 credits
For students entering the program at the Sophomore level
(holders of a recognized Baccalaureate or Freshman diploma - equivalent to 30 credits)

Courses

General Education
Civic Engagement
2 credits
English and French Communication
3 credits
CHM210Fundamentals of Chemistry
3 credits
CVA210Fundamentals of Computer Graphics
3 credits
The objective of this course is to give the student the opportunity to make a personal work of exploration and plastic experimentation. The student will use the techniques of watercolor, pastel, and oil painting to create new plastic compositions according to the themes proposed by the teacher.
BIO228General Botany
3 credits
DAA241General History of Art
3 credits    |    Pre-requisite: LFR120
The objective of the course is to give students an understanding of the chronological order of events that constitute the history of art. They will use the methodological tools of the discipline, to learn how to situate, compare and understand the relationships between them through a study of their stylistic characteristics and their socio­-historical context.
History
3 credits
PHO224Introduction to Photography
2 credits
General theoretical training providing for the practical and esthetic achievement of photos by students, according to the needs of their field.
Religious Sciences
3 credits
Sports
1 credits
Common Core
CRCS425Applied Chemistry for Restoration
3 credits
CRCS450Applied Microbiology for the Cultural Heritage
3 credits
The following items will be developed and investigated through the analyses of some cases selected on the basis of the main types of artistic artifacts.
- Diversity of biodeteriogens and biodeterioration processes.
- Environmental factors affecting biological contamination.
- Biodegradation and biodeterioration.
- Biodeterioration agent’s diversity; technical analysis (microbiological, botanical entomological analysis).
CRCS210Applied Physics for the Cultural Heritage
3 credits
PART I: elements of physics
Atomic physics, physical properties of materials, electromagnetic spectrum (infrared, ultraviolet and x-rays), particles as probe in diagnostic, radiation-matter interaction. Raman effect, radioactive decay
PART II: diagnostic techniques
Optical spectroscopy (Raman, Ir and UV), thermography, electron microscopy and microanalysis, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), traditional radiography and tomography (TAC), X-ray diffraction, ion beam
techniques (outlines), colorimetry, dating methods based on radioactivity.
PART III: Laboratory experiments.
Portable XRF (demonstrative); Electron microscopy and microanalysis (demonstrative); IR spectroscopy (demonstrative); Measure of gas emission spectra using a spectrophotometer; Subtractive and additive color; colorimeter (demonstrative); Digital Radiography;
CRCS315Biochemistry for the Cultural Heritage
3 credits
ARC222CAD I
2 credits
ARC322CAD II
2 credits
CRCS410Chemistry for the Cultural Heritage
3 credits
Degradation and decay of historical and artistic artifacts.
The degradation causes. Environmental and anthropic factors. Role of atmospheric pollutants. The chemical and physical mechanisms of degradation.
Degradation of the materials
Ageing of organic materials. The mechanism of oxidation and promoting agents. Decay of binders and of pictorial varnishes. Degradation of cellulosic and protein materials, and analogous: wood, paper, textiles.
The degradation of stone materials, naturals and artificial. Mural paintings.
The degradation of metals: corrosion processes in particular cases of artistic interest.
Methodology of restoration interventions.
Cleaning, consolidation, protection.
Solvents and solutions. Reactive solvents. Vapor pressure, boiling point, viscosity. Retention.
Organic solvents: structure, polarities, solvent power. Solubility parameter and Teas triangle.
Toxicity and risks management.
Aqueous methods: surface tension and wettability; surfactants: structures and characteristics.
Emulsions: o/w and w/o. Resin soaps.
Thickening agents: gels, solvent gels. Poultices. Chelating agents: structures, reactions and applications.
Enzymes in conservation: structure, types, mechanism of action.
Consolidation. Organic and inorganic products. Surface and bulk consolidation.
Evaluation criteria: compatibility of materials, reversibility, efficacy.
Traditional inorganic consolidants.
Organic consolidants.
The structure of polymer compounds: definitions, nomenclature, classifications. Examples of chemical structures and of architectures. Molecule weights and averages.
Silicon based products.
Polymers for consolidation and for protection.
Regulations and standard protocols for interventions on cultural assets.
CRCS305Christian & Medieval Archeology
3 credits
This course provides information on the essential basis of Christian and medieval archeology, either from a historical point of view of this discipline or from a methodological point of view, presenting the development of research themes, results and methodological problems, including the reading of some archaeological contexts.
CRCS400Cultural Property Legislation
1 credits
CRCS220Documentation and Representation
2 credits
The course aims to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to consciously apply the language of design, aimed at analyzing, understanding, relieving and communicating on the morphology of the paintings artifacts, the wooden artifacts and multi-material artifacts. Part of the course is dedicated to the documentation and cataloging of cultural heritage as a first approach to knowledge. The course aims to provide, on the one hand, a basic understanding of the historical and scientific foundations of the encoded methods of graphic representation that allows you to read the geometric structure in the works of figurative art, and on the other hand, the theoretical and practical tools for analyzing representation of artifacts of a different nature through conventional language.The techniques of representation used will range from the traditional ones of freehand drawing and technical drawing to digitally-supported drawing using specific software, with particular reference to the documentation of restoration sites. The course aims to direct the student in the use of techniques and methods for detection and graphical representation for the purposes of analytical and synthetic problems of graphic documentation for the restoration of cultural heritage.
ARC240History of Christian Iconography
3 credits
CRCS310Petography for the Cultural Heritage
3 credits
Scientific and technical-commercial criteria for the classification of natural stone materials used in Cultural Heritage. Analysis of most common rock-types, focusing on historical stone materials from local country. Petrographic techniques relevant to Cultural Heritage, with examples of current analytical methods; representation of analytical results. Basic elements for the petrographic description of mortars. Types, mechanisms and causes of deterioration of historic and contemporary natural stone materials. Italian and European standards and recommendations concerning the use and conservation of natural stone materials. Petro-archeometric and conservation case studies.
CRCS320Science & Technology of Materials
3 credits
This course aims to provide knowledge on elements of structural chemistry and thermodynamics which are useful for understanding the chemical and physical phenomena of polymeric materials. These bases can be used to improve the choice of materials and interventions to be made in the conservation of cultural heritage.
CRCS205Theory & Techniques of Restoration I
3 credits
Study, analysis and actualization of the works of C. Brandi, Theory of restoration, Rome 1963: definition of "restoration", the subject-matter of the artwork, the potential unit, time, historical value and aesthetic value, preventive restoration, falsification. Comparison with the theory of restoration of G. Urbani. . History of restoration from the origins to the 18th century: remake, repaint, integration, transfer of frescoes to canvas, revolutionary vandalism, requisitions and refunds.
CRCS405Theory & Techniques of Restoration II
3 credits
The first part of the course will focus on the following topics:
- Definition, methods and areas of museology;
- History, identity and aims of the museum from the studio and the Wunderkammer to the XIXth models and the different kinds of the contemporary museum;
- Legislation, standards and professions.
In aim of pointing out the relation between museums and the restoration culture, the second part will describe some paradigmatic cases of this interaction within the local context during the XIXth and the XXth Centuries.
Specialization
CRCS275Artwork Lab II + Internship
4 credits
Phenomena of alteration and deterioration of wooden objects: Analysis of the causes and phenomenology of degradation. Methods and materials of treatments for preservation and restoration (disinfection, consolidation, sanitation support) - Plotting and documentation of objects - Prevention and Safety in restoration and construction laboratories - Resilient pack and structures - Integration of missing elements and mouldings.
CRCS375Artwork Lab IV + Internship
4 credits
The phenomenology of degradation and treatment methodologies of the textile support: rheological performance of constituent materials. Analysis of the causes and phenomenology of the degradation of the support, preparatory layers and illustrations - History of techniques and traditional methods of restoration - Illustration of case studies - Velinatura, pre-consolidation technique, consolidation and joining layers - Improvement of the surface by lowering the cracks, treatment of acidification and cleaning of repaired textiles. Structural reorganization of layers: rheological performance of constituent materials. History of traditional techniques and methods for the structural recovery of paints - Illustration of case studies - Innovative technologies applied to textiles - lining and insertion of lining pads - lining with synthetic products - tension systems - illustration of case studies.
CRCS475Artwork Lab VI+ Internship
4 credits
Artworks: structural improvements of the layers
Rheological performance of constituent materials. History of traditional techniques and methods for the structural recovery of paintings. Illustration of case studies - Techniques of total and partial lining, insertions, compensation - innovative technologies applied to textiles - lining and insertion of lining pads; - lining with synthetic products - tension systems - illustration of case studies.
Techniques for cleaning polychrome artworks: : cleaning the surfaces and elimination of overlapped substances - Materials and methods: acidic medium and water base, thickeners, buffer solutions, organic solvents, solvents gels, emulsions, pregelatinized resin soaps - Emulsions, thickening agents. Illustration of case studies - Exercises and laboratory tests to identify cleaning products and methods.
CRCS370Artwork Lab III
4 credits
Phenomena of alteration and deterioration of wooden objects: Analysis of the causes and phenomenology of degradation. Methods and materials of treatments for conservation and restoration (disinfection, consolidation, sanitation support) - Plotting and documentation of objects - Prevention and safety in restoration laboratories and in construction sites - Parchettatura and elastic restraint structures - integration of missing elements and mouldings.
CRCS470Artwork Lab V
4 credits
Artworks: structural improvements of layers - Rheological performance of constitutive materials. History of traditional techniques and methods for the structural recovery of paintings. Illustration of case studies - Techniques of total and partial lining, insertions, compensation - innovative technologies applied to textiles - lining and insertion of lining pads - lining with synthetic products - tension systems - illustration of case studies. Techniques for cleaning polychrome artworks: cleaning the surfaces and elimination of overlapped substances - Materials and methods: acidic medium and water base, thickeners, buffer solutions, organic solvents, solvents gels, emulsions, pregelatinized resin soaps - Emulsions, thickening agents. Illustration of case studies - Exercises and laboratory tests aiming to identify cleaning products and methods.
CRCS270Conservation & Restoration Lab I
4 credits
This course is a part of the applied lessons and practical work in conservation and restoration. Lessons Applied: Book Script Terminology - Book Archeology - Copper and Parchment: Origin and Manufacture - Identification of Animal Species and Skin Recognition - Factor Degradation - Card Format and File Creation - Technique Photography and images for the restoration and conservation of cultural property Practical activities: sewing test - realization of the primary and secondary capital - proof of beveling in copper and parchment - proof of beveling and restoration - execution of a modern ligature.
CRCS490Final Project
3 credits
Electives
DIPN305Archives, Bibliography and Library Sciences
3 credits
CRCS415History of Science & Technology
3 credits
ITL225Italian II
3 credits
CRCS330Museography
3 credits
This course is designed for students for students aspiring to specialize in museology and museography, for future museum professionals. As an introduction to this discipline, it aims to provide basic theoretical formation and a first approach to museum management. Its objective is to enable students to acquire knowledge and skills by covering a wide range of fundamental subjects specific to the museum institution. Thus, throughout seven thematic chapters, the history, the definition and the important diversity of museums, the different roles and functions exercised by the museum nowadays, the question of its community, will be studied successively, and look in depth at the four essential functions or missions of the current museum, which are: the presentation, conservation, scientific research, and animation. The detailed examination of the museological and museography questions discussed will be illustrated by numerous reference examples at the local and international levels. The course will also include the analysis of specialized documentaries projected in class.In terms of personal work, the students will have to work on a research project which includes the visit and the study of a Lebanese museum of their choice (in various aspects: history, conception, museum layout, activities, etc.), followed by a written report and an oral presentation on the institution and the pieces on display
Pre-approved CRCS 400 level course
3 credits
CRCS410Science & Technology of Materials
3 credits    |    Pre-requisite: CRCS320
This course aims to provide knowledge on elements of structural chemistry and thermodynamics which are useful for understanding the chemical and physical phenomena of polymeric materials. These bases can be used to improve the choice of materials and interventions to be made in the conservation of cultural heritage.

Mission

Considering the richness and the diversity of the Lebanese cultural and artistic heritage in general, and the religious cultural legacy in particular, the Bachelor of Arts in Conservation, Restoration of Cultural Property and Sacred Art has been created in order to meet the specific and urgent needs to preserve and restore this national heritage. The curriculum provides all the theoretical and practical knowledge related to the preservation, protection, and documentation of painted artworks on fabrics and wooden support.

Program Educational Objectives

1. Graduates will be able to analyze the historical, artistic and scientific values of an artwork, and propose a restoration/preservation study.
2. Graduates will possess the ability to complete a restoration or conservation project on any artwork made on fabric or a wooden support.
3. Graduates will be capable of understanding the value of sacred art items, and will contribute to the preservation of the national cultural goods.

Student Learning Outcomes

a. Preparing a conservation study which includes the description of the item, the method that will be followed, materials that will be used, and intervention proposals and measures.
b. Acquiring basic knowledge in restoring and conserving an artifact and developing technical, artistic and scientific abilities and methodology to safely execute the proposals of a preservation study.
c. Applying directly and effectively the scientific, technological and artistic knowledge and skills on an artwork made on fabric or a wooden support.
d. Explaining the techniques, media and iconography of any sacred art item using the appropriate vocabulary.

BROCHURE

Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Tel.: (+961) 9 600 000
Fax : (+961) 9 600 100
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