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Dual Master
Vergelijk
Heritage and Memory Studies (Heritage Studies)

Restitution Studies

Are you fascinated by the hidden histories of looted objects and eager to explore how society addresses the rightful ownership of cultural treasures? The specialisation Restitution Studies allows you to dive deep into the journey of works of art and cultural goods, tracing their past and understanding the social, political, ethical, and moral implications tied to their ownership.

This specialisation explores three key areas of restitution:

  • The illicit trade in stolen antiquities
  • The cultural impact of World War II to this day and the return of looted works of art, ritual objects and books
  • The lasting effects of colonialism and the restitution of misappropriated objects and ancestral remains

Through engaging courses and an internship, you’ll gain the skills to analyse the complex stories behind looted objects, considering their history, the ethical dilemmas, and the legal and moral debates surrounding them. You’ll also examine the role of institutions in researching their collections and managing the return of looted and stolen cultural property.

This blend of academic insight and practical experience will prepare you for careers in the field of cultural heritage, provenance research, and law, including government agencies, museums, restitution committees, the art market (auction houses and art dealers) and the police, where you can advocate for justice and fairness in how objects are handled and returned.

A background in archaeology and prehistory, art history, history, cultural anthropology, cultural studies or a related field is ideal for this specialisation.

Discover Restitution Studies

In this video, a lecturer and a student in the field of Restitution Studies share their experiences of the programme at the University of Amsterdam.

Study programme

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Heritage & Memory Theory
    6

    This course introduces key figures in heritage and memory studies, exploring the rise of the "heritage industry." It examines how (contested) art, objects, and places have become integral to cultural heritage, focusing on both modern theory and its historical origins.

  • Looted Objects and Restitution
    6

    You will explore the looting of art during the Nazi and colonial periods, focusing on the complexities of restitution. It examines the historical, legal, and ethical challenges of returning looted objects, especially following the 1990s agreements on art looted by the Nazi’s.

  • Who owns the Past?
    12

    This course focuses on the contested nature of heritage sites and the politics of memory. You will explore the creation and appropriation of heritage, memorials, and exhibitions, while learning research methods like site analysis. The second part of the course is devoted to the preparation of your individual thesis and an excursion abroad to visit museums and other organisations and experts in the field of provenance research and restitution.

  • Method and Practice of Provenance and Restitution Research
    6

    This course covers the role of provenance research in the restitution of Nazi- and colonial looted objects. You will learn methods, challenges, and historical contexts, while engaging in research projects and visiting relevant collections.

  • Provenance, Provenience and Restitution: Tracing the Path of Archaeological and other cultural objects
    6

    This course is recommended, but you are free to choose other courses as well. You will explore the restitution of cultural objects and examine legal, ethical, and practical issues, focusing on traditions, values, and justice. Central questions include: where do cultural objects 'belong', and who should 'own' them?

  • Archieven en restitutie: van instrument tot object
    6

    This course is recommended, but you are free to choose other courses as well. You will examine archives both as sources for provenance research of objects and as objects of research themselves, such as archives with colonial origins. You will explore how documents end up in archives.

  • Thesis
    18

    You will refine your thesis plan based on feedback from staff and peers to improve research questions, methodology, structure, and feasibility. The Master’s thesis allows you to conduct original research under supervision, with the topic chosen in consultation with your lecturer and supervisor.

Compulsory course
Elective
UvA Course Catalogue: Specialisation Restitution Studies