Introduction to Heritage Interpretation

This course teaches the foundation of heritage interpretation. Interpretation is defined as “A mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resources” (National Association of Interpretation) and usually is used as an educational method to teach about the meanings of heritage to the audiences. This course teaches the basic concepts and theories about heritage interpretation, and technical skills in how to plan, implement, and evaluate interpretive programs.

This course consists of 10 modules, including:

1. Reviewing the Basics
2. Exploring Our Roots
3. Interpretation Theory Part 1
4. Interpretation Theory Part 2
5. Program Preparation Part 1
6. Program Preparation Part 2
7. Message Delivery Techniques
8. Program Delivery Part 1
9. Program Delivery Part 2, and
10. Self-Improvement

This course can be used to complement a Guiding course. The materials in this course will be beneficial to the governmental, private, public-private, non-governmental. Specifically, the materials in this course will be beneficial to educators (teachers and lecturers), tour guides, hobbyists, students, naturalists, and many others, or anyone who simply wants to learn basic knowledge of heritage interpretation. It is encouraged that students of this course practice the skills beyond the course to have a more thorough understanding about the foundation of interpretation.