Academics

This is an Interdisciplinary Minor in Heritage Studies (HSM) offers broad coverage of different approaches to heritage theory and practice, including interdisciplinary perspectives from Anthropology, Archaeology, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture, History, Geography, Education, and other fields. Heritage studies faculty work collaboratively with each other and across the globe, focusing on a range of cultures and time periods from prehistoric to contemporary. The HSM appears on the student’s transcript.

As this is a dual Graduate Minor program, further information can also be found at the Department of Landscape Architecture website.

Graduate Minor in Heritage Studies

Program Description

The graduate Minor in Heritage Studies and Preservation offers broad coverage of different approaches to heritage theory and practice, including interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, archaeology, architecture, education, geography, historic preservation, history, landscape architecture, information sciences, and urban and regional planning. Heritage studies faculty work collaboratively at Illinois and across the globe, focusing on a range of cultures and time periods. We have particular strengths in issues related to industrial heritage, deindustrialization, and strategies for community engagement.

Program Admission

Students must be admitted to a graduate program at the University of Illinois in order to undertake the Minor in Heritage Studies and Preservation. Admission to the Minor is contingent upon approval of the student’s home department. New students interested in pursuing the Minor should contact Prof. Kathryn Holliday, Chair of the Minor, upon matriculation to the University to declare their intent and to develop a course of study. Students already enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Illinois may also apply for admission to the Minor at any time, but they are advised to do so as early in their studies as possible so as to have time to complete its requirements.

There are no prerequisites for admission to the Minor in Heritage Studies other than admission to a university graduate program. The Minor does not require prior practical experience in heritage work, though students are encouraged to obtain such experience during their graduate work at the University of Illinois. The Steering Committee for the Minor in Heritage Studies and Preservation reviews student progress in consultation with each student’s academic advisor.

Program Requirements

To complete the Minor in Heritage Studies, students must take 2 of the following 5 core courses:

Take two additional course(s) from either list above or other standard offerings listed on the Heritage Studies and Preservation program web page. Other course offerings may be considered as a course substitution with approval from the Chair of the minor. Graduate students should consult with the Chair, Prof. Kathryn Holliday and Dr. Lori Davis, Academic Programs and Student Affairs Coordinator in the Department of Landscape Architecture, to monitor progress and for assistance in certifying the completion of requirements.

In addition to coursework, the minor requires students to complete a brief self-assessment upon completion of the minor. While the minor formerly required a capstone project, for students enrolling in 2025 or later this requirement is no longer in place.

Additional elective courses may include (but are not limited to)

Program Contact Information

Dr. Erin Riggs, Department of Anthropology Contact  
Department of Anthropology
University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign
Email: eriggs@illinois.edu

Dr. Kathryn Holliday, Department of Landscape Architecture Contact
Department of Landscape Architecture
University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign
Email: keh202@illinois.edu