Using a contemporary example of opposing cultural property, critically evaluate the ideological and legal framework that exists to conserve such cultural artefacts.
To answer this question, based on your analysis and drawing on research you undertake, you must:
discuss the persecution of Bauhaus
use the above statement as a starting point to comparatively discuss your chosen contemporary example of an attack on cultural property
critically evaluate the ideological framework and the role of law in regulating protection of cultural property.
You are asked to explain and critically evaluate the extent to which law is used to regulate (this can include, make accessible, conserve, protect, etc.) cultural property. To do this, you are required to find and select a contemporary (recent or current) example. This must not be a law from the Third Reich (Nazi Germany, 1933–1945), but you may wish to make use of Nazi law to support your evaluation of your chosen example including as a comparator. If you focus on a law from the Third Reich, you will not meet the learning outcomes for this essay. In the context of the research and examples you choose to focus on, the ideological policy debate and national laws that exist should be highlighted. This ideological debate is invariably contested, and this should be explicitly presented.
The statement in the question acts as a premise for the question that follows, and it provides a context for the question in terms of indicating the role of law in protecting cultural property. Evaluation of your chosen law should be conducted in the light of the statement.
The choice of contemporary example to analyse is yours and the choice you make may lead you down different paths to answering the question. You may use examples from an authoritarian, totalitarian or fascist state, but of course you may select one from a democratic state. Whatever path you take, your response must be supported by independent research based on suitable, relevant and reliable sources and materials.
This essay question, therefore, requires you to do three things as far as the example you choose:
select a contemporary example of cultural property which has been opposed (other than from Nazi Germany), stating the choice you have made in your essay introduction
analyse the ideological and policy debate around this action
critically evaluate the legal framework that exists to protect such cultural artefacts.
The basic aim of this essay is to test your understanding and interpretation of the relationship between law, ideology and cultural property.
In your essay, it is important that you demonstrate an ability to conduct independent research and evaluate findings in a focused and in-depth way, rather than using broad, general statements. This means going beyond the module materials to find relevant and appropriate primary and secondary sources that relate to the question you are being asked, and critically engaging with these to construct an argument.
You need to demonstrate a critical understanding of the materials you employ in your argument. Simply reciting knowledge will not suffice. This means that you should choose materials that most effectively support the structure of your argument and enable you to focus your answer on the research question posed.
You will need to show your knowledge and understanding of the context of the cultural property you investigate and the ideological debate that informs the argument you make in relation to the legal issues. This should help you develop a coherent argument which expresses your views clearly and enables you to reach a reasoned conclusion.