Request Information
Apply Now
Campus TourHeritage Resource Management
Certificate Program
Cliff Palace, Gettysburg Battlefield, Algonquian Origin Stories, the Strater Hotel, Stonehenge. What do all of these have in common? They represent the cultural heritage of a contemporary or past group of people.
These heritage resources are non-renewable resources, providing a sense of identity, pride, nationalism and even exploitation. Today traditions are being compromised by a rapidly expanding global economy all over the world. As communities struggle to preserve their cultural identity, they are often faced with challenging decisions.
Legal and ethical issues related to the use and development of open space have become increasingly more significant and complex over the past half century. Legislation has been enacted to preserve heritage resources.
"As communities grow, we need to consider the impact on our cultural resources," says Dr. Charles Riggs, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of the certificate program.
Many employers, from government and tribal agencies to private developers, are looking for people with proven understanding and experience in the preservation and management of cultural resources. A Heritage Resource Management Certificate from Fort Lewis College would make you more competitive in the job market by providing a set of skills that employers are increasingly demanding as they struggle to comply with legislation related to the management of cultural heritage resources.
Fort Lewis is offering three tracks for its Heritage Resource Management program:.
The first track is a certificate in Cultural Resource Management (CRM). This is primarily for anthropology students interested in a career in the rapidly expanding field of CRM. It is, however, also intended for realtors, developers and others seeking training in the laws and methods used to protect cultural resources.
The Heritage Preservation option is connected closely with the Fort Lewis College American Indian Studies major. It is intended for tribal members and others in government agencies and the private sector who work to preserve cultural resources, including languages and traditions as well as archaeological sites.
The Heritage Tourism option works closely with the college's School of Business Administration . This option is designed for people in the tourism and recreation industry, who guide tourists through archaeological sites or places of significance to indigenous peoples. The program focuses on the legal and ethical issues related to the visitation of places designated as important heritage resource areas. It also introduces them to archaeology, anthropology and indigenous cultures through a comprehensive list of available electives.
To learn more about this certificate program, contact our professors.
As communities struggle to preserve their cultural identity, they are often faced with challenging decisions. Students who take part in the Preservation Heritage program often consider these decisions and their impact on cultural resources.