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The
training overseen by the University of Delaware at the Iraqi Institute is
divided into two levels: Introductory (Fundamentals of Conservation) and
Advanced (Conservation Treatment and Planning). The Fundamentals course gives a
broad understanding of the international standards and skills in the field
based on the concept of Preventive Conservation; it is better to stop damage
and deterioration before it happens instead of fixing problems later. These
ideas and skills can be used no matter what position the Iraqi individuals
hold: conservator, collections manager, curator, archaeologist, exhibit
specialist, or administrator. The Advanced course, designed for individuals who
have passed the Fundamentals course with identified skills and distinction,
focuses more directly on developing the knowledge of people who will work in
architectural site conservation.
At the end of the Architectural Site Conservation Course, students will have the skills to conduct library and internet research on architectural conservation topics, understand the legal and policy frameworks of international conservation, utilize standard terminology for architectural conservation projects, appropriately identify and evaluate the significance of a historic building, document historic buildings using measured drawings and photographs, understand the basic materials and systems of historic buildings, identify causes of deterioration and decay in historic buildings, recommend basic emergency stabilization procedures for historic buildings, and recommend the initial steps required to plan for future evaluations and treatments of historic buildings and sites.