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Course Objectives

1. To understand the nature of archival documents, as recorded information, and the institutions responsible for preserving them;
2. To understand the principles of archival science;
3. To explore methods of retrieving information from archival records, bearing in mind their organization and preservation;
4. To examine management systems for the intellectual and physical control of archival records;
5. To examine the impact of digital technology on archival management and outreach initiatives.

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Course Requirements and Grading

Required Assignments:

Students must submit one major essay over the course of the term, 13-15 pages double-spaced and worth 30% of their overall grade. On the first day of class (Sept. 11) students will be given a choice of essay topics, due no later than November 6.

Students are given the task of finding an exceptional archival website and submitting a critique (8-10 pages) of its outreach initiatives. Students are encouraged to discuss their choice with the instructor. The critique is worth 25% of the overall grade. Instructions on this assignment will be given on September 11 and the assignment is due on December 4 (Week 12).

Students will be given three practice-based exercises, each worth 15%.  Exercise 1 is based on applying learned principles of archival appraisal; Exercise 2 is based on applying learned principles of arrangement; Exercise 3 is based on reference services.

All assignments will be submitted to the instructor via email (preferably as Word docs).

All assignments will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Mastery of sources;
2. Quality of thought, writing, and expressive force;
3. Factual accuracy, clarity, conciseness and comprehensiveness.

The grade breakdown is as follows:

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Calendar of Topics

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