ARCV40040

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module the student should be able to:
• Formulate best practice procedures for running a research room
• Demonstrate the potential of the web and social media to enhance and develop user services and widen access
• Recognise the ways in which archives can engage with communities and encourage less passive user experiences, particularly
in the context of oral history projects.
• Be aware of the main challenges that can be encountered in the provision of access to archive collections
• Develop an awareness of the experience of using archives as a researcher

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas:
Week 1: Definitions of access and outreach, perceptions of the user; Week 2: Understanding users and their needs; Week 3: Framing services for users; Weeks 4 & 5: Providing services for users; Week 6: Archives and the online space; Week 7: Trauma-centred approaches and affect; Week 8: reading week; Weeks 9 and 10: Oral history: theory and practice; Week 11: Exhibiting archives; Week 12: Broadening outreach - education and community engagement.

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

This is a small-group module. It is taught through a two-hour weekly seminar. Each seminar, some of which feature contributions from guest lecturers, provides an overview of the week’s topic, focusing upon different aspects of providing access to archives, e.g. the development of access frameworks, managing the on- site and online research room, exhibitions etc. There is a focus upon individual active / task-based learning by means of class discussion, group work and in-class exercises. Advanced skills are developed through a focus on the experience of the user of archives, the evaluation of various outreach activities and planning the provision of services. Autonomous learning is advanced through ongoing assignments.

Not applicable to this module.

Equivalents:
Archives and their Users (HIS40040)


 

Assessment Strategy  

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback on the assignments is given in Brightspace. General feedback is given in class and also by appointment if requested by individual students.