ARCV30020 Records, recordkeeping and accountability in public and private organisations

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module considers the management of records and information, increasingly in a predominantly digital form, in public and private sector organisations – these information assets are crucial for organisational governance and accountability as well as the rights of the individual and wider society.
The module addresses the defining characteristics of records, the scope of records management as a discipline and as a profession, and the challenges it faces. It introduces students to the principle issues which impact on the management and keeping of records, the theories, laws and standards which underpin these processes, the nature of records, the design and implementation of records management initiatives, digital records and the options available for their management, and the implementation of effective retention strategies. The module also considers the value of records management to the organisation through aspects such as continuity planning and risk management. Throughout the module there is emphasis on the need for records professionals to be cognizant of (and responsive to) the key factors which significantly shape records and information creation and management, including people, organisational cultures, information cultures, and technology trends in the workplace.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

• Define the purpose and scope of records management and how it has evolved
• Be familiar with the concepts and standards underpinning records management
• Identify the core activities and challenges in managing records in an organisation
• Be aware of key information legislation
• Develop awareness of the various issues and options for the management of digital records

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas: Week 1 Introduction to records management and the evolution of records creation and recordkeeping; Week 2 Records theory, concepts and key international standards; Weeks 3 and 4 Building the foundations for records management initiatives; Week 5 Implementing records management initiatives; Weeks 6 & 7 Records retention decisions;(Week 8 - reading break); Weeks 9 & 10 Managing electronic records: issues, approaches, systems, standards and evolving technologies; Week 11 - Vital records and managing risks; Week 12 - Concluding thoughts and future directions for records management.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

22
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

212
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small group module which is taught through weekly 2 hour seminars. Each seminar provides an overview of the week's topic, supported by the use of lecture slides, case studies and in-class activities, such as the analysis of relevant policy documents. Students are encouraged in individual active learning through participation in class discussions and in-class exercises. Autonomous learning includes the reading of relevant international standards and guidelines available on Brightspace in advance of the relevant class. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Reflective Assignment: This assignment requires you to complete a series of weekly journal entries discussing your learning experience from each class during the module. n/a Graded No

60
Assignment(Including Essay): Write a statement (of approximately 1,000 words) summarising the importance of good records management to organisations, supported by relevant secondary reading. n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback is given to each student via Brightspace following submission and grading. Formative feedback will be given to students if they wish to avail of it to support with the completion of the assignment worth 40%. For the learning journal, formative feedback is given to all students at the mid-point of the semester at a one-to-one meeting and each student also has the opportunity to avail of informal feedback on their first one or two journal entries. One to one oral feedback will be given to students following submission and grading of both assignments if requested.