ARCV40040

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module the student should be able to:
• Identify ways to better understand users and user needs in developing appropriate frameworks for access;
• Experience person-centred approaches through using archives as a family history researcher;
• Develop an access policy;
• Formulate best practice procedures for running a physical research room and for managing access in online spaces;
• Recognise digitisation as a key means of supporting enhanced access and plan a digitisation project;
• Be familiar with a range of outreach strategies including oral history.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas:
Week 1: Introduction to module; what do we mean by access?; Week 2: Understanding users and their needs; Week 3: Frameworks for access provision; Weeks 4 & 5: Providing services for users; Weeks 6 & 7: Digitising archives; Week 8: reading week - no class; Weeks 9 and 10: Oral histories; Weeks 11 & 12: Development & implementation of outreach initiatives

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. While there will be discussion in this module of the extent to which generative AI is being used by archivists to support and enhance access to archives, generative AI may not be used in assessments for the module. Any questions about this should be addressed to the module coordinator.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

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.

The bibliography for this module will be provided on Brightspace.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.