ARCV40340 Record Keeping Theory & Principles

Academic Year 2021/2022

The ability to reflect on the key theoretical ideas that have informed the discipline of archivistics and to apply these ideas to a research project is a vital element of the training of the contemporary records professional. This module introduces students to the different understandings of the archive and the record that have informed practice since the emergence of the modern profession in the nineteenth century. Focusing on the area of appraisal, i.e. the process of deciding which records have continuing value, the module explores the paradigm of archives as evidence as it is revealed in the Dutch Manual and the works of Hilary Jenkinson. It then moves then to examine the approach to appraisal adopted by Theodore Schellenberg, that, reflecting a change in theoretical values and practical realities, gave a more active role to the profession in deciding which records were of continuing value. How this professional role was understood in the light of social change and postmodernism is explored by examining the approaches to appraisal developed by Terry Cook, Helen Samuels and others. The final theoretical part of the module discusses the significance of more recent ideas of Flinn, Gilliland, Caswell, Douglas and others, around the meaning of records to both the community and the individual and assesses their impact on deciding what becomes the archives of the future. Moving from the discussion of the main ideas informing the profession, the second part of this module explores how to design archives and records management research, providing practical assistance on how to identify a topic suitable for a postgraduate thesis. The module provides guidance on how to find and synthesize literature relevant to a research topic and how to deal with the issue of research ethics. It outlines the range of methods and techniques that can be used to conduct research and introduces students to the components of a dissertation. The module combines lectures and seminars with presentations by current and former MA and doctoral students about conducting research projects in archivistics.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module:
Demonstrate familiarity with the history of writing and theorizing about archives and records.
Critically assess the significance of various strategies for appraising archives from both a theoretical and practical perspective.
Begin to formulate a thesis proposal covering areas such as research question, ethics, research design and methods.
Identify and appropriately discuss literature relevant to an archival / records management research topic.
Critically assess the merits of different research methods in conducting archivistics research.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas: Week 1 Introducing thinking and writing about archives; Week 2 Exploring archives as evidence - the writings of Hilary Jenkinson; Week 3 Archives and Memory; the theory and practice of Theodore Schellenberg; Week 4 : Thinking about Societal approaches - Documentation Strategies; Weeks 5: The influence of Postmodernism - the theory and practice of macroappraisal; Week 6: Community Archives; Week 7: Reading Week; Week 8: The archives of the individual; Week 9: Approaching the Dissertation: Topics, Literature Review, Research Ethics ; Week 10: Research Methods; Week 11 Research Methods Week 12 Thinking about your Findings , Dissertation Research in Practice.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

20

Autonomous Student Learning

110

Total

130

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small-group module. It is taught through a two-hour weekly seminar. Each seminar provides an overview of the week’s topic, focusing upon the key theoretical ideas or element of the research process which is to be discussed. The application of this theoretical idea to archival practice in the form of an appraisal strategy or research project is then explored using a series of case studies. These case studies are introduced to students by individual active / task-based learning by means of class debates, discussion and student presentation. Advanced research, writing and citation skills are developed through a presentation, a written essay, and a comparison of two research projects. Autonomous learning is advanced through student-led debate and discussion of set secondary reading and / or student presentations each week. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Archival Science (HIS40340)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Dissertation related assignment Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

Assignment: Essay on appraisal theory and practice. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

50


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, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

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