ARCV41340 Archival Representation - Arranging and Describing Archives

Academic Year 2022/2023

One of the key tasks of the archivist is to create a series of finding aids to allow for the professional management of archives and for their discovery by users. This module introduces students to the theory and practice of archival representation, the way in which the archivist establishes physical and intellectual control over collections. It provides a practical introduction to the method for describing and arranging textual archives in line with current Irish and international standards, in particular the International Standard for Archival Description (General) and Encoded Archival Description. The module explores the applicability of ISAD(G) / EAD to the representation of born digital archives. It examines the description and arrangement of non-textual material such as photographs, maps, sound recordings and film. In doing this the module situates the key standards for archival description in the context of the broader metadata environment and introduces a range of other relevant descriptive standards. The module explores ways of maximizing the discovery of archives, particularly focusing on the role of indexing and the creation of archival authority records in line with the International Standard for Archival Authority Records. It introduces the software options available for cataloguing archival collections, covering proprietary and open source systems such as CALM and ICA Atom. The module explores the theory of archival representation, introducing the key concepts of provenance and original order and examining the extent to which the archivist mediates between the user and the record. It explores ideas about the revisiting of collections, the ethical issues raised by description and the significance of approaches like More Product Less Process to address practical issues of backlog and time management.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Create item, series and fonds level descriptions in line with current international standards;
Describe and arrange a collection of archival material in both textual and non-textual formats;
Create authority records in line with current international standards;
Demonstrate familiarity with archival cataloguing software ;
Appreciate the significance of archival theory to the practice of representation.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas; Week 1; Introduction to Archival Representation; Week 2 Thinking about Standards; Week 3 Planning a Descriptive Project - practical considerations; Week 4 and 5: Arrangement, Coding and Numbering; Week 6 Indexing and Creating Authority Records; Week 7: Reading Week; Week 8: Getting Archives Online; Week 9: Introduction to Open Source Software; Week 10: Introduction to Commercial Software; Week 11 Describing and Arranging visual and oral material; Week 12 Macro level considerations - alternative approaches to description and arrangement.

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

20
Specified Learning Activities

90
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

210
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 different aspects of archival representation, e.g. the role of standards, approaches to arrangement, the significance of indexing etc. There is a focus upon individual active / task-based learning by means of class discussion, group work and in class exercises. Advanced skills in all aspects of archival representation are developed through practical listing projects. Autonomous learning is advanced through ongoing practical work. The student's own experience of practical work is reinforced by guest lectures from practitioners. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Collection management 1 (HIS41340)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Descriptive Assignment 3: Representing Born Digital Archives Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Assignment: Descriptive Assignment 2: Exploring Archival Software Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Assignment: Descriptive Assignment 1: Listing Project Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

60

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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback on all assignments will be given to students in Brightspace. Class feedback will be given where this is possible. Feedback will be given to students orally on their provisional arrangement for their descriptive projects prior to summative assessment. Individual oral feedback on all assignments will be provided by one-to-one meetings if requested by students.