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ARCV41510

Academic Year 2024/2025

Archives Preservation (ARCV41510)

Subject:
Archivistics
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Julie Brooks
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Using international standards and best practice, the module considers the preservation of archives and special collections, in both analogue and digital forms. It introduces students to the nature and characteristics of different formats, as well as the immediate and longer-term threats to their ongoing preservation and access. Being able to identify risks to collections and assess organisational preservation capabilities, in order to prioritise, plan for and manage preservation activities, are emphasised as key aspects of professional work. The module will provide students with an overview of the practical approaches that can be taken to mitigate preservation risks as well the importance of operating under the guiding framework of a preservation policy.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students to be able:
-Understand the importance of a preventive approach to preservation and articulate the difference between preventive and remedial preservation activities
-Be familiar with the physical components and configuration of traditional analogue materials, and their resultant preservation vulnerabilities and requirements
-Identify the wide range of activities that comprise a preservation programme
-Develop understanding of the main issues and challenges in the preservation of digital archives
-Develop awareness of the core aspects of approaches to digital preservation and the key skills and tools to commence digital preservation activities.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following broad areas: Week 1 introduction to preservation and preservation principles; Week 2 Understanding traditional archive & historic library materials and the threats they face; Week 3 Preservation in practice: archive and library buildings, storage and environments; Week 4 Preservation in practice: storage and other aspects of collection care; Week 5 Preservation planning; Week 6 Emergency planning, prevention and recovery for traditional archive & library materials; Week 7 Site visit; Weeks 8 & 9 - reading period; Week 10 Preserving digital collections: introduction and issues; Weeks 11 & 12 Preserving digital materials: approaches and tools; Week 13 Digital repository options and preservation software; Week 14 - Preservation software workshop and guest speaker

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

76

Lectures

22

Field Trip/External Visits

2

Total

100


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. Student learning is further supported by a practitioner guest lecture or site visit. Autonomous learning includes the reading of relevant international preservation standards and guidelines available on Brightspace in advance of the relevant class.
While there will be discussion in this module of the extent to which generative AI is being used by archivists to assist in the preservation of records, generative AI may not be used in assessments for the module. If you have any concerns about what is included in the remit of generative AI, please consult with your Module Coordinator.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ARCV41480 - Archives preservation


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Preserving traditional and analogue materials: comparison of preservation policies and plans in context of best practice standards Week 7 Graded No
50
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Experience practical first steps in preserving digital material by drawing up a digital asset register, writing a statement about digital preservation risks and profiling digital files using DROID. Week 14 Graded No
50
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer 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?

Feedback on all assessments will be provided to each student via Brightspace. Individual feedback on all assignments will be provided by one-to-one meetings on Zoom or via email if requested by students