GREENSHEET
I. Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of managing
archives and
manuscript collections. Both personal papers and institutional records
(public and private)
will be covered, as will a variety of record formats such as photographic
materials and
electronic records. Topics addressed will include collection acquisition
and appraisal,
arrangement and description, reference and public access, oral history,
and preservation, as
well as ethical, social, and political issues impacting archival work.
The class includes both
theoretical and practical components and will consist of lectures, readings,
discussions, and
hands-on experience processing a modest records collection.
II. Course and School Objectives
This course meets the School’s objective to prepare students to
function effectively as
information professionals by training them in the principles of archival
management. Over
the course of the semester, the class will address the following key questions:
1. What are archives and manuscripts and why are they important?
2. How are archival records identified and acquired, arranged and described,
reserved, and made available for public use?
3. What are the significant professional, ethical, and legal issues facing
archivists today?
4. How have new technologies impacted archives and archival collections?
III. Required Readings
As assigned in Syllabus and distributed in class.
IV. Recommended Texts (Available through SAA)
Frederic M. Miller. Arranging and Describing Archives and
Manuscripts. (Society Of American Archivists, 1992)
F. Gerald Ham. Selecting and Appraising Archives and Manuscripts
(Society
Of American Archivists, 1992)
Mary Jo Pugh. Providing Reference Services for Archives and Manuscripts
(Society of American Archivists, 1992)
V. Course Requirements
Analytical Summaries: Students will write 2 two-page
essays summarizing and evaluating
two articles on archival topics that are of intense debate in the archival
profession.
Mid-Term Paper: Review & Analysis (5 pages) of National
Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC), National Inventory of
Documentary Sources (NIDS), and NHPRC Directory of Archives and Manuscript
Repositories in the United States (1988), RLIN, and the OAC.
Processing Practicum: Students will spend the final
weekend processing a collection of
archival records. The purpose of this practicum is to give students experience
applying
archival theory and method to the processing of a real collection of documents.
At the
conclusion of the practicum, students will be expected to submit a finding
aid
describing the materials in their appointed collections and a MARC collection-level
worksheet. Detailed instructions for this assignment will be provided.
VI. Grading
Class Participation: 5 Points
2 Two-Page Summary & Analysis: 15 Points
Five-Page Mid-Term Paper: 25 Points
Processing Plan: 15 Points
Processing Project: 40 Points
Final grades will be based on the following grading scale established
for graduate students
by San Jose State University:
100 – 97 = A
96 – 94 = A-
93 – 91 = B+
90 – 88 = B
87 – 85 = B-
84 – 82 = C+
81 – 79 = C
78 – 76 = C-
75 – 73 = D+
VII. Office Hours
You may contact Professor de Lorenzo by email during the semester or
schedule an appointment prior to or following any class, or by email.
VIII. Contact Information
Email: ddeloren@library.berkeley.edu
Telephone/Voicemail: 510-643-3203
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