GREENSHEET
Course Meetings
South:
Classes 1-4: 9:00 - 4:30, Tuesday - Friday, July 13 - 16.
Classes 5-9: 10:00 - 4:00, Monday - Friday, July 19 - 23.
North:
Classes 1-5: 10:00 - 4:00, Monday-Friday, July 26 - 30.
Classes 6-10: 10:00 - 4:00, Monday-Friday, August 9-13.
Please consult the Course Listing on the SLIS website for meeting
location.
Course Description
This course is designed as an introduction to the basic theories, methodologies,
significant challenges and opportunities relating to the management of
records, particularly archival records, the practical administration of
archives, and the institutions, programs, and associations that support
this work. This course will provide a basic understanding of archives
and archival work which will enable students to better understand the
role of archives in the world of information management and enable them
to perceive differences and similarities between archivists, manuscript
curators, rare book librarians, librarians, and other information professionals.
A short practicum at the end of the course will introduce students to
some of the tools and materials used by archivists via a small collection
of records and the hands-on steps involved in processing them.
The course will address the following key questions:
• What are archives and why are they important?
• What principles and concepts guide the work of archivists?
• What are the basic components of an archival program?
• How are archival records appraised, arranged and described,
and made available for use?
• What are the basic elements of a records management program
and how does that impact archives?
• What has been the impact of new information technologies on
archival theory and practice?
• What is the future of the archival profession?
Course Objectives
This course will:
• introduce students to the basic theoretical principles and
methodologies and the various practices involved in administering archives
and records management programs.
• provide a basic understanding of archival work so that students
can make an informed decision about pursuing a professional career in
archives.
• provide a basic understanding of the importance of records in
the information age and of records management as an important tool and
function in an archival program.
• provide a basic understanding of how new information technologies
are transforming archival theory and practice and how archivists are
attempting to meet this challenge.
• introduce students to the classic writings in the archives and
records management professions.
• encourage students to begin thinking critically about strategies
for managing the archival record in the modern information age.
• prepare students for internships in an archival repository and
prepare them for more advanced classes or workshops in archival administration
or records management.
This course satisfies the following objectives of the San Jose State
University School of Library and Information Science:
• Teaching students the major theories, important principles,
and current practice in information management, including the selection,
organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information
resources;
• Teaching students the major theories, important principles,
and current practice in one or more specialized aspects of information
management.
Course Requirements and Grading
Course requirements include:
- adequate preparation to discuss the required reading assignments and
fully participate in class discussions and group exercises;
- preparation of two short papers (6-7 pages) in response to questions
posed by the instructor, due at Classes 4 and 9 in the South, 5 and 10 in
the North;
- preparation of a major paper (15-20 pages) reviewing and evaluating
the existing literature on an archival or records management issue. A list
of critical questions to aid you in topic development will be given to you
via Blackboard. This paper is due at the beginning of class 7 in the
South, Class 8 in the North. The topic is due by June 25. You may email
me with your topic idea and should have a pretty good concept after doing
the initial readings. I will provide an additional bibliography of
readings which some of you may be interested in utilizing. I will also
post this to Blackboard.
Weighting:
Class participation - 25% (includes general discussion, group exercises,
and the practicum)
Short papers (2) - 45% (22.5% each)
Major paper - 30%
This course follows the recommended University grading scale for Graduate
Students.
| University Recommended Grading Scale for
Graduate Students
97-100 = A
94-96 = A-
91-93 = B+
88-90 = B
85-87 = B-
82-84 = C+
79-81 = C
76-78 = C-
73-75 = D+ |
Attendance and discussion:
Because the course meetings are of significant length and importance,
course attendance is mandatory. Failure to attend all class meetings will
significantly impact the course grade. Students are expected to actively
participate in class discussions, group exercises, and the practicum.
In keeping with standard School of Library and Information Science policy,
incompletes will be issued only for exceptional and compelling circumstances.
Deadlines and due dates:
All assignments are to be submitted complete on the due dates as specified.
Students submitting assignments late will be penalized one letter grade
in the assessment of the final grade for the assignment. If a student
cannot submit an assignment by the due date, it is his/her responsibility
to discuss the situation with the instructor prior to the due date.
Quality of work:
This is a Graduate course. Therefore, students are expected to produce
mature written work of a scholarly level that conforms to a particular
style manual and presents a well-supported thesis, free of spelling and
major grammatical errors. More information on paper expectations and requirements
will be provided at the first class meeting.
Ethics:
San Jose State University and School of Library and Information Science
policies on academic dishonesty will be enforced strictly. Students who
engage in plagiarism, cheating, or other types of dishonesty will receive
an F for the course. Plagiarism and how to avoid it will be discussed
during the general paper discussion at the first class meeting.
Course Schedule and Readings:
All required readings will be provided via .pdf files located in your
Course Documents on Blackboard. All readings are in folders by Class.
Students must download the readings and may print them out as they see
fit. Full citations for each reading will be provided on the Reading List
so students can pursue the readings on their own at the library of their
choice, if desired. Some readings are provided online and URLs will be
provided in the Reading List. The Reading List is also in the Course
Documents on Blackboard.
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