LIBR 256-01
Archives and Manuscripts
Summer 2006 Greensheet
Lori Lindberg
E-mail
Phone: 408-924-2490
| Course Links Greensheet Course Outline Required Readings |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Students will be able to self-enroll in the Blackboard course site between June 1-10. You will need an access code which will be sent to all registered students on June 1, 2006 via MySJSU.
Course Meetings
All class meetings are 10:00 to 4:00. The schedule meeting dates are: Classes 1-5: July 10-14 Classes 6-8: July 17-19
Course Schedule and Readings
Full citations for each reading are provided via a reading list linked to this Greensheet so students can pursue the readings on their own at the library of their choice, if desired. Some readings are provided online and URLs are provided in the reading list. Students do have the option of acquiring CD-ROMs of the readings by contacting me directly. The cost will be $3.00, which includes pos tage. This option will save you significant time and money. Please contact me no later than June 16 if you wish to pursue this option in order that I have time to copy the CD-ROMs and post them to you.
Acknowledgement
This course owes much of its content to the extraordinary vision and intellect of Philip Bantin, Indiana University archivist, recordkeeping scholar and educator, and SAA Fellow. I am grateful for his work, which has provided me an excellent model for an introductory course in this specialization.
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 in-class 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
Primary Requirements
Course requirements include:
- adequate preparation to discuss the required reading assignments and fully participate in class discussions and group exercises;
- composition of two short papers (5-6 pp.) in response to questions posed by the instructor, due at Classes 3 (Jul. 12) and 6 (Jul. 17) respectively; see your Blackboard Course Documents for these questions.
- completion of a comprehensive exam at the end of Class 6, covering all material introduced through Class 5.
Weighting
Your course grade will be weighted through the following assignments:
| Class participation | 25% (includes general discussion, group exercises, and the practicum) |
| Short papers (2) | 45% (22.5% each) |
| Exam | 30% |
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 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 critical. 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.
Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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