LIBR 256-10
Archives and Manuscripts
Summer 2006 Greensheet
Jennifer L. Martinez
E-mail
Office Hours: Before and after each class meeting or by appointment
| Course Links Greensheet Schedule |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Textbooks and Readings | Course Requirements
Students must self-enroll in this course via Blackboard before Monday, June 5 (the first day of class). Enrollment opens Thursday, June 1 when the instructor will send an access code via the MySJSU system.
Course Description
This class will provide an introduction to the theory and practice of managing manuscript and archival collections, including personal papers, institutional records, photographs, electronic records, and other unpublished materials. Topics covered include manuscript and records acquisition, appraisal, arrangement, description, reference, management and preservation.
Prerequisites: LIBR 200, 202, 204
Course Goals and Objectives
As part of its stated goals and objectives, “SLIS supports an environment and curriculum that prepares students to function effectively in libraries, information centers, schools, and other relevant institutions.” This course strives to teach the principles, theories and current practices of managing and understanding archival and manuscript material so that by the end of the semester students should have an understanding of the following:
- The foundations of archival theory;
- Fundamental archival skills and methods in the management of archival and manuscript material;
- The application of diverse technologies to the management of archival and manuscript material to further intellectual control and access;
- Preservation standards and techniques;
- Advocacy and leadership in the archival profession and its future
Textbooks and Readings
The three books listed below form the core of the class readings and will serve as standard references on your professional bookshelf for many years to come. Used copies online tend to be scarce; the most efficient way of procuring them is to order through the Publications Catalog of the Society of American Archivists (www.archivists.org). Alternatively, A Modern Archives Reader may also be purchased directly through the National Archives and Records Administration (www.nara.gov/publications).
- Daniels, Maygene F. and Timothy Walch. A Modern Archives Reader: Basic Readings on
Archival Theory and Practice. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records
Service, U.S. General Services Administration, 1984. - Jimerson, Randall C. American Archival Studies. Chicago: Society of American
Archivists, 2000. - Kurtz, Michael. Managing Archival and Manuscript Repositories (Archival Fundamentals
Series II). Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004.
Because many articles and/or chapters of A Modern Archives Reader and American Archival Studies were first printed in various professional journals such as American Archivist, I have also listed the original publication information when relevant.
Other Reading materials
Additional readings include selected Web sites and articles described in the course calendar below.
Course Requirements
Class Hours and Locations
Saturdays: 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22
Hours: 9:00am-2:00pm
Location: on campus in Fullerton
Attendance
Because our class meets only a few times during the semester, attendance and participation in discussions and in-class projects is vital to successful completion of this course.
Included in the course is a site visit: one class meeting, Saturday, July 1st, will be held at the National Archives and Records Administration in Laguna Niguel, from 9am-2pm. Driving directions to the facility may be found at http://www.archives.gov/pacific/laguna/index.html. Carpooling options will be discussed in class the week before for interested parties.
Cell Phones
Students will turn their cell phones off or put them on vibrate mode while in class. They will not answer their phones in class. Students whose phones disrupt the course and do not stop when requested by the instructor will be referred to the Judicial Affairs Officer of the University.
Readings
Readings are to be read BEFORE the class meeting to which they are assigned in anticipation of furthering class discussion and to aid you in the successful completion of your assignments. Yes, there are readings assigned for the first class meeting; this green sheet will be posted on the SLIS Web site over a month before classes begin and should allow students registered for this class ample time to secure the reading material and begin working through it. Do not be deterred by what at first glance may appear to be an extensive reading list, as closer examination of the average page count for each week indicates study appropriate to graduate-level coursework. Although I would hope that many of you keep this list of readings as a ready-reference bibliography to consult in the course of your professional careers, odds are that in the future you will not have the opportunity to read these materials with the same dedication of time and energy as you have today. Absorb and enjoy them, as best you can.
Assignments
The assignments for this course are:
- Projects
There will be six small writing assignments and/or projects assigned during this course which will often serve as discussion points in class and will also provide students with hands-on and administrative components of various aspects of archival work. They will be assigned at the end of each class meeting and will be due at the beginning of the following week’s class. The first project will be assigned on 6/3 and due on 6/10, and there will be an assignment every week until the sixth and final one is due on 7/15.
Examples of these small writing assignments and/or projects may include: creating a budget for a start-up archival program, evaluating web sites, creating a finding aid, evaluating current job postings for archival positions, or comparing the preservation requirements of different media.
Further details regarding these projects will be outlined on the first day of class (6/3). - Final Paper
Each student will be expected to write a critical paper of 15-20 pages on an aspect of archival theory, practices, history, or principles. Students will be expected to identify their research topic no later than our fourth class meeting on Saturday, June 24th. Research subjects may be related to or derived from topics discussed as part of the course, but the paper should provide a more in-depth analysis of the issue or topic at hand and make use of additional readings beyond those assigned as part of the class. Papers will be graded on the thoroughness of the student’s research, clarity of analysis and writing, an indicated mastery of the subject matter, and professional presentation (proper citations, notes, grammar, etc.).
Final papers will be accepted no later than the beginning of our final class meeting on Saturday, July 22nd, in printed form.
Grading
The assignments will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Writing assignments and projects | 60% |
| Final Paper (Due by 9am on Saturday, 7/22) |
40% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale will be utilized for this course:
| 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+ |
Late Work
Late work will be penalized by 10% for every day which passes after the stated deadline. After three days (36 hours after the stated deadline passes), no credit will be given for the assignment.
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/
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