AIS 330: Management and Use of Archival InformationWinter Semester 2011

Credits: 4 creditsInstructor: Marcus C. Robyns, CAEmail Address: mrobyns@nmu.eduVirtual Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10-12 a.m.Office Phone: 906-227-1046Beginning Date: Monday, January 10, 2011Number of Weeks: 16Meeting Times / Location: This course meets online.

Course Description

Effective management and use of archival information by students in the social sciences requires an understanding of the purposes, functions, and activities that lead to the creation and maintenance of recorded information. This course will review the nature of information, records, historical documentation, archival administration and practice, and the role of archives in modern society. Students will learn and apply in practical exercises the skills necessary to understand and implement archival functions and research methods.

This course is a core requirement for the Department of History’s Public History minor.

Course Textbook

You will find the readings for this course online. I will assign a set of readings for each unit that will be comprised of online journal articles or informational web sites.

As a general text for the course, we will use The Archivist’s Toolkit published online by the Archives Association of British Columbia.

Course objectives

At the end of this course, students will

1) define basic archival concepts and methodologies;

2) apply in a professional setting the following basic archival methodologies.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Arrangement (Processing)

Description

Reference

Public Outreach Programming

Instructor Expectations

I have designed this course to be interactive with an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. Students will receive instruction and insight from other information professionals, apply theory in practical exercises, and critically analyze professional literature. I expect students to behave in a professional manner and participate in vigorous class discussion.

Student Expectations

1) Assignments : You must submit all written assignments as a MS Word document, double spaced, and in 12 point font. You must submit all assignments on time. EduCat will not allow you to submit assignments after the due date and time. If you are unable to complete an assignment on time for a legitimate reason beyond your control, please contact the Dean of Students office with appropriate evidence and request that the office contact me to verify your situation.

2) Class Etiquette : You will have the opportunity to interact with me and your fellow classmates through discussion postings. Communicate with respect. Read and understand a fellow student’s posted observation or opinion before you respond. If you do not understand another posting, ask respectful, clarifying questions.

3) Grammar : I expect you to complete all written work in a professional prose and with correct grammar. I expect you not to use slang or write in a colloquial manner. For assistance with your writing, please visit the Writing Center at http://webb.nmu.edu/Centers/WritingCenter

4) Plagiarism : Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s words or ideas without appropriate attribution. If you are caught plagiarizing another person’s work, you will fail the course. For more information, please consult the Student Code of Conduct.

Non-discrimination Statement

Northern Michigan University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, handicap or disability, sexual orientation or veteran status in employment or the provision of services, and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities. Persons having Civil Rights inquiries may contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 906-227-2420.  Students having inquiries

regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 906-227-1737.

ADA Statement

If you have a need for disability related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Office of the Dean of Student (906-227-1700). Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and University guidelines.

Evaluation

Practical Exercise / Discussion Reports 40

Mid-Term Exam 20

Final Exam 40

Total 100

A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 0-59

General Guidelines for Evaluation of Written Work

Superior Work

Structure:  Your essay has a clearly stated thesis and is understandable and appropriate. You use strong transitions between paragraphs and from point to point.  Your paragraphs begin with a strong topical sentence. Your sentences are well structured and pithy. Use of evidence:  Your argument (thesis) is well supported by credible evidence. Analysis:  You clearly relate evidence to the main argument and your topical sentences. Your analysis is fresh and exciting, posing new ways to think of the material.

 Good Work

Structure:  Your essay is generally clear and well-structured with an appropriate thesis statement. However, your discussion may wander occasionally.  Use of evidence: Some evidence does not support your main argument or is not credible. Analysis:  You relate evidence to your main argument and topical sentences but not always clearly.

 Borderline Work

Structure:  Your essay is generally unclear and often wanders or jumps around. You use few or weak transitions between paragraphs and topical sentences are often unclear.

Use of evidence:  You use some credible evidence to support your main argument and topical sentences.  Analysis:  Your evidence does not appear to relate to your main argument or topical sentences. Poor or Failing Work

Structure:  Your essay is unclear, poorly structured, and with a weak or non-existant thesis. Transitions between paragraphs are confusing and unclear, and your paragraphs lack topical sentences. Use of evidence:  The evidence you use to support your main argument is not credible or non-existant.  Analysis:  You make very little or very weak attempts to relate evidence to your main argument

Class Schedule:

Unit 1 (Monday, January 10 through Friday, January 21)

Introduction to Archival Management and the History of the Archival Profession

Unit 2 (Monday, January 24 through Friday, February 11)

Collection Development Strategies, Collection Development Policies, Archival Acquisition, Archival Appraisal, and Records Management

Unit 3 (Monday, February 14 through Friday, March 18)

Accession Management, Basic Concepts and Principles of Archival Arrangement, Archival Arrangement as Processing

Unit 4 (Monday, March 21 through Friday, April 8)

Basic Concepts and Principles of Archival Description, Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Archives 2.0, MARC:AMC, Encoded Archival Description (EAD), The Archivist Toolkit (a database management tool)

Unit 5 (Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15)

Reading Room Management, Reference Services, Publicity and Outreach

Unit 6 (Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22)

Special Problems in Archival Management, Electronic Records Management, Institutional Repositories