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ILS 597

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHIVAL AND MUSEUM WORK


COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to work in archives and museums including basic theories and methodologies and to the application of archival and museum theory in the digital world.


COURSE OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course students will to able to:

  • Define the mission of archives and of museums
  • Describe the principles and standard of archives and of museums
  • Describe the difference between libraries and archives and museums
  • Describe the process of selection and appraisal in archives and museums
  • Describe the process of acquisitions and accessioning in archives and museums
  • Describe the basic principles of arrangement and description in archives and museums
  • Describe how practices of librarianship apply to and differ from those of archivists and curators


COURSE OUTLINE

I.         Introduction to archives and manuscripts

II.        Conducting a survey and starting an archival program

III.       Selection and appraisal in archives

IV.        Acquisitions and accessioning in archives

V.         Arrangement in archives

VI.       Description in archives

VII.      Preservation in archives

VIII.     Security and disaster planning

IX.       Access, reference, and outreach

X.        Digital records

XI.       Management in archives

XII.      The museum world: its works

XIII.     Principles and standard of museums

XIV.      Theory and practice of museum professional and volunteer positions

XV.       Global perspectives of museums 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Each student will visit at least one museum and at least one archive, taking detailed notes of the physical museum/archive itself, observation of visitors, services available; interview with the curator or staff to include discussion of museum/archival work and professional preparation compared to work and professional preparation of librarians; if possible, a shadowing experience with a professional staff member and perhaps a hands-on work activity should be included.
  • Write analytical papers on museums/archives that demonstrates, using the museum/archive visited, an understanding of: the mission of museums/archives; the principles and standard of museums/archives; the process of selection and appraisal in museums/archives; the process of acquisitions and accessioning in museums/archives; and the basic principles of arrangement and description in museums/archives.
  • Write exploratory papers on an aspect of archival or museum work, demonstrating an understanding of differences and similarities with equivalent aspects/practices of libraries/librarianship.


SUGGESTED TEXTS / TEXTS USED IN THE PAST

Hunter, Gregory S. (2003). Developing and maintaining practical archives: A how-to-do-it manual (2nd ed.). Neal-Schuman. IBSN-13 978-1555704674 (paperback)

Glaser, Jane R., & Zenetou, Artemis A. (1996). Museums: A place to work: Planning museum careers. Routledge. ISBN-13 978-0415127240 (paperback) 

 

Approved by the ILS Department Curriculum Committee and Faculty, Spring 2009.