Archive Management: Principles and Practice module (RM51001)

This module focuses on the archival rather than the broader recordkeeping world. 

You will be looking at theoretical issues but very much in the context of practice. You will examine core archival principles and techniques such as: 

• collection development 
• acquisition 
• appraisal 
• arrangement 
• description 

It is important that you are working or regularly volunteering in an archive. If you are a records management student, it's important to have access to one. 

You will be drawing on this experience throughout the course. This will allow you to relate what you read to what you have seen in practice and to apply what you learn to your working environment. 

You will also work through a task relating to one collection to which you have access. You will apply theory to understanding how this collection has been and will be processed. 

What will you learn 

In this module you will: 

• build on practical knowledge and experience as a context. This will confirm the theoretical foundation on which archival theory is based 
• understand the basis on which records are acquired by archives. You will also learn about the areas of conflict and change affecting this in both theory and practice. There will be particular reference to digital archives and community engagement 
• develop an in-depth understanding of appraisal and selection principles and procedures 
• obtain a thorough knowledge of the principles of provenance and original order 
• learn the principles of archive descriptive standards. You will learn the ability to apply these in practice from accession onwards 
• develop the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of different methods of providing access to archives 

By the end of the module, you will be able to: 

• explain the key concepts of archival theory and development 
• appreciate the challenges and issues associated with accessioning and arrangement 
• have the knowledge to investigate and critically evaluate options for the development of finding aids. This will apply to both electronic and traditional methods. You will then be able to apply these in practice 
• be able to formulate policies and procedures required in the management of a modern archive 

Assignments / assessment 

Coursework (100%) consisting of:  

• final assignment 1 (30%) 
• final assignment 2 (30%) 
• assessed tasks (30%) 
• discussion board participation (10%) 

This module does not have a final exam

Teaching methods

• independent study 
• contact through discussion forum, email and video conferencing or other modes of contact