Archives and Manuscripts
INFO 256

Erin Lawrimore
E-mail
Office Hours: Contact via e-mail or Canvas; telephone or Zoom appointments can be scheduled

This course will take place completely online via Canvas.

An introduction to the theory and practice of managing archival documents, such as personal papers, institutional records, photographs, electronic records, and other unpublished material. Topics covered include manuscript and records acquisition and appraisal, arrangement and description, conservation and preservation, and reference and access.

In addition to basic theory and practice, students will be introduced to the variety of types of archival institutions, both in the United States and abroad.

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities. It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class and debate in a mature and respectful manner. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited. Disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position. In accordance with San José State University's Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Course Workload

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group; contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes) Supported

INFO 256 supports the following core competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic archival principles and practices.
2. Describe the variety of functions performed by archives and archivists, and the range of environments in which archival professionals work.
3. Identify the issues involved in acquiring, processing, and making records available to researchers.
4. Identify the similarities and differences between the roles of archivists and related information professionals.
5. Define the challenges facing the archives profession today and in the future.

Textbooks

No Textbooks For This Course.

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

• C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
• B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA);
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Per University Policy S16-9 (PDF), relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on the Syllabus Information web page. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these university policies and resources.

Course Calendar, including Assignment Due Dates

• Course introduction (January 25-29)
• Module 1: Introduction to Archives, Archival Theory, and the Archival Profession (January 30-February 12)
  • February 12: Module #1 assignment due; participation due
• Module 2: Archival Appraisal and Acquisitions (February 13-26)
  • February 26: Module #2 assignment due; participation due
• Module 3: Archival Arrangement and Description (February 27-March 12)
  • March 12: Module #3 assignment due; participation due
• Module 4: Archival Use and Users (March 13-26)
  • March 26: Module #4 assignment due; participation due; deadline for Archives in the News Part 1
• [Spring Break is March 27-31]
• Module 5: Archival Outreach and Engagement (April 3-16)
  • April 16: Module #5 assignment due; participation due
• Module 6: Archival Management and Ethics (April 17-30)
  • April 30: Module #6 assignment due; participation due
• Module 7: The Future of Archives and the Archival Profession (May 1-14)
  • May 14: Module #7 assignment due; participation due; deadline for Archives in the News Part 2; deadline for optional Extra Credit

 Assignments