Catalog Course Description
Provides an introduction to the theory and practice of archives, including an overview relating to the elements of an archival program and the role and work of archivists.  Focuses on the functions of the archives, such as acquisition, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation, reference, outreach, and technology in archives.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
No specific prerequisites

Curriculum Role
Serves as both the initial course for the archives concentration and as an elective for students with a variety of interests.  Students should take this course early in their program if they are interested in taking additional archives courses.

Course Rationale
This course provides an opportunity for students to explore the field of archives and determine its relevance to the rest of their program.  It serves as a gateway to an archival concentration as well as a relevant complement to many other areas of the IST curriculum.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
•Describe the nature of archives and the role of the archivist within the context of information professionals
•Explain the functions of archival work and their application in different settings
•Interpret the principles of selecting, arranging, describing, and preserving archival materials
•Recognize the range of archival user groups and approaches to access in archival holdings
•Identify the ways in which technology is affecting archives and the work of archivists

Course Content
Principal topics and the approximate number of weeks devoted to each are:
Introduction to archival concepts (1)
Archival programs and the archives profession (1)
Acquisition of archival materials (1)
Introduction to appraisal (1)
Principles of arrangement and description (1)
Preservation (1)
Reference (1)
Technology in archives (1)
Managing archival programs (1)
Outreach (1)

Presentation
Note: This section presents the most common approach to presenting this course, but the actual approach may vary somewhat from section to section.
A combination of lecture and discussion.

Evaluation
Note: This section presents the most common approach to evaluation for this course, but the actual approach may vary somewhat from section to section.
Assignments will include a report on an archival institution, a literature review, a final exam, and weekly discussion questions.  Evaluation will be based on these assignments and class participation.