To develop a critical awareness of record-keeping theory and its application in practice in records management and archival environments;

To convey knowledge about relevant record-keeping standards and their practical application within different organisational contexts;

To develop an understanding of the relationship between record-keeping and other professions and disciplines.

(LO1) Improved cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis, including the ability to identify and use evidence, concepts and theories to develop a well-structured argument

(LO2) An awareness of texts, authors and debates relevant to the module and an ability to assess the associated ideas, arguments and contribution in relation to theory and practice

(LO3) An improved ability to interrogate the relationship between theory and practice, including the ability to apply subject knowledge, skills and understanding critically and effectively to real-world situations

(LO4) An improved ability to describe, contextualise and offer explanations for the complexity and diversity of events, practices and mentalities in areas relevant to the module

(LO5) Deeper appreciation of the value of records and their management to support legal, financial, political and cultural functions in personal, organisational, community and/or societal contexts relevant to the scope of the module

(LO6) Knowledge and critical understanding of relevant standards and best practice for the identification, classification, cataloguing and/or indexing of records (current and/or archival) and an ability to deploy them appropriately in different contexts and for different user groups

(LO7) Improved personal skills, including time management, planning and organisational skills, formulating relevant questions, problem-solving and decision-making

(LO8) Awareness of the role of technology in relation to the topics covered by the module and an ability to use technology in ways appropriate to the scope of the module

(S1) Information skills - Record-keeping

(S2) Improving own learning/performance - Reflective practice

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Influencing skills – argumentation

(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Report writing

(S5) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S6) Time and project management - Project management

(S7) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S8) Information skills - Critical reading

(S9) Information skills - Information accessing:[Locating relevant information] [Identifying and evaluating information sources]

Topics covered during the module may include:

History and development of archives;

History and development of Anglo-phone record-keeping theory;

What is a record (inc. E-records);

What are archives?

Models of record-keeping;

Fonds, provenance and original order;

Record values and appraisal (1);

Appraisal (2);

Cataloguing process;

ISAD(G) and MAD(3);

Users in the e-environment - what makes systems work;

Search behaviour and locating sources;

EAD, EAC and description on the web;

EAD Practical exercise;

Authority records;

Thesauri and subject indexing;

Archives beyond the discipline;

The professional and the user;

Community archives;

Theory and practice.

Seminar:
The module will be taught though seminars, supported by private study and group work

Field Work:
A two week placement at an archive repository is included for the student to develop cataloguing skills and test their understanding of archival description.

Teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus and online for students unable to travel to Liverpool.