To develop practical skills in reading the types of documents found in archival repositories; with guidance on context and content to enable the student to assist users of their service.

(LO1) Be familiar with the forms of documents used in all aspects of law, administration, registration, poor relief and communication which have been explored in the nine units of the module

(LO2) Be able to read most documents written in English from about 1570 to the present day.

(LO3) Pick out the basics of the major types of douments written in Latin in the UK during the same period.

(LO4) Be able to date a document which is either undated, or dated by a different method from that which we use today.

(LO5) Use skills to help other people who are embarking on the use of documentary sources to investigate their family, their house, their village, the history of crime or poverty or any other subject of research.

(S1) Communication and collaboration online participating in digital networks for learning and research

(S2) Learning skills online studying and learning effectively in technology-rich environments, formal and informal

(S3) Lifelong learning skills

Topics covered during the module may include:

The development of handwriting;

Frequently used types of documents, their context, content and structure;

Locating significant information;

Practical techniques for reading handwriting;

Assisting the user in reading and understanding documents;

Examples of documents on which to practise transcription.

Online Discussions:
Learning blog.
Notes: Online learning blog in Canvas designed to encourage interaction with other students.

Online Quiz:
Xerte based online test your learning quizzes.
Notes: Online test your learning quizzes designed to test whether learning outcomes have been achieved.

Practical:
Palaeography practice.
Notes: Sample documents and transcriptions provided for practice.

Self-Directed Learning: Students are given access to online learning materials which include reading, quizzes, blog and suggested activities which are carried out according to the student's requirements.