ARST 555 (3) The Preservation of Digital Records

Previously ARST 575A (3) The Continuing Preservation of Electronic Records

PREREQUISITES:

MAS and Dual students take this as part of the MAS Core.

Core courses in the MAS program can only be taken by students registered in the MAS program.

GOAL: The goal of this course is to give students an opportunity to build on basic knowledge acquired in the first year courses by exploring in depth issues concerning the management and preservation of digital records by the creating organization/individual and its legitimate successor, such as an archival program or institution.

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  • demonstrate an in-depth appreciation of the challenges presented to both records creators and records preservers by the adoption of digital technology for records creation, maintenance and preservation [1.4, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3]
  • address such challenges through proper planning and strategizing [2.2, 3.1, 3.2]
  • select, among a variety of recommended and/or implemented methods for ensuring the preservation of digital records, the most appropriate for a specific institution or body of records [1.1, 1.2, 1.3]
  • demonstrate familiarity with recent and current research on the preservation of digital records as well as the entire body of relevant literature [1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2]
  • approach new and unforeseen digital records issues from a solid knowledge of concepts and principles [1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3]*

* Course objectives are stated in terms of student learning outcomes and reference the iSchool Statement on Graduate Competencies.

CONTENT:

  • concepts and principles involved in the creation, management and preservation of digital records
  • existing policies, standards, practices and systems for the creation, management and preservation of digital records
  • the creation, management and preservation of digital records by individuals, communities of practice, small businesses and unstructured organizations (e.g. universities)
  • management frameworks for digital records by structured records creating organizations
  • management frameworks for the preservation of digital records by archival units/organizations/institutions
  • theory and methods for the management and preservation of digital records developed by contemporary research projects and discussed in the pertinent literature
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