Back Home	Seminar on Records and Archives in Society
Course This Week Past Reedings History Archives Projects       Sylabus Course Calendar Guide for Review Essays	Course Description Objectives This course seeks to provide students with a historical understanding of the origins, organization, and development of records, record keeping systems, and archival institutions in society. Although a significant portion of the course focuses on record keeping and archival programs in the United States, record keeping and archives in other countries and other historical eras will also be addressed. The course should provide students anticipating careers in the archival profession with a solid background in the history of archives and record keeping that will serve as a foundation for further study and research in archival theory and practice. Methods Class meetings will involve discussions based on readings assigned by the instructor ("Core Readings"), readings selected by the student ("Additional Readings" and "Review Essays"). Students are encouraged to subscribe to the "Archives and Archivists'" Internet discussion list (see the Society of American Archivists' home page for subscription procedures). Students will also be expected to complete a major project during the quarter in the form of either a bibliographic essay or the processing of a archival collection or record group. Details of the project will be covered in class and in individual meetings with the instructor. Review Essays Students must select, read, and prepare review essays (2,000-2,500 words) on a book that relates to one of the topics in the history of archives and records covered in this course. Recommended works are included after the Additional Readings sections of the syllabus (see below), but students are not restricted to the books included in this syllabus. Students who wish to review works not listed in this syllabus must receive approval from the instructor. Students should plan to present their review essays in conjunction with the appropriate topic. For example, a student who reads Elizabeth M. Hallam's Domesday Book through Nine Centuries should plan to present his or her review essay during the week that focuses on the medieval period. Students are not limited to the books listed in this syllabus and are encouraged to locate other works for their review essays. Review essays should not merely summarize the work under review but should also place the work in historiographical context, analyze its arguments, and evaluate its merits with respect to other work in the field. Failure to meet these criteria will be reflected in the grade. Click here for additional information on preparing review essays. Students will be scheduled to present their review essays in class and should provide the instructor and other class members with copies of their essay at least two days in advance. Class members should read essays before class and be prepared to offer comments and constructive criticisms in class. Readings Students will be expected to read extensively in the archival literature. Assignments for each seminar meeting consist of "Core Readings" and "Additional Readings." Core Readings should be read by all seminar members; you are expected come to class fully prepared to discuss the Core Readings. Additional Readings will be selected by individual seminar members, who will be responsible for (1) providing the seminar with an oral summary and analysis of the material supplemented by a written synopsis and (2) leading a discussion based on the reading. Click here for guidelines on readings. Evaluation Grades will be based on class participation (30%), the review essay (10%), the project (30%), and the final examination (30%). Students may anticipate that the final examination will be a take-home exam unless otherwise notified during the quarter. Office Hours 318 Thach Hall, 3-5 PM, Mondays and Wednesdays, or by appointment. Office Phone: 844-6634 E-mail address: jakemrj@mail.auburn.edu Class Meetings Unless otherwise announced, class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30-3:00 PM, in 312B Thach Hall. Special Notice Students with disabilities who need accommodations for this class must be formally registered with Auburn University's Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096, haynemd@auducadm.auburn.edu. Registered students should identify themselves to the instructor at the beginning of the quarter by presenting a letter from the Director of the Program for Students with Disabilities that details the accommodations to which the student is entitled. The student is responsible for scheduling a meeting with the instructor to discuss which accommodations are appropriate for this class.