HIST 7004 - The Archive

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

The archive has been a key site in the production of the past. The 'logic' of the archive - the choices by archivists about what to keep and dispose of, the history of the institution and its collection policies, the educational systems that produce archivists - comes to bear on the past by determining what is known and what is lost. Historians often have strong feelings about emotions - described by some commentators as 'archive fever'. This course explores how the archive has been theorised and interpreted by historians and observers of historical practice. It is designed to provide students with the tools to more critically engage with the records used to produce historical knowledge, to better understand the archive as domain of knowledge production, and to gain insight into the operation of archives as institutions.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HIST 7004
    Course The Archive
    Coordinating Unit Historical and Classical Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Group Presentation, Archive Task, Research Essay
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Katie Barclay

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the nature of the archive and how it shapes the production of historical knowledge;
    2. Apply this understanding to the interpretation of primary sources records;
    3. Communicate historical information effectively in a range of formats and to diverse audiences;
    4. Understand the ethical and professional issues involved in the production of historical knowledge;
    5. Reflect critically on their historical practice.














    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 4, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 4

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1, 4, 5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1, 3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All resources will be available through the library, MyUni or similar.
    Online Learning
    Each week students will have online activities to complete before class.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course combines online activities, a face to face workshop, and significant individual research.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Structured learning
    Online activities: 2 hours per week
    Seminar: 2 hours per week

    Self-directed learning
    Reading: 10 hours per week
    Research 10 hours per week
    Assignment preparation: 2 hours per week

    Total: 264 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    The list of topics is indicative only and may change from time to time.

    Week  Topic
    1 Introduction: What is an Archive
    2 A History of Collecting
    3 Visit to the State Records
    4 Historians and the Archive
    5 Archive Fever
    6 Archive Educations
    7 Vist to BSL Special Collections
    8 Archives and Identities
    9 Digital Archives
    10 Colonial Archives
    11 The Museum
    12 Roundup
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Group presentation
    Archive task 1500 words
    Research essay 4000 words
    Assessment Related Requirements
    none
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment Description % weighting
    Group presentation The presentation complements the archive task below and allows students to present their findings as a group. This is designed to encourage teamwork, oral communication skills, as well as those associated with the academic activity. 20
    Archive task Students will conduct set research tasks in an archive and critically reflect on the process using their knowledge from the course. 1500 words. 30
    Research essays Students will write a 4,000 word essay that engages with primary and secondary research and engages with the content fo the course. 50
    Submission
    Submission is through Turnitin on MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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