[Sample 2007, 9-week course]
Troy University—Dothan Campus
Syllabus, HIS 3360, Intro to Archives
Instructor Contact Information
Dr. Martin T. Olliff
LT 221 (inside
Archives of Wiregrass History and Culture)
Phone: 334-983-6556
x327
E-Mail: molliff@troy.edu
Website:
http://dothan.troy.edu/AS/molliff
Course
Prerequisites: Junior standing + Nine hours of History
Coursework
Required Texts
Gregory Hunter,
Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives, 2nd
edition (NY: Neil-Schuman, Publishers, 2003)
Maygene F. Daniels
and Timothy Walch, A Modern Archives Reader Washington, DC:
National Archives and Records Administration, 2002)
Other Readings
Provided by Instructor via Blackboard—See Course Calendar
Course Content:
The course contains two segments: 1) an introduction to the tasks
of archival work and, 2). a primer on archives and the history of
archival development A take-home exam follows each section. I will
provide potential exam questions in advance. You will have a short
paper (1500-2000 words) for which you will turn in an
electronic copy.
Method of
Instruction: The Course Calendar lists each class meeting topic
and assigned readings. While I expect every student to become
familiar with every reading, I will assign, in turn, one student to
be the lead explicator for each assigned text. Class will consist
of discussions of the texts and the issues raised therein. Also, as
appropriate and available, I will assign actual cases for the class
to consider in order to focus and apply principles under
consideration.
Evaluations:
Your grade for the course comes from the following:
First
Take-Home Exam = 25% of final grade
Final Take-Home Exam = 25% of final grade
Class Participation = 30% of final grade
Short Paper on an Archival Topic = 20% of final grade.
Attendance Policy:
According to the Troy University Undergraduate Bulletin,
“Each student is expected to attend [his/her] classes at the
designated time and place scheduled.”
If you drop the class, be sure you file
the appropriate paperwork. If you remain on my roll at the end of
the term but have never attended or have stopped attending class, I
will assign you an “FA.”
Blackboard:
Use Blackboard to access information about this course, including
class messages, the syllabus, changes to course calendar, questions
for the readings, Research Paper information, etc. Access
Blackboard from the Troy University—Dothan Campus webpage.
E-mail:
I send out frequent mass and individual e-mails using Blackboard and
ASSUME you receive them. Your MUST update your personal information
on Blackboard to make sure your e-mail address is the one you
actually use. Just because you send me an e-mail does not mean I
will update your Blackboard information.
Academic Misconduct Policy:
“Your work may [will] be submitted to an on-line plagiarism
detection service. Cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing
false information to the University constitutes academic misconduct,
and disciplinary procedures specified in the Student Handbook
will be followed.”
Turnitin.com:
You may self-check your research proposals and papers for
originality by submitting them to Turnitin.com. See the
instructional PowerPoint slideshow on the class Blackboard site.
Your Turnitin Class ID number is [REDACTED]; your Password is
[REDACTED].
Penalties:
If you cheat, I will assign you a grade of “0” (Zero) for the
assignment. If you plagiarize, I will assign a “0” for the
assignment AND turn in your name to the University Administration.
If you cheat or plagiarize egregiously, I will initiate action with
the Student Services Committee.
Deadlines:
There are no “do-overs.” Once you’ve turned in your work, it’s in,
though I am happy to examine a draft before the deadline.
Excuses for missing work: If you do not have a valid excuse for missing a class, exercise, or
exam, you will not be allowed to make up the work. Allowed excuses
include documented physical incapacity (hospitalized, jailed,
dead). Inadequate excuses include computer problems (you have time
to change computers). Also, you must contact me IMMEDIATELY if you
get bumped from an on-line quiz or test.
Late Work:
Work is due at the beginning of the class hour on the due date
unless otherwise stated. You must have a documented excused absence
or have my prior consent to turn work in late. Penalty for
late work is 5 points per day.
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Students with disabilities, or those who suspect they have a
disability, must register with the Disability Services Coordinator
in order to receive accommodations. Students currently registered
should present their Disability Services Accommodation Letter to the
instructor at the beginning of each term. If you have any
questions, contact the Disability Services Coordinator at (334)
983-6556 ext 1221 or visit Malone Hall 120.
Since campus
elevators are subject to power outages and mechanical breakdown
beyond our control, students who have difficulty negotiating stairs
and are attending classrooms above ground level should notify their
instructor during the first week of class. Consideration will be
given to relocating the classroom or making other arrangements.

Course Calendar (subject to change)
|
Day |
Date |
Topic |
Readings |
|
Wed |
10-17 |
INTRODUCTION |
|
|
Mon |
10-22 |
What do
Archivists Do? |
Hunter, Ch
1;
Dearstyne,
Managing Historical Records Programs,
Ch 1;
Fleckner in
Jimerson, 21-28;
O’Toole,
Understanding Archives & Manuscripts, Ch 4. |
|
Wed |
10-24 |
Archival
Tasks 1—Identify:
Survey,
Appraise, Acquire |
Hunter,
21-30, 51-69, 87-95;
AWHC
Collecting Policy |
|
FRI |
10-26 |
SALA
CONFERENCE @ TROY-DOTHAN |
|
|
Mon |
10-29 |
Archival
Tasks 2—Preservation: Preserve, Secure, Arrange |
Hunter
157-170, 181-187, then 113-130;
Ritzenthaler, Preserving Archives & Manuscripts,
Ch 1 & 2 |
|
Wed |
10-31 |
Archival
Tasks 3—Make Available: Description, Access, Outreach |
Hunter,
Ch 6 & 9;
Finding
Aid |
|
Mon |
11-05 |
Role of
Records in Society |
O’Toole,
Understanding Archives & Manuscripts, Ch 1;
Foote in
Jimerson, 29-46;
O’Toole in
Jimerson, 47-72 |
|
Wed |
11-07 |
History of
Ancient Archives |
O’Toole,
Understanding Archives & Manuscripts, Ch 2;
Posner,
Archives in the Ancient World, 1-11;
Chiera,
They Wrote on Clay, 67-79 |
|
Mon |
11-12 |
European
Background of Archives
EXAM 1 DUE |
Duranti in
Nesmith, 29-60;
Posner in
Daniels & Walch, 3-14 |
|
Wed |
11-14 |
European
Background of Archives / American Archival Traditions |
Panitch in
Jimerson, 101-122 /
Gilliland-Swetland
in Jimerson, 123-142 |
|
Mon |
11-19 |
American
Archival Traditions |
Van Tassel,
Recording America’s Past, 59-65, 95-110. |
|
Wed |
11-21 |
university closed: turkey |
|
|
Mon |
11-26 |
Growth of
US Archives |
Jones,
Local Government Records, 3-21;
Posner,
American State Archives, 1-42 |
|
Wed |
11-28 |
Growth of
US Archives |
McCoy in
Guardian of Heritage, 1-15 |
|
Mon |
12-03 |
Electronic
Records Issues |
Hunter, Ch
10;
Henry in
Jimerson, 569-88; |
|
Wed |
12-05 |
Electronic
Records Issues |
Pearce-Moses, “Janus in Cyberspace,” AA,
http://www.archivists.org/governance/presidential/pearce-moses.asp;
Hunter,
Preserving Digital Information, Ch 3. |
|
Mon |
12-10 |
Archival
Ethics and Professionalization
PAPER DUE |
Hunter,
Ch 13 and Appendix B;
Dingwall,
“Trusting Archivists,” in AA |
|
Thur |
12-13 |
EXAM 2 DUE |
|