Records and Society

Records and Society History 5581-101 Instructor: Harry Keiner, Ph.D., C.A. Appalachian State University Spring, 2008 Classroom: The Rhinehart Room, 408 Belk Library Class Hours: Tuesday/Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Instructor’s Office and Office Hours: Office: Room 458, Special Collections, Belk Library Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15-11:15 am Please note that my responsibilities as University Archivist will often require that I be absent during these times. I will certainly endeavor to be in my office at the times stated above, but to be sure that I am available, I highly recommend making an appointment. Office Telephone: 828.262.7424 Email: keinerhc@appstate.edu Homepage: http://www.library.appstate.edu/archives/index.html Course Description: This course introduces students to the history, functions, and value of records and archives to society. Through readings, lectures, and research projects, students will explore the historical origins of records and record keeping; the establishment and evolution of archives, mainly in Western Europe and the United States; and the issues facing archivists and records managers in the Digital Age. From this exploration students will learn something about the complex relationship between records, memory, and historical interpretation. Course Content and Objectives: This course offers students two broad avenues to understand the importance of historical records and record keeping. First, students will enter record repositories as historians, seeking information to answer questions about the past. Then, students will work as archivists to learn how the universe of historical information available for research is shaped through such activities as selection, cataloging, and preservation. This Janus-like approach to the subject of records and society will study the collaboration of historians and record keepers from the ancient civilizations to the present with considerable stops along the way in medieval England, Renaissance Europe, and nineteenth and early twentieth century America. The course will conclude with a thorough discussion of the work of archivists and historians in the post-modern world of digital records and, perhaps, a new social life of information, a life that challenges the relevance and integrity of both professions. The specific objectives of the course are: To understand the history of record making and record keeping from ancient times to the present. To define and explore the relationship between archivists and historians. To understand the work of the archivist in shaping collections of historical records in repositories. To understand the work of the historian in seeking and evaluating historical records for research and publication. To evaluate the critiques of the work of both historians and archivists by philosophers and information scientists. Required Course Readings: Randall C. Jimerson, ed., American Archival Studies: Readings in Theory and Practice, Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2000. Copies on reserve at the Special Collections reference desk M. T. Clanchy, From Memory to Written Record, England 1066-1307, 2nd ed., Oxford, Blackwell Publishing, Ltd, 1993. Elizabeth L. Eisenstein, The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983. JoAnne Yates, Control through Communication: The Rise of System in American Management, Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1989. David M. Levy, Scrolling Forward: Making Sense of Documents in the Digital Age, New York: Arcade Publishing, 2001. These readings will be supplemented by articles on reserve in Special Collections, publications available on the Internet, and handouts. Methods of Evaluation: Preparation and participation in discussion, 20% Short paper, #1, 10% Short paper, #2, 10% Research Paper and Presentation, 30% Processing Project, 10% Final Examination, 20% Short quizzes will be given if needed to insure completion of reading assignments This course will be run as a lecture/seminar. Each class period will begin with a 30 to 40 minute lecture. The remaining time will be devoted to discussion of assigned readings and student presentations. Therefore, it is imperative that students, show up for class on time, do ALL assigned readings, and PARTICIPATE in class discussions. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Once class has begun, any tardy student will be considered absent. More than three absences will affect a student’s grade in the category of Preparation and Participation, and more than seven absences will result in a loss of all credit in this category. The first short paper will be assigned on Tuesday, January 22 and will be due in class on Tuesday, February 5. This six to eight page essay will investigate the historical significance and symbolic importance of one document, for example, the Unites States’ Constitution. The essay will explore the creation and use of the document, the history of its ownership and care, and its meaning or meanings today. More information about this essay, including a list of documents for research, will be provided on January 22. Students will be assigned a short processing project in the University Archives. Each student will be asked to organize a group of records and write a description of their contents. Projects will commence on February 12 and be completed on February 26. The second short paper will be assigned on Tuesday, February 26 and will be due in class on Thursday, March 6. This six to eight page essay will investigate the bibliographic history of a book from the Rare Book Collection. More information about how to conduct the research necessary to write this essay will be provided on February 26. The research paper will be assigned on March 6. This will be a critical essay, some 15 to 20 pages in length, plus notes and bibliography. The essay will be written in the form of a research proposal for a grant from a foundation. The essay will discuss the historical significance of the topic, and detail a research strategy designed to answer a set a carefully defined questions. The essay will include a thorough review of the secondary literature related to the topic, noting the strength and weakness of published books and articles. The essay will then explore the holdings of various special collections and archives through repository web sites, union lists, bibliographies, printed guides, and reference requests to identify primary sources for research. More information about this essay will be provided on March 6. The completed paper will be due on Tuesday, April 15. Each student will make a 30 minute presentation of their research paper in class, and answer questions regarding their topic and proposed research methodology. These presentations will occur on Thursday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 29. Short answer quizzes may be given in class from time to time. These exercises will be unannounced and will count towards your grade in the area of Preparation and Participation. Students who conscientiously complete all reading assignments should have no problem with these quizzes. A 2 ½ hour final examination will be given on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 12:00 noon. The examination will consist of two essay questions (75 minutes each). In general, the essay questions will test the students’ ability to synthesize the contents of the course as presented through the readings, lectures and discussions. The exam demands the writing of interpretive and argumentative essays that demonstrate an understanding of the broad historical and philosophical themes at the heart of Records & Society. Class Etiquette: Class begins promptly at 8:00 am. Please be seated at that hour. Please respect the ideas and opinions of your instructor and your fellow students. The success of this course depends on open and honest discussion. Argument and disagreement are encouraged, but criticism must be constructive and presented courteously. Note: Food and drink is NOT PERMITTED in the Rhinehart Room. TURN OFF all mobile phones and beepers before class begins. Academic Integrity: It is understood that all students have read and understand ASU’s Integrity Code, which can be found on-line at: http://www.academicaffairs.appstate.edu/files/academic_integrity_code.pdf All violations of academic integrity are forbidden. In short, all class work must be your own. Any student caught cheating, falsifying work, plagiarizing, stealing academic materials, or being complicit in such activities will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. RETURN

Records and Society
History 5581-101
Instructor: Harry Keiner, Ph.D., C.A.
Appalachian State University
Spring, 2008

Classroom: The Rhinehart Room, 408 Belk Library

Class Hours: Tuesday/Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

Please note that my responsibilities as University Archivist will often require that I be absent during these times. I will certainly endeavor to be in my office at the times stated above, but to be sure that I am available, I highly recommend making an appointment.

Office Telephone: 828.262.7424

This course introduces students to the history, functions, and value of records and archives to society. Through readings, lectures, and research projects, students will explore the historical origins of records and record keeping; the establishment and evolution of archives, mainly in Western Europe and the United States; and the issues facing archivists and records managers in the Digital Age. From this exploration students will learn something about the complex relationship between records, memory, and historical interpretation.

This course offers students two broad avenues to understand the importance of historical records and record keeping. First, students will enter record repositories as historians, seeking information to answer questions about the past. Then, students will work as archivists to learn how the universe of historical information available for research is shaped through such activities as selection, cataloging, and preservation. This Janus-like approach to the subject of records and society will study the collaboration of historians and record keepers from the ancient civilizations to the present with considerable stops along the way in medieval England, Renaissance Europe, and nineteenth and early twentieth century America. The course will conclude with a thorough discussion of the work of archivists and historians in the post-modern world of digital records and, perhaps, a new social life of information, a life that challenges the relevance and integrity of both professions. The specific objectives of the course are:

To understand the history of record making and record keeping from ancient times to the present.
To define and explore the relationship between archivists and historians.
To understand the work of the archivist in shaping collections of historical records in repositories.
To understand the work of the historian in seeking and evaluating historical records for research and publication.
To evaluate the critiques of the work of both historians and archivists by philosophers and information scientists.

Randall C. Jimerson, ed., American Archival Studies: Readings in Theory and Practice, Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2000. Copies on reserve at the Special Collections reference desk
M. T. Clanchy, From Memory to Written Record, England 1066-1307, 2nd ed., Oxford, Blackwell Publishing, Ltd, 1993.
Elizabeth L. Eisenstein, The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983.
JoAnne Yates, Control through Communication: The Rise of System in American Management, Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1989.
David M. Levy, Scrolling Forward: Making Sense of Documents in the Digital Age, New York: Arcade Publishing, 2001.

These readings will be supplemented by articles on reserve in Special Collections, publications available on the Internet, and handouts.

Preparation and participation in discussion, 20%
Short paper, #1, 10%
Short paper, #2, 10%
Research Paper and Presentation, 30%
Processing Project, 10%
Final Examination, 20%
Short quizzes will be given if needed to insure completion of reading assignments

This course will be run as a lecture/seminar. Each class period will begin with a 30 to 40 minute lecture. The remaining time will be devoted to discussion of assigned readings and student presentations. Therefore, it is imperative that students, show up for class on time, do ALL assigned readings, and PARTICIPATE in class discussions. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Once class has begun, any tardy student will be considered absent. More than three absences will affect a student’s grade in the category of Preparation and Participation, and more than seven absences will result in a loss of all credit in this category.

The first short paper will be assigned on Tuesday, January 22 and will be due in class on Tuesday, February 5. This six to eight page essay will investigate the historical significance and symbolic importance of one document, for example, the Unites States’ Constitution. The essay will explore the creation and use of the document, the history of its ownership and care, and its meaning or meanings today. More information about this essay, including a list of documents for research, will be provided on January 22.

Students will be assigned a short processing project in the University Archives. Each student will be asked to organize a group of records and write a description of their contents. Projects will commence on February 12 and be completed on February 26.

The second short paper will be assigned on Tuesday, February 26 and will be due in class on Thursday, March 6. This six to eight page essay will investigate the bibliographic history of a book from the Rare Book Collection. More information about how to conduct the research necessary to write this essay will be provided on February 26.

The research paper will be assigned on March 6. This will be a critical essay, some 15 to 20 pages in length, plus notes and bibliography. The essay will be written in the form of a research proposal for a grant from a foundation. The essay will discuss the historical significance of the topic, and detail a research strategy designed to answer a set a carefully defined questions. The essay will include a thorough review of the secondary literature related to the topic, noting the strength and weakness of published books and articles. The essay will then explore the holdings of various special collections and archives through repository web sites, union lists, bibliographies, printed guides, and reference requests to identify primary sources for research. More information about this essay will be provided on March 6. The completed paper will be due on Tuesday, April 15.

Each student will make a 30 minute presentation of their research paper in class, and answer questions regarding their topic and proposed research methodology. These presentations will occur on Thursday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 29.

Short answer quizzes may be given in class from time to time. These exercises will be unannounced and will count towards your grade in the area of Preparation and Participation. Students who conscientiously complete all reading assignments should have no problem with these quizzes.

A 2 ½ hour final examination will be given on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 12:00 noon. The examination will consist of two essay questions (75 minutes each). In general, the essay questions will test the students’ ability to synthesize the contents of the course as presented through the readings, lectures and discussions. The exam demands the writing of interpretive and argumentative essays that demonstrate an understanding of the broad historical and philosophical themes at the heart of Records & Society.

Class begins promptly at 8:00 am. Please be seated at that hour.
Please respect the ideas and opinions of your instructor and your fellow students. The success of this course depends on open and honest discussion. Argument and disagreement are encouraged, but criticism must be constructive and presented courteously.
Note: Food and drink is NOT PERMITTED in the Rhinehart Room.
TURN OFF all mobile phones and beepers before class begins.

It is understood that all students have read and understand ASU’s Integrity Code, which can be found on-line at:

All violations of academic integrity are forbidden. In short, all class work must be your own. Any student caught cheating, falsifying work, plagiarizing, stealing academic materials, or being complicit in such activities will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.