| CODE | HST2020 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Archives for Historians | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | History | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit is intended to provide students with some insights into various methodologies and tools for research in archives. Through a series of case-studies mainly related to the Maltese and the Mediterranean context, the study-unit focuses on a general overview of: the definition of archives and records; the different typologies of documents and archival procedures; the processes of formation, accumulation, and management of the archival material; the importance of the administrative history of an institution for understanding institutions as archival creators; the role of the archivist and other information professionals; the use of traditional and digital sources and finding aids. Similarities and differences between archives and libraries will also be discussed. Study-Unit Aims: - To offer students insights into Malta's archival landscape; - To equip students with the main methodologies and tools for archival research; - To make students aware of both traditional and digital resources; - To provide insights into the history of archives, institutions and archival procedures. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify and interpret a wide range of archival materials; - Analyse and understand the relationship between a historical research question and the related archival material; - Recognise the different nature of archives and libraries and how to use them. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish and read critically primary and secondary sources; - Engage critically with academic resources, showing confidence in using traditional finding aids and navigate through online tools; - Apply tailor-made research methodologies to write an effective assignment. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Cook, T. (2010). "Landscapes of the Past: Archivists, Historians and the Fight for Memory." Public Lecture, The Ministry of Culture for Spain and The National Historical Archives Madrid, Spain, June 23, 2010. https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/dam/jcr:c15b65cd-851c-4a81-9528-6ef87984e417/conferencia-terry-cook.pdf. - Cook, T. (2011). The Archive(s) Is a Foreign Country: Historians, Archivists, and the Changing Archival Landscape. The American Archivist, 74 (2), 600–632. doi: https://doi.org/10.17723/aarc.74.2.xm04573740262424. - Owens, T., Padilla, T. (2020). Digital sources and digital archives: historical evidence in the digital age. Int J Digit Humanities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42803-020-00028-7. - Yale, E. (2015). The History of Archives: The State of the Discipline. Book History 18, 332-359. doi:10.1353/bh.2015.0007. - Ketelaar, E. (2001). Tacit narratives: The meanings of archives. Archival Science 1, 131–141 . https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02435644. Supplementary sources will be provided according to the case studies. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Valeria Vanesio |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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