Course content

This course gives a thorough understanding of the archives and records management discipline and the discipline's theory of science in a social science context, in international and Norwegian research traditions. Specifically, attention is directed towards the development of modern records management from the last half of the 20th Century until today. How we think of records has changed with the development of the welfare society, and the digitalization of public and private sector. At the same time has changes in the general theory of science and the scientific understanding affected archives and records management. The aim of this course s to highlight and discuss the different traditions within archival science. Central questions related to the development and exchange between countries and regions in terms of how we understand this area, and how and why this area can be understood in different ways. One important question that also is an important part of current research, is what defines the transfer from a "passive" record keeping approach to an "active" approach to records management.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student:

• has thorough knowledge about archival science theory and the deveolpment of such theory
• has advanced knowledge about the development of records management in a social and business context.

Skills

The student:

• can give an account of important national and regional differences in the approach to records management

General competence

The student:

• can discuss the role of archives and records management over time in relation to social science
• can explain how the development of and relationship between the theory and practice field of archives and records management cohere.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars and group work.

Compulsory assignments

• Oral group presentation

Course materials

Updated reading list will be available at the beginning of the semester. See Blackboard for further details.