Program Overview

INF335 Records, Archives and Society

This subject provides a detailed introduction to the role of record keeping and archiving in society. It considers key concepts and theories including provenance and records continuum theory and discusses the role of records in providing accountability, evidence and memory in contemporary society.

Subject Description

The subject focuses on ethical and legal frameworks for record keeping and archiving and introduces students to major national and international debates in the discipline. Topics covered include definitions of key terms used to describe and explain records and archives, records as information, evidence and memory, the history of record keeping, legislation, standards, ethics, the role of records and archives in government and business and archives and power.

Availability

The subject is available in Session 1, with 30 students, and is offered online and at the Wagga Wagga Campus.

Subject Information

• Grading System: HD/FL
• Duration: One session
• School: School of Information Studies
• Enrolment Restrictions: Not available to students who have completed INF306, INF309 or INF527.
• Subject Relationships: INF527 Paired Subject
• Incompatible Subjects: INF306, INF309, INF527

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to demonstrate understanding of a coherent body of knowledge surrounding key archival principles and theories
• be able to demonstrate understanding and apply critically knowledge of the concepts of authenticity, reliability and integrity of records
• be able to demonstrate critical thinking and judgment in understanding the ethical and legal environment for record keeping and archiving
• be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of key national and international record keeping policies and standards
• be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of historical and contemporary national and international debates in records and archives

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• What are records and archives?
• Key terms and principles
• Records continuum, records life cycle and series system theories
• History of record keeping
• The legislative environment
• Ethics
• Record keeping standards
• Record keeping, archives, government and business today
• Record keeping, archives and people today
• Current debates in records and archives
• Archives and power
• The future