Archival Studies, MAS
Penelope Cliff, Director
Interested Applicants
Visit the Department of Archival Studies webpage.
You may also contact the department by email or by phone at: (678) 466-4400.
To apply, visit the Clayton State University School of Graduate Studies webpage.
Mission and Goals
Graduates of the Master Archival Studies Program will be successful archivists who are committed to curating comprehensive, trustworthy collections of records that merit long-term preservation. They will be well- grounded in theoretical knowledge and practical skills of archives. Graduates will understand the impact of the technology on the profession and will have the knowledge and skills to work with information technologists and to manage digital information; and they will know how to work in a rapidly changing environment, finding innovative solutions to the challenges of digital archives.
The Master of Archival Studies Program at Clayton State University provides students with an education grounded archival theory and practice with an emphasis on changing technical nature of records. At its core discussion of records is a discussion of the many different people, cultures, and ideas that lead to the creation of those records. This means that we will be striving to present course content and assignments that allow each of us to explore, engage, question, and ultimately hear each unique, diverse and inclusive understandings of archives. Through this effort we how that our students will understand key functions of record keeping practices and archival work in a diverse climate and technically changing world.
The curriculum is founded on the guidelines for archival education published by the Society of American Archivists and the Academy of Certified Archivists Role Delineation Statements.
Through courses incorporating archival principle, technology, and practical experience, students will be able to:
- Understand the principles of archival science and how archives are distinguished from libraries, museums, and other information professions;
- Understand records and record keeping systems and how they are changing in a digital environment;
- Acquire the knowledge and skills basic to all archival functions, including appraisal and selection, arrangement and description, reference and access, preservation and protection, outreach, and management of archival programs;
- Understand the role records play in a diverse and changing society.
- Understand the archival profession's legal and ethical obligations; and
- Master the technical skills necessary to work with digital materials.
Application Information
Students may begin the program at any time. Information about the application and admission process is available in the School of Graduate Studies section of this catalog and on the web at http://www.clayton.edu/graduate.
Advising
In order to keep students on track for completing the degree, the MAS faculty will serve as advisors to all students. The student will be required to meet with his or her advisor before registering for courses each semester.
Academic Policies
Information regarding academic progress, residency requirements, transfer credit, application deferral, acceptance deferral, withdrawal from a course(s), and hardship withdrawal policies is in the School of Graduate Studies section of this catalog and on the web at http://www.clayton.edu/graduate.
Students must complete thirty-six (36) semester hours of course work with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. During the course of the graduate program, twenty-one (21) semester credit hours should be in areas defined as core archival knowledge that provides the theoretical and practical basis necessary to work as a professional archivist. Nine hours (9) will be in Archival elective courses.
Students are to choose between a Thesis or Capstone option. Students will take six hours (6) in this area.
Students taking the research option will complete a thesis, and students taking the capstone option will take a comprehensive exam.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Explain the value and role of record keeping in a complex, dynamic, and diverse world.
- Make decisions on the value of records in order to document subjects in a trustworthy and authentic way.
- Explain the core functions of record keepers, including archivist and records managers, and how these professions facilitate and aid the capture, discovery and use of materials.
- Explain best methods for preserving recorded information regardless of format.
- Understand how record creation, capture, and preservation is impacted by legal, ethical, social, cultural, and technical forces that need to be understood, managed and actively challenged.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Archival Knowledge Courses | 21 | |
| ARST 5000 | Princ. & Practices in Records | 3 |
| ARST 5100 | Archives, Records and Tech | 3 |
| ARST 5150 | Preservation, Archival Records | 3 |
| ARST 5170 | Reference, Access and Outreach | 3 |
| ARST 5200 | Arrang & Desc of Archival Mat | 3 |
| ARST 5300 | Digital Preservation | 3 |
| ARST 5500 | Archiv Appraisal/Select/Eval | 3 |
| Archival Electives | 9 | |
| Choose three from the following: | ||
| Archives and the Web | ||
| Digital Curation, Preservation | ||
| Records Management | ||
| Law, Ethics and Records | ||
| Managing Archives | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Special Topics in Archives | ||
| Research and Capstone Tracks | 6 | |
| Choose one track from the following: | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Research Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARST 6900 | Directed Research | 3 |
| ARST 6999 | Thesis | 3 |
Capstone Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Research | ||
| Archives Internship | ||
| Applied Archives Experience | ||
| Capstone Track required course(s) | ||
| Archives Capstone (required) | ||
Archival Studies (ARST)
This course provides a modern overview of archives and records administration. It introduces the fundamental functions of records management and archival work including inventory, classification, appraisal, disposition, acquisition, arrangement, description, preservation, security, privacy and legal responsibilities, and professional ethics. Although the course will cover traditional record media as the basis for understanding the development of the archival and records management profession, the primary emphasis will be upon contemporary records and the use of technology for creation, preservation, and use of records.
This course will serve as an introduction and deep dive into how technology impacts records and archives Students will learn the fundamentals of how archivists utilize technology in their work and how changing technologies impact archival work. The course emphasizes contemporary electronic record formats and changing information technologies. Students will begin to develop the skills necessary to evaluate, utilize, and develop access systems and identify and apply appropriate technological solutions. This course will expose and require students to use technologies that impact the work of the archivist.
The focus of this course is on the role and potential of the World Wide Web as a medium for communicating information on archival institutions, programs and services, making finding aids and archival descriptive systems available to users, providing online access to digital and/or digitized records and documents, and promoting among the general public a broad awareness of the importance of archives in contemporary societies. The importance of the WWW as a source of information and knowledge for archivists will be enlightened as well. Through lectures, presentations on specific topics and analysis of archival web sites, students will gain insight into relevant issues arising from the nature and characteristics of the Web. In addition, students will learn how to make correct and fruitful use of the Web in archival work. Issues and techniques related to the planning, production, and management of large World Wide Web sites will be discussed and students will gain information and experience in organization and design as well as hardware and software development tools.
This course will provide an overview of the considerations, priorities, and methods that professionals use in preserving archival materials in all formats. It will introduce the principles and ethics of professional conservators, key concepts, nature of the deterioration processes, environmental threats, security, and disaster preparedness, reformatting, storage and handling, evaluation of treatment, and the preservation management plans.
This course provides instruction to students in the methods of providing effective customer service for users of archives; ensuring the security of archival material during use; and documenting research use; and researcher education. Students will learn about the importance of promoting an archival program within their organization and to outside constituencies, and the ways in which archival records are used for research. Other topics will include issues concerning the administration of access, copyright, privacy, confidentiality, donor-imposed restrictions, and open records laws. Students will become proficient in the use of reference and access tools in both electronic and print format as well as skills such as visual imaging that are important to making archival records available via the Internet.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
This course provides an in-depth and applied study of the intellectual and physical organization of archival material in all media and formats. Topics include principles and methods underlying arrangement of archival materials as well as principles and description of archival records according to standards adopted by the archival community.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000 (may be taken concurrently)
Restrictions: Master of Archival Studies
An in-depth analysis and practical application of system requirements and tools available to support traditional archival functions in the context of an Open Archival Information System. Includes managerial perspectives relating both to evaluation of functionality, licensing, and costs and to implementation, including requests for proposal, development, and collaboration with IT staff. Examination of specific tools to support digital repositories and content management systems, digital forensics, migration, emulation and virtualization, archives management, and data analysis.
Prerequisites: ARST 5100
This course will build on the introduction to electronic records presented in preceding courses and will address the particular challenges of digital materials associated with each of the archival domains. It will address media longevity, hardware and software obsolescence, authenticity and integrity of digital materials, and preservation and security. The course will emphasize the Open Archival Information System Reference Model (OAIS) and the Trusted Repository Audit and Certification (TRAC). Students will be able to apply current best practices to manage collections of digital records.
This course will teach the knowledge that archivists need to know in order to evaluate current recordkeeping practices as the basis for managing the records of contemporary organizations. It will provide an understanding of the traditional theory, methods, and practices of records management. This course incorporates the principles and theory necessary for the management and preservation of digital records using national and international standards.
This course provides a framework for understanding appraisal theory and how it is important in archival work. Students will learn the methods and procedures that archivists use to identify, evaluate, acquire, authenticate, and dispose of records in all formats. Review of frameworks that archivists have used to guide appraisal work will enable students to make informed professional decisions concerning the selection and acquisition of archival material. Issues of collection development policies, ownership and intellectual rights will also be addressed.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
Restrictions: Master of Archival Studies
This course examines legal and ethical issues that arise in as a result of laws, regulations, rules, and cultural practices as they concern the creation, use and management of recorded information. Students will be able to describe the legal basis of access to records, of rights of privacy and publicity, and of use of records in legal proceedings. Students will be able to explain intellectual property rights, including copyrights and cultural property rights. Students will be able to explain professional expectations for ethical conduct and the core values of records management and archival profession.
This course provides introduction to general management principles and practices intended for archivists working in all types of organizations. Topics include planning, budgeting, organizational theory, staffing, leadership, organizational change, and decision making.
This course will describe how research is integral to the archival profession. Students will learn the fundamental principles and practices of humanities and social science research, including historical interpretations, qualitative and quantitative methods, the analysis and evaluation of data from a variety of sources, and making appropriate conclusions. Students will be able to evaluate archival operations from the perspective of researchers.
The examination of current topics related to archival theory and practice.
This course is designed for students to explore an archival topic in depth with a faculty member over the course of a semester. The student is to create a well-defined archive related project or write a research paper on an archival topic. Students will work independently, with consultation with an MAS Faculty member.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
Practical experience and the observation of the professional work of others in a recognized archival repository under the supervision of an experienced archivist. Students apply the knowledge acquired in course work, as well as gain insight into the basic functions and activities performed by archivists or records personnel.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
Supervised, practical experience in an archives and in an online environment, coupled with classroom discussion and exercises. Students apply the knowledge acquired in course work, as well as gain insight into the basic functions and activities performed by archivists or records personnel.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
Provides students with an opportunity to investigate some aspect of archives in depth, under the guidance of a faculty member, resulting in a defined project or research paper.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
Students demonstrate their mastery of archival knowledge and practical skills through a series of reports, oral interviews, and demonstration projects, concluding with a comprehensive written exam.
Prerequisites: ARST 5000
In-depth examination of some aspect of archives based on original ideas and research, supported by existing scholarship. A written thesis is required.