Students will get an introduction to the current issues and trends in preservation, archival theory, and conservation.  They will learn about the historical and emergent forms and how materials of cultural and scientific knowledge are accessible to present users and future generations, about the methods of assessment for providing access to analog and digital records as trustworthy evidence and memory covering activities of individuals, families, organizations, groups, and movements.  Focus will be on critical thinking around privacy, human rights, social justice, activism, and memorial contestation.  Students will be oriented to the principles of archival professional practice of arrangement and description; appraisal theories; and learn about the practices for diverse organizations in the changing perspectives and social contexts.

Recommended for students in the Archives and Preservation sub-area as the foundational course to take before enrolling in specialized classes.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Comprehend the foundational dimensions of the archival and preservation practice and theory in the historical and the changing perspectives and social contexts.
• Evaluate institutional frameworks, representational systems, and organizational schemes related to archives and preservation.
• Understand the politics of archives and preservation for the knowledge continuum in diverse contexts and media forms.
• Understand the contemporary practices involving archival material and curating a collection.