Course - Introduction to archives and museums - LBAS1001
Introduction to archives and museums
About
About the course
Course content
The course presents archival science and museology as fields of study, and gives an introduction to archives and museums as institutions and workplaces. Central concepts and terms, basic theories, historical developments, and political ideas and plans for archives and museums in Norway are introduced. The course also adresses digitization as phenomenon, and offers perspectives on the differences between physical and digital archives and collections management.
Some of the major questions explored in the course are: What are archives and museums? What features do archives and museum collections have that make them important to societies and individuals: before, now, and in the future? How have they developed historically, as fields of study, scientific subjects, and places of experience and learning? How has digitization affected archival science and archive institutions, museum studies and museums?
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The student has knowledge about
- what archives and museums are.
- the variety of materials that archives and museums manage.
- main working areas in archives- and collections management.
- the Norwegian archive and museum landscape.
- basic aspects of the history of archival science and museology.
- main trends in the political agenda for archives and museums in Norway.
- basic features of the digitization of society and of how this affects archives and museums.
Skills
The student can
- describe the work that goes on in archive institutions and museums.
- discuss similarities and differences between archives and museums.
- give an overview of the development of archival science and museology as fields of study.
- explain, in basic terms, how digitization has affected archives and museums.
General competence
The student
- has a general understanding of what museums and archive institutions do.
- is conscious of the significance of archives and museum collections for society and the individual.
- sees archival science and museology in historical perspective.
- can assess, in part, how digitization affects archives and museums.
Learning methods and activities
A combination of lectures, excursions, group assignments and written assignments. If practice institutions wish to use BA students for e.g. preliminary projects, workshops or trials of various kinds, we will facilitate cooperation.
Compulsory assignments
- Compulsory work requirements in accordance with the course description
Further on evaluation
Examination
Home examination, duration 3 days.
Compulsory activities/assignments
- Written individual assignment or group assignment.
Compulsory activities/assignments are assessed as approved/not approved, and must be approved in order for the student to take the exam.
Compulsory assignments must be approved in the term the course is taught. Students who have previously approved compulsory assignments in this course, must contact the teacher responsible for the course at the start of the term to get an assessment as to whether the compulsory assignment is still valid.
Course materials
The course reading list and course plan will be published on NTNU's digital learning platform (Blackboard) at the beginning of term. Minor changes to the list may occur during term. Students are obliged to keep informed and up-to-date on all information from teachers via the learning platform and NTNU e-mails.
Special needs accommodation
Students with disabilities and students with special needs can apply for individual adaptation of their studies and exams (Act relating to universities and university colleges § 10-5). Please contact the programme’s Student Adviser (e-mail:
Subject areas
- Archival knowledge
- Digitalisation
- Social Sciences
- Technological subjects
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025
Home examination
Submission 2025-12-12 Time Release 09:00
Submission 09:00 Duration 3 days Exam system Inspera Assessment