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, political ideas and plans for archives and museums in Norway are introduced, as well as historical developments. 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?
The course includes excursions to an archival institution and a museum, as well as a thorough introduction to the work area of collections management in museums, with the use of physical objects.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The student has knowledge about
- what archives and museums are
- the variety of materials, objects and records that archives and museums manage
- main working areas in archives- and collections management
- the societal role og archives and museums
- 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
- can express himself/herself professionally, both orally and in writing
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
- Individual academic assignment or group assignment. This can be written or oral. The assignment is given after the start of the semester.
- Individual academic assignment or group assignment. This can be written or oral. The assignment is given after the start of the semester.
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. Compulsory assignments are valid for two years.
Compulsory activities and exams must be answered in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.
The student must answer assignments and exams independently. Answers that do not demonstrate independence, regardless of whether there is a unclear understanding of academic sources, missing references to sources, or uncritical use of AI, will receive a mark deduction, depending on the extent. Students are allowed to use AI in preparation for assignments, but must familiarize themselves with how they can use this tool critically and independently, so that it contributes to learning in the subject.
- You can read more about academic source use and assignment writing here: https://i.ntnu.no/oppgaveskriving
- You can read more about the use of AI as a tool in assignment writing here: https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Artificial+intelligence+in+student+papers
Course materials
The course reading list and course plan will be published on NTNU's digital learning platform (Canvas) 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