Course - Ethics and politics for archives and museums - LBAS1003
Ethics and politics for archives and museums
About
About the course
Course content
The course provides knowledge about the development of Norway as a nation state and the importance of nation building for the establishment of Norwegian archives and museums. At the same time, the course provides insight into postcolonial theory, issues related to unbalanced power relations between majority societies and minority groups, and how such imbalances are reflected in collected archival material, museum collections, exhibitions and other types of dissemination. Political documents and professional ethical regulations for practical work in archives and museums are problematized in light of critical theoretical insight from the fields of archival knowledge and museum studies (museology). The course also touches on topics related to the political use of history, memorial sites and memorial museums.
Archivists and records managers will often encounter conflicting demands and interests in their professional practice, and must be able to balance different ethical considerations against each other. The archives section of the curriculum covers ICA's archival ethics regulations and topics related to the role of archives in public administration, as well as the importance of private archives for comprehensive social documentation. Ethical challenges that archivists and records managers may encounter in their daily work are discussed from a national and international perspective.
The museum curriculum in the course provides a basis for discussions about ethical reflections and moral choices related to the daily work of museum employees and to the societal roles of museums, past and present. Topics covered include, for example, the value basis for the core tasks of collection management, research and dissemination, ICOM's museum ethics regulations, museums' work with tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Norway and internationally, repatriation/return of cultural heritage objects, privacy related to the collection of commemorative material and digital ethics.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The student has knowledge about
- ethical frameworks for archives and museums
- the main features of the nation state and nation building processes
- majorities and minorities
- basic human rights
- the political goals for the cultural heritage field in Norway
Skills
The student can
- describe and explain the role of museums and archives in a democratic society
- describe and explain the ethical guidelines for archive and museum professionals
General competence
The student
- has an overview of, and can critically relate to, nation building processes and nationalism as phenomena.
- understands the concepts majority and minority, and can relate them to the archive and museum fields.
- has a grasp of ethical frameworks and guidelines for archives and museums, and can contribute to ethical assessments in this field.
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
- Academic assignment or group assignment
- Draft term paper
Further on evaluation
Examination
The exam consists of two assessments:
- Term paper (70 % of course grade)
- Home examination (30 % of course grade), duration 3 days
It is possible to appeal a grade given on individual parts of the assessment.
Compulsory activities/assignments
- Reading log. The assignment will be presented at the beginning of term.
- Draft for the term paper. The assignment will be presented at the beginning of term.
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.
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Examination
Term paper
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.
- Draft for the term paper. The assignment will be presented at the beginning of term.
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
Recommended previous knowledge
LBAS1001, LBAS1002
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:
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| ILU6002 | 15 sp | Spring 2017 |
Subject areas
- Ethics
- Archival knowledge
- Digitalisation
- Social Sciences
- Technological subjects