Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
IL20420
Module Title
Record Revolutions: A Cultural History of Record Keeping
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay 2  3000 Words  60%
Semester Assessment Essay 1  2000 Words  40%
Supplementary Assessment Resit Essay 2  3000 Words  60%
Supplementary Assessment Resit Essay 1  2000 Words  40%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Identify different types of records and discuss their specific historical contexts.

2. Explain the distinctive characteristics of recordkeeping practice and discuss these within specific historical contexts.

3. Evaluate and analyse how recordkeeping is affected by cultural, social, political, historical and economic environments in which it is situated.

4. Assess the impact of technology on recordkeeping practice and culture.

5. Identify, and critically engage with, a range of secondary materials (articles, books, web-based resources) on the historical development of record keeping.

Brief description

This module explores the history and development of recordkeeping and why societies capture information in recorded form. This wideranging overview module begins with an examination of ‘recordkeeping’ in pre-script societies, and explores the history of recordkeeping through a series of several ‘revolutions’ from the rise of manuscript culture through to the rise of the digital record.

Content

This module will cover the following topics:

 The development of writing
 Ancient recordkeeping societies, notably Babylon, Sumer and other clay tablet empires, but also Egypt and China
 Greek and Roman recordkeeping
 Medieval scribal culture
 The rise of print culture and rise of the antiquarians
 The professionalization of recordkeeping and growth of archive services
 The information explosion and rise of digital recordkeeping.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number n/a
Communication Written skills through essay submissions . Discussion in seminars (not assessed).
Improving own Learning and Performance Developing confidence in oral discussion and debate through seminar contribution and presentations Developing confidence in written work and responding to previous feedback.
Information Technology Appropriate use of IT to identify relevant primary and secondary sources.
Personal Development and Career planning Wider appreciation of record keeping culture for those planning to work in archive/library/record environments.
Problem solving Through critical interpretation of essay questions and ability to evaluate and use appropriate sources in researching and writing assignments.
Research skills Through identification of appropriate secondary reading. Through critical analysis of and engagement with secondary reading.
Subject Specific Skills Developing and understanding of academic subject and the relationship to professional issues.
Team work n/a

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5