Archival Systems and the Profession

Pre-Requisites: ARST 510, 515, 516, 520

Goal: The goal of this course is to give students a broad understanding of the various institutional components of the Canadian archival system and profession and how they have developed over time in comparison with archival systems and the profession in other countries as a means of developing a critical appreciation of the context in which archivists work.

Objectives: Upon completion of the course students will:

1. Understand the origins, broad lines of development, and current state of the institutions and organizations that constitute the Canadian archival system
2. Understand the broad lines of development of archival systems in countries comparable to Canada.
3. Understand the mandate of Canadian public archival institutions as reflected in the laws and establishing them, regulations governing management of public records, and laws governing use and access to public records.
4. Understand the roles and responsibilities of archival programs in universities and colleges, churches, businesses and other private organizations in Canada with comparisons to similar programs in other countries.
5. Understand the evolution of the responsibilities, values, and culture of the archival profession as a means of assessing its role in contemporary society.

Content:

1. The evolution of mandate, functions, and structure of Canadian public archives and the "total archives" concept in comparison with public archives in other countries.
2. The origins and development of archival programs in educational institutions, churches, businesses, and other private organizations in comparison with similar programs in other countries.
3. Contemporary Canadian archival institutions: their governance, principal policies, programs, and challenges in comparison with institutions in other countries.
4. The roles of national and regional archival organizations: the Canadian Council of Archives, regional councils of archives, and professional organizations.
5. International and national archival organizations outside Canada 6)The archival profession: its history, organization, responsibilities, values, and role in contemporary society.