BIBV3060 Themes in Library, Archives and Museums: An Exploration of Practice Course description

This course is based on a series of visits to libraries, archives and/or museums that is connected to a preselected theme. The theme is chosen in consultation with the course supervisor and the series of visits are determined by and related to that theme. Students may select themes related to services and programming, policies and guidelines, collections, knowledge organization and management practices, universal design, dissemination practices as well as current issues and other matters relevant to the institutions. The visits can be to libraries, archives or museums, or various combinations of the three. Other information and culture institutions may be included if relevant to the selected theme. Visits are generally based on meeting with relevant staff members at the organizations as well as the students' own informal observations. Students shall compile a reading list of 800 pages related to the selected theme. 

The language of the course is dependent upon the students and can be in English or Norwegian.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the pertinent literature and scholarly research concerning the selected theme
• has familiarity with the related legal and policy documents related to the theme
• has determined relevant concepts, models and/or theories related to the theme
• has awareness and understanding of ethical considerations related to the theme
• has insight to current practices at libraries or other information and culture-disseminating organizations related to the theme

Skills

The student

• can apply the skills and knowledge from their previous courses in Library and Information Science
• can search for, synthesize, critically analyze and correctly reference source material(s)
• can critically assess the connection between theory, policy and practice related to a selected theme within the field of libraries and librarianship or archival studies

General Skills

The student

• can initiate, organize, carry out and communicate a project
• can plan, write and complete a project report to an academic standard
• can communicate professionally and coordinate with professionals in the field

The course is based on independent study.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Assignment 1: An overview of the student's chosen theme and their selection of libraries, archives, and/or museums to visit (pass/fail). 
• Assignment 2: A proposed reading list of 800 pages (pass/fail).
• Assignment 3: A preliminary draft of term paper (pass/fail)
• Assignment 4: A 20-minute oral presentation of the final report (pass/fail).

The required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version once by the given deadline.

The final assessment is a term paper on the selected topic. Students use sources from their individually compiled reading lists as well as their visits to libraries, archives and/or museums as the basis for the paper. The paper can be written individually or in a group of two students.    

The paper must have a scope of 30,000-40,000 characters including spacing. Font and font size: Arial/ Calibri 12pkt. Line spacing: 1.5. Students shall attach their compiled reading list of 800 pages. The paper may include non-textual materials (e.g., photographs and other visual materials).  References and non-textual materials are not included in the total number of characters. 

Students who receive a failing grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the term paper for assessment.

The student may choose English or Norwegian as examination language.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale A-F.

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers

Jamie Johnston