ARKV3000 Digitization - method of conservation and accessibility Course description

Digitization is a method of conservation and increased accessibility. More about aims and contents.The definition of the term digitization is the transformation of analog information to digital code. The transformation can be done from whatever form. Digitization becomes easier and acts as a catalyst in the transition from analog to digital. The purpose of this course is to describe and analyze the theory and method of digitization.

None.

Knowledge

The student should have

• good knowledge of digitization activities in archives, libraries and museums
• insights into the theoretical and methodological questions regarding digitization and access to artefacts
• understanding of the central role of format management in digitization
• understanding of problems and approaches to methods of conveying information and having a good knowledge of the reasons for digitization in the rear-view mirror of history
• understanding of issues related to the selection and method of digitization and publishing as a means of increasing accessibility
• insights into various search tools as an important part of all digitization projects

Skills

The student can

• discuss digitization as part of a strategic project for conservation and increased accessibility
• identify user groups as a basis for selecting what to digitize
• analyse and evaluate method for selecting artefacts to be digitized

General competences

The student can

• develop a plan for digitization projects
• describe and analyse ethical challenges associated with the digitization of artefacts in archives, libraries and museums

The work shifts between lectures, discussions, self-tuition, group work and workshops.

None.

Students must submit two obligatory assignments. The two assignments will have to be carried out during the semester:

1. A group work that runs throughout the semester. The group work should have a range of about 10 pages (23,000 characters including spaces).
2. An individual home exam which should be approximately 7-9 pages (20,000 characters including spaces).

The two parts are graded separately. Both parts of the exam must be approved to complete the course. Group work gives 30 percent and home exam 70 percent of the overall and final evaluation of the subject.

A student who does not meet the requirements for approved or has a valid reason for his/her absence at home exam may produce a new examination opportunity for parts not approved. A student who has not passed his/her home exam can deliver a revised version at a given time.

All examination support materials are permitted. However, sources must be stated in accordance with applicable rules for source references.

A graduated scale from A-F.

An internal and external review is performed for some of the tasks. A selection of 25% of the portfolios will have an external examiner. The grades assigned to the portfolios that have been assessed by an external examiner form the basis for determining the level of assessing the other portfolios.

Lars-Erik Hansen