11597 - Archive Administration (1)

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Docente: Chiara Reatti
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: M-STO/08
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Humanities (cod. 8850)

    Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in History (cod. 0962)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student will know the basics of general archival and archival organization in Italy; be able to apply the theoretical principles and the basic methodology necessary for the archivist presiding over the training, organization, conservation and dissemination of the documentary heritage. They will know how to use both archival and on-line archival techniques with precision and accuracy, as required for management of the documentation produced and collected in various specific institutions, and will also know how to apply the main methods and tools for researching information and archival material, as well as applying the tools of historical analysis necessary for cataloguing, appraising, disseminating and conserving the historical and cultural heritage. They will be capable of collecting, selecting and logically organizing complex data and information, enabling them to formulate independent conclusions and opinions. They will organize information logically and outline it with methodological rigour, care and precision.

Course contents

Introduction to archiving and basic concepts;
History of the archival discipline and history of archives;
The archive and its subdivisions: current, deposit and historical;
Methods of documentary organization;
Description and consultation tools;
Standards, recommendations and guidelines;
Organization and tasks of the italian archival administration;
Special archives (personal, religious, business, political, etc.;
Principles of archival legislation in Italy;
Access and consultation;
Safeguarding of documentation;
The archivist profession;
Archives, information technology and telematics;

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students:
- P. CARUCCI - M. GUERCIO, Manuale di archivistica, Roma, Carocci, 2008;
- I. ZANNI ROSIELLO, Gli archivi nella società contemporanea, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009;
- Dispense, saggi e articoli distribuiti a lezione.

Non-attending students:
in addition to the two texts indicated for attending students, a text chosen from:
- Archivistica. Teorie, metodi, pratiche, a cura di L. GIUVA-M. GUERCIO, Roma, Carocci, 2014, in part. i capitoli 1, 5, 6, 7, 14
- F. VALACCHI, Diventare archivisti, Milano, Bibliografica, 2015
- M.P. DONATO, L'archivio del mondo, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 2019
- P. CARUCCI, Le fonti archivistiche. Ordinamento e conservazione, Roma, Carocci, (qualsiasi ed.)

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons; direct examinations and practice with use of tools for archival research, both on paper and online.
Educational visits to archives may be planned, as well as seminars concerning the topics covered in class.

In the event that the COVID19 emergency continues, the University may establish alternative methods (eg: distance learning).

Assessment methods

Oral exam

Attending students: questions aimed to verify the knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed during the lectures, as well as the study of indicated textbooks.

Non-attending students: questions that aim to verify the understanding of the topics covered in the textbooks indicated in the exam program.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides and specific material will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Reatti