LIS 441 Appraisal of Archives and Manuscripts
Archival appraisal, or the assessment and evaluation of archival records to determine their continuing value for permanent retention, is one of the central and most critical challenges and responsibilities of the archivist. Building on the introductory exposure to appraisal offered in LIS 438, this course will focus on developing a theoretical framework for appraisal. It will introduce students to the theories and methodologies of appraisal and will explore appraisal models developed and implemented within the profession. It will place the issues and activities within the context of the documentation of society and the preservation of organizational and community memory. Prerequisite: LIS 438.