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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

300311 v.6 Records Management and Archives Stream


Major/Stream Overview

This major/stream is part of a larger course. Information is specific to the major/stream, please refer to the course for more information.


This stream introduces professional principles, attitudes and skills necessary to obtain a recognised professional qualification in this field.


Professional Recognition

This stream is recognised by the Records Management Association and the Australian Society of Archivists.



Major/Stream Organisation

Major/Stream Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. understand the disciplines of records management and archives, their theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional approaches; understand and apply in practice established and developing knowledge and professional practice; extend the boundaries of knowledge through academic research and have developed a commitment to continuing research, both work-based and academic;

2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions to records management and archival issues;

3. understand the nature of information and how information is created, organised, distributed and used in the records and archives sectors; apply best practice in servicing the needs of information users; locate and evaluate information resources and manage collections effectively;

4. communicate appropriately with information users and colleagues; assess the information needs of information user groups in the records management and archives sectors;

5. assess the impact of emerging technologies on the work of the records management and archives professional; learn the technologies relevant to information creation, organisation, dissemination and use; decide on appropriate applications and systems for specific information service needs;

6. apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity; develop a commitment to professional research and publication within the records management and archives sectors;

7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to the professional practice of records management and archives;

8. recognise individual human rights, including rights of free access to information; appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when disseminating information to diverse user groups; value diversity of language and how this may be fostered in services offered by records management and archives professionals;

9. apply as appropriate the professional skills of records managers, corporate information managers, archivists and other information professionals; work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership; understand and demonstrate professional behaviour; understand issues in the ethical use of information and demonstrate how ethical practices may be followed in the workplace; understand and apply major tools for information organisation, metadata creation and indexing and recordkeeping throughout the continuum to ensure efficiency and compliance


Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
11210 v.5   Information Design 503 3.0 25.0
12157 v.5   Archives Concepts and Practice 523 3.0 25.0
12158 v.5   Recordkeeping Concepts and Practice 521 3.0 25.0
12442 v.5   Technologies for Information Services 501 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
12159 v.6   Knowledge Management Principles 533 2.0 25.0
12162 v.6   Management of Recordkeeping and Archives Services 522 3.0 25.0
12163 v.5   Enterprise Content Management 524 3.0 25.0
12446 v.5 *   Information Theory and Research 502 2.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
12444 v.4   Collection Management 512 3.0 25.0
12445 v.5   Resource Description and Access 514 3.0 25.0
306350 v.3   Knowledge Auditing 534 25.0
306349 v.2   Internet Content Management 531 25.0
12161 v.7   Conservation and Preservation 525 25.0
312762 v.1   Special and One Person Libraries 595 25.0
312761 v.1   History of the Book 596 3.0 25.0
12184 v.7   Public Librarianship 541 1.0 25.0
306554 v.2   Digital Libraries 535 25.0
309568 v.2   Information Literacy 543 25.0
313694 v.2   Advanced Discipline Project 691 50.0
313695 v.2   Advanced Discipline Project 692 50.0

*    Includes professional work experience for a total of three weeks full time.





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