Bachelor of Arts Honours in Archives and Records Management

Communication Studies and Language - Information Studies

Purpose and Rationale

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Archives and Records Management ensures learners develop effective, efficient, and innovative archives and records management practices. South Africa needs learners who will be able to engage in the following:

Digital preservation.
Sound archival repository management and information security.
Guardians of authenticity.

This qualification will have a significant impact on the competency of practitioners in archives and records management in South Africa and beyond. The qualification will strengthen the capacity of archivists and records managers in the field. Learners completing this specialization will critically solve problems in their vocation and integrate issues such as transformation, globalization, new technologies, and other archive and record concerns in their workplace and field. These include trending issues related to data curatorship, information and knowledge governance, and archival diplomatic and digital records forensics as dynamics in the growing field of archives and records management. Professionals in the field will have the relevant knowledge, skills, and values to remain abreast with changes in archives and records management practices, despite rapid technological advances.

Rationale

The rationale for this qualification is to allow learners to advance their careers in archives and records management. Recent developments in the current information and knowledge economy have had an impact on the archival field. Therefore, this qualification offers learners an opportunity to keep abreast with these developments, with special emphasis in the areas of:

Information and knowledge governance.
Archival diplomatics and digital records forensics.
Data curatorship and management.
Research in archives and records management.
A research report in archives and records management.

The qualification basis is on information about the library environment, rather than specifically focusing on the fields of archives and records management. In 2015, sessions with local and international stakeholders from the industry took place to determine the curriculum for this qualification. Local stakeholders including, the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA), the South African Society of Archivists (SASA), archivists, and record managers from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Austria, academics from Higher Education Institutions, and learners. International stakeholders included the University of Northumbria, United Kingdom, University of British Columbia, Canada (leaders in the field of archives and records management), and the East and Southern Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA). Discussions indicated that there is a gap that needs to be filled to improve the skills of archivists and record managers in Africa. Qualified practitioners in this field will provide the much-needed leadership and guidance in companies, government institutions, and academic institutions where employment within South Africa, Africa, and internationally is possible. Job opportunities for such learners may include archivists, record managers, data curators, information security officers, knowledge managers, and others. The qualification allows learners to vertically articulate to the Master in Information Science, which is a qualification at NQF Level 9.

Outcomes

Manage functions and services related to archives and records management in the digital environment.
Implement and monitor information and knowledge governance according to set legislation, standards or policies on the management of information.
Relate to and identify challenges concerning data curation and management, with regards to digital records.
Solve problems of archives and records management in the digital environment.
Apply digital records forensics concepts and archival diplomatics to the management and preservation of digital records.
Use appropriate research methodologies to conduct a research project relating to aspects concerning archives and records management.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Identification and Explanation of Relevant Concepts: Identify and explain relevant and appropriate concepts related to digital records in various types of information systems, applications, and media.
Explanation of Digital Documentary Evidence: Explain the nature, function, use, and values of digital documentary evidence and contextualize it.
Exploration and Analysis of Legislation: Thoroughly explore and analyze legislation impacting the admissibility of digital records as evidence in South Africa, Africa, and globally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Importance of Information Policy: Describe the importance of information policy, including how organizations access, acquire, store, use, disseminate, and dispose of information.
Comparison of Information Policies: Assess and compare different information policies from various work environments for appropriateness.
Necessity and Awareness of Information Policies: Analyze the necessity for information policies in the workplace and demonstrate a strategy to raise awareness.
Information Security Discussion: Discuss information security in organizations, demonstrating awareness of risks and strategies to manage them using appropriate technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Evaluation of Digital Technology Development: Evaluate the development of digital technology by analyzing multiple perspectives.
Data Management Principles: Describe how systems are utilized for data management, including evaluative management principles.
Literature Review and Data Curatorship: Review literature on data management and curatorship, identifying key figures and summarizing their arguments with correct referencing.
Data Curation Analysis: Differentiate between digital curation and adding value to digital research data, providing clear arguments and examples.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Explanation and Analysis of Digital Records Admissibility: Explain and analyze the admissibility of digital records as evidence in various institutions.
Security of Digital Record Systems: Identify and explain the security measures for digital record systems.
Case Study on Digital Records: Explore a case study on the use of digital records, analyzing their form, formation, and consequences.
Elements of Digital Records: Explain extrinsic and intrinsic elements of digital records and explore different storage options.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Explanation of Archival Diplomatics: Explain the origin, nature, and purpose of archival diplomatics.
Application of Archival Diplomatics: Analyze a case study applying archival diplomatics to digital records in an organization.
Digital Records Authenticity Analysis: Analyze methods of archival diplomatics and digital forensics in determining the authenticity of digital records.
Solutions for Maintaining Authenticity: Explore solutions for maintaining the authenticity of digital records, including concepts of reliability, authenticity, and integrity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Importance of Literature Review: Discuss and evaluate the importance of the literature review in scientific research.
Research Paradigms and Methods: Evaluate research paradigms, approaches, designs, and methods in conducting scientific research.
Research Problem Consideration: Demonstrate consideration for the key research question and/or hypothesis in scientific research.
Research Design Sketches: Emphasize the need for appropriate research methodology in the research design.
Data Collection Instrument Evaluation: Compare and evaluate data collection instruments for research in archival and records management.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative and Summative Assessment: Utilize a range of assessment approaches in online modules.
Capstone Research Project Module: Engage in a capstone research project to collectively address all Exit Level Outcomes.
Technology Use and Research Implementation: Efficiently use technology to plan and implement a research project resulting in a research report.
Information Governance and Digital Forensics: Interpret and apply policies and legislation regarding information governance and use digital forensics concepts to investigate the authenticity of digital records.
Data Curation and Management Participation: Participate in data curation or data management projects.

Qualification Details

Type: Honours Degree
NQF Level: 08
Min. Credits: 120
SAQA Source: More Information

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UNISA

UNISA, short for the University of South Africa, is a distance education institution based in South Africa. It is the largest university on the African continent and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields of study. UNISA provides flexible learning options, allowing students to study at their own pace and from anywhere in the world. The university is known for its commitment to providing accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population. UNISA also conducts research and collaborates with other institutions to contribute to the development of knowledge and skills in South Africa and beyond.

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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.