Course Catalogue

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Heritage and Cultural Informatics examines the application of information and communication technologies in the heritage sector. In this course we will explore the work of organisations which act to conserve, preserve, and improve access to our cultural and natural heritage.

1x1hr lecture; 1x1hr practical session per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Information Studies and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Digital Media and Information Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

INFOSTUD4009 Heritage and Cultural Informatics

INFOSTUD5016 Heritage and Cultural Informatics

None

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (3,500 words) - 60%  

■ Report (1,500 words) - 40%. 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ explore the content held by heritage institutions and the special problems and opportunities which it poses to the application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT);

■ debate the current and future uses of ICT in libraries, archives, and museums;

■ develop a familiarity with the technologies, and the information and technical standards (eg EAD, Spectrum, Dublin Core) used in heritage institutions;

■ investigate the impact of ICT on the focus and objectives of heritage institutions;

■ appreciate the role and impact of ICT on heritage users (e.g. researchers, general public, students at all levels from primary school onwards).

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ explain the general issues related to the implementation of Information and Communications Technology within arts and heritage-based institutions;

■ select appropriate standards and applications to meet needs in libraries, museums, and archives for resource management, public outreach, and collection development;

■ evaluate heritage information systems at front-end, formative, and summative stages;

■ summarize the issues of rights management and project management;

■ explain the relationship between digital content, heritage holdings, and the needs of users.