Course Catalogue

Introduction to Digital Curation INFOST5016

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course gives students an appreciation of the management, curation & preservation of digital materials. Particular attention will be given to the application of theory to practice.

Timetable

Weekly teaching sessions, normally totalling 10 x 1 hour lectures, 10 x 1 hour seminars, 10 x 1 hour practical classes.

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College Level

Excluded Courses

ARTMED5021

INFOSTUD5020

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Written report or essay - 50% essay

■ Project - 50%

■ Together these will comprise approx., 5,000 words.

 

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

■ There is no alternative to the report or essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the project, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (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.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Examine core considerations in the creation, management, curation, and preservation of digital materials. It cuts across academic, public and private sectors to introduce students to a working knowledge of:

■ Characterise the authenticity, integrity and reliability of digital materials

■ Underpin the development of policies, and, the role of standards and practices that support the management, curation and preservation of data, information and knowledge;

■ Process information systems designed to ensure the long term accessibility of digital materials;

■ Use digital technologies to create and manage digital materials; and,

■ Transition from the analogue to the digital has on management, curation, and preservation of digital materials.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ recognise the nature of digital information;

■ summarise the challenges posed by technology (e.g. media, system, software, format) obsolescence;

■ formulate the concepts and issues surrounding authenticity, integrity, and reliability in relation to digital information;

■ construct approaches for analysing and describing information systems;

■ differentiate and contrast the techniques and practices that underlie digital curation;

■ assess the impact that automation has had on archival theory and practice

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions