MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice

This course unit aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of theories, principles, standards, and concepts which guides and regulates archives and records and information management practices within the public sector and corporate organisations as well as cultural institutions including galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM). 

The module will explore the evolution of record-keeping systems spanning the past three centuries. It will delve into various facets of records management practise, including topics like records appraisal, disaster planning, and management techniques tailored for professionals in the field of record-keeping and collection management. 

The course unit will give a special focus on the area of core principles and concepts in records and information management; records creation, capture, and classification; records and information storage and retrieval systems; records preservation and disposal; emerging trends and best practices in information and records management including the legal and regulatory framework for management of information asset. 

The course will also discuss strategies for collaboration among information professionals and other allied professionals including information literacy and digital collection management in libraries. 

The scope of activity in this course unit comprises of lectures and seminars, classroom discussion, case studies as well as formal and informal feedback, plus a one-day experience-based-study trip to a leading organization in the records management industry within Manchester. Teaching will take place at the University’s main campus and occasionally at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library to engage and interact with records-and-information-management professionals.

• Provide students with a comprehensive foundation, in-depth knowledge, and understanding of the basic concepts, principles, strategies, and theories that underpin archives, records management practice, and information governance and compliance.
• Explore current discussions regarding records management practices and its connections to concepts such as good governance, accountability, data protection and sensitivity.  
• Develop a fundamental understanding of the legal framework which guides and regulates archive, records management and information governance and compliance within the local and international contexts.  
• Equip students with relevant skills and knowledge of legal frameworks, regulations, and ethical guidance governing the creation, management, and disposal of information assets across the public sector and corporate organisations including cultural institutions.

The indicative syllabus for this course unit are as follows: 

Introduction to Records and Information Management (RIM) Week 1 - Understanding RIM

Week 2 - Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

Week 3 - Core Principles

Week 4 - Metadata and Taxonomy

Week 5 - Records Creation and Capture

Week 6: Records-Management Organization Study Trip

Week 7 - Storage Solutions

Week 8 - Retrieval and Access

Week 9 - Preservation Techniques

Week 10 - Disposal and Retention Policies

Week 11 - Information security and risk management

Week 12 - Technology Trends, Best Practices, and Case Studies
 

The teaching and learning for this core course will be covered within 12-week period. The scope of activity will involve an active and engaging teaching method which will primarily include lectures and seminars, classroom discussion, case studies as well as formal and informal feedback. Such a learning environment will foster intellectual curiosity, encourage collaboration, and support the students in their quest for knowledge and personal growth.  

It will also include a one-day experience-based-study trip to visit a leading organization in the records management industry within Manchester, where the students will be exposed to invaluable insights and practical knowledge on contemporary Information and records management practise. This activity will provide them with practical application of their learning. 

Lectures and seminar activities will be within the university’s main campus. and on a few occasions a visit to the university’s archives and records management office where the student will have the opportunity to engage and interact with informational Management professionals who will be invited for talks during class sessions.  

Each session will be highly interactive and engaging in nature and give every student the opportunity to feel free to ask questions. This is to encourage diversity and inclusivity, develop transferable skills, and encourage open communication. This teaching method will provide opportunities for group discussions and interaction during class sessions and seminars. This approach will help to ensure that students not only learn the course material but also develop strong communication and interpersonal skills that are essential to success in their roles.

At the end of the teaching weeks, students will be assessed with two separate summative essays of which the first will carry 40% percent weighting and the second assessment will be 60%. This is to test their knowledge and full understanding of what they have learned. 

• Conduct a critical assessment of the nature, relevance, and scope of local and international laws, legislation, and guidance concerning information and records management in the public sector, corporate information governance, and cultural institutions.  
• Develop proven skills and knowledge in the creation, analysis, maintenance storage, and retrieval, as well as good disposal of Information, archives, and records within any organizational system, in line with organization policies and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.  
• Gain the basic skills and in-depth knowledge necessary to progress in careers as knowledge and Information Management professionals both in corporate and public sector organisations including in libraries, archives as well as cultural institutions. 

• Employ intellectual abilities necessary to enhance students’ critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, necessary for analysing and evaluating records and information, managing legal and regulatory requirements as well as ethical issues concerning records and information management within an organisational setting.
• Engage in discussions regarding the importance of sensitive information and how to manage legal and regulatory requirements including privacy issues associated with the creation, use, management, and disposal of information across various types of organisations.
• Develop research skills to identify best practices, legal and regulatory requirements, and industry standards concerning archives, records management, information governance, and compliance.  

• Apply relevant practical skills needed to effectively organize, classify, manage, and dispose records throughout their lifecycle. They will also gain techniques for efficient document storage, retention, retrieval, and disposal, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop the ability and practical skills to perform duties in data governance, information security, and data protection, and establish and enforce policies, procedures, and standards to guide the creation, use, management, and security of information within any organizational setting.  
• Gain practical skills necessary to navigate strategies, policies, and procedures of legal and regulatory requirements concerning records management and information governance. This will provide the students with skills needed to effectively carry out monitoring and assessing compliance and conducting audits in any work environment. 

• Provide advice on the implementation of information and records management good practices, processes, and policies within any organisational setting.
• Develop effective written and verbal communication skills to be able to engage with different stakeholders and audiences in a work environment.  
• Students will develop a strong sense of responsibility in handling sensitive information and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in any work environment.  
• Develop the ability to adapt to new tools, strategies, methodologies, and best practices in managing archive records and information management. 

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