MA Library and Archive Studies / Course details

This course unit aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of legal and practical aspects of information governance and regulatory compliance practise in our contemporary time. It explores the legal frameworks, ethical considerations, and best practices that influence the management of information asset by public sector and corporate organizations including collections in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums.

In this course, students will explore the fundamental principles of information governance and compliance, focusing on the legal obligations and responsibilities of organizations in managing data and information assets. They will equally gain insights into the legal requirements for management of public and business records including privacy, data protection, copyright and intellectual property, freedom of information and electronic discovery.

The course will explore key concepts such as data sovereignty, data retention, data minimization, and data subject rights, and understand how these concepts impact the collection and management of information within organizations. Additionally, this course explores the practical applications of information governance and collections in different sectors such as healthcare, finance, government, and e-commerce. Students will examine case studies and real-world scenarios to analyse the challenges and complexities faced by organizations in implementing effective information governance strategies.  

The course will also give a special focus on areas of copyright, data protection, freedom of information, public records legislation, open data, and the reuse of public sector information within both national and international contexts. Additionally, it will provide an overview of corporate governance and regulatory requirements for managing business records, highlighting their connections with recordkeeping.  

Furthermore, this course unit will address contemporary international practise, evaluations and comparative analyses of data protection and freedom of information legal frameworks, drawing comparisons among the UK, European nations, and other countries. It will also equip students with the skills needed to conduct risk assessments and provide assurance within corporate organizations while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and laws in the context of information governance practices.  

The scope of activity for this course unit will comprise 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 Greater 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 management and information governance and compliance practitioners. 

The unit aims to:  

• Provide students with a comprehensive foundation, in-depth knowledge, and understanding of the basic concepts, principles, strategies, and theories that underpin information governance and compliance.
• Develop a fundamental understanding of the legal framework which guides and regulates archive, information governance and compliance within the local and international contexts.  
• Enhance students' analytical and critical thinking abilities by thoroughly examining relevant legislation, conventions, and case law.  
• Nurture critical thinking and problem-solving skills and promote independent learning in the students.  

The indicative syllabus for this course unit are as follows:

Week 1: Introduction of course

Conceptual definitions of archives, records management, information, governance, and compliance as well as an overview of the development of record-keeping systems and theories and the emergence of information governance. A review of how the roles of archivists and records professionals have been defined historically and how they have changed recently.  

Week 2: Records and the Law

Introduction to legal issues and important legislations within the UK and international context for managing of information, archives, and records. Statutory recordkeeping for business and public records legislation. Regulatory drivers for business recordkeeping including company law, tax law, employment law, quality and industrial standards and health and safety law. An overview of the Public Record Office Act 1838, Public Records Act 1958, Public Records Act 1967, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Week 3: Records and Public Authorities

Records Management Plans and Policy; Public Records; Agreements of Plans, Review of Plans; Record Management Review, Action Notices; Model for Records Management Plans; Guidance of Records; No Right of Action, Records retention and Disclosure Archiving and transfer arrangements and Closed Archival records; Record progress review update. Freedom of Information Electronic Document and Records Management System.  

Week 4: Data Protection Regulation and Freedom of Information 1

UK law, compliance, and data protection in archives as well as data protection and privacy legislation worldwide. It also discusses the European Convention on Human Rights Articles, common law of confidentiality, information access regimes, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Week 5: Data Protection Regulation and Freedom of Information 2

Privacy management in archives and the records management field, generally, public sector information and the statutory right to public assess as well as the regulatory requirements for archivists, records managers, and compliance officers.

Week 6: Transparency, Freedom of Information, and Archives

Definitions of key freedom of information concepts. Exploration of the freedom of information laws and regulations in force in the UK, the EU, and across the globe, the legal roles of archivists and record managers in Freedom of Information compliance.  

Week 7: Sensitivity Checking of Government Records

Understanding archives, records, sensitivity, digital sensitivity, and legal perspectives on sensitivity (UK context).  Introduction to digital vs. paper records sensitivity and technically assisted review (TAR). Fundamentals of transparent and gradated acces

The teaching and learning for this elective course will be covered within 12-weeks 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.  

Lectures and seminar activities will be within the university’s main campus. On a few occasions, the students will have the opportunity to engage and interact with information management professionals who will be invited for talks during class sessions.  

The students will be provided with a comprehensive reading list and lesson slides to prepare in advance for class and be ready to engage in classroom discussions on contemporary records management practise, policies, and procedures, as well as information governance, practise within the UK and international context. Also, the students will undertake a formative class exercise like oral presentations or group class task to showcase their in-depth understanding of course. This will create an inclusive and engaging atmosphere and help the students develop good communication skills.

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. 

Lead and support the development and implementation of Information Security and Assurance policies, and procedures and provide strategic information security advise to stakeholders within an organisation.

Gain the relevant 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.  

To develop critical thinking and analytical skills to assess legal risks and compliance issues related to information governance and collections and support the development of policies, standards, guidelines, and monitoring procedures for information governance and compliance in the organizations. 

Employ intellectual abilities necessary to enhance students’ critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, necessary for analysing and evaluating records, collections, and information asset, managing legal and regulatory requirements as well as ethical issues concerning records and information management within an organisational setting.

Engage in debate and 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 the intellectual ability necessary for addressing organisational challenges, through research to identify best practices, legal and regulatory requirements, and industry standards concerning archives, records management, information governance, and compliance. And enhance student’s communication skills, thereby developing good interpersonal skills necessary to engage with stakeholders and staff within organisational setting. 

Apply relevant practical skills needed to effectively carry out monitoring and assessing compliance and conducting audits in any work environment, 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.  

Provide advice on the implementation of information governance and compliance 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.  
 

Written feedback on timed essay.

Written feedback on clearance report essay, assignments.

Instant verbal feedback in seminar discussions and group class exercise.

Alan Maclennan (2014) Information Governance and Assurance: reducing risk, promoting policy, Facet Publishing, London.

Barber, S. (2012) ‘Who owns knowledge? Heritage, intellectual property and access in and to the history of Antigua and Barbuda,’ Archival Science, pp. 1-17  

Bergstrom, E., Lundgren,M. and Erison, A.(2019), “Revisiting information security risk management challenges: a practices perspective’, Information and Computer Security, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 358-372

Crockett, M., ‘A Practitioner’s Guide to the Freedom of Information Act 2000,’ in Journal of the Society of Archivists (now Archives and Records), Volume 30, Issue 2, October 2009, pages 191-225.  

Deazley, R. (2017) ‘Copyright 101: Exceptions to Copyright’ in Copyright and Digital Cultural Heritage, available at https://copyrightcortex.org/copyright-101/chapter-7  

Elin, Phyllis L. and Rapaport, Max, A Government Librarian’s Guide to Information Governance and Data Privacy. Business Expert Press, 2022. Internet resources

Elizabeth Shepherd (2006). ‘Why are records in the public sector organisational assets’, Records Management Journal, 16, Issue (1), pp. 6-12  

Elizabeth Lomas, (2010) "Information governance: information security and access within a UK context", Records Management Journal, Vol. 20 Issue: 2, pp.182-198, https://doi.org/10.1108/09565691011064322  

Elizabeth Shepherd, Alice Stevenson & Andrew Flinn (2009) The Impact of Freedom of Information on Records Management and Record Use in Local Government: A Literature Review, Journal of the Society of Archivists, 30:2, 227-248, DOI: 10.1080/00379810903445000  

Flinn, A, and Jones, H, (2009) Freedom of information: open access, empty archives? London Routledge

Hackett, T. (2015) ‘Time for a single global copyright framework for libraries and archives,’ WIPO Magazine6:2015, available at: http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2015/06/article_0002.html  

Information Commissioner’s Office, The Guide to Freedom Of Information (2015), available here: https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/guide-to-freedom-of-information-4-5.pdf

Jim Whitman, Julie McLeod & Catherine Hare (2001) BIAP: Balancing Information Access and Privacy, Journal of the Society of Archivists, 22:2, 253-274, DOI: 10.1080/00379810120081190  

Kooper, M. N., Maes, R., & Roos Lindgreen, E. E. O.(2011). "On the governance of information: Introducing a new concept of governance to support the management of information." International Journal of Information Management, 31(3), 195-200  

Lacovino, L., and Todd, M., “The long-term preservation of identifiable personal data: a comparative archival perspective