<center><strong>HIST 2802 – HISTORY LABORATORY</strong>
Spring 2011
1 semester-hour credit
Independent Study/Service-Learning Experience</center>&nbsp;

<strong>INSTRUCTORS</strong>

<strong></strong>Sarah Copeland, Records Catalog Coordinator

Bryan Reed, Associate Professor of History

<strong>COURSE DESCRIPTION</strong>

This course allows students to be involved in a service learning experience at an area museum, archive, historical society, or other historical collection. The course is designed to expose students to the practice of researching, digitizing, and preserving historical artifacts. Students will complete 20 hours of service during the semester. (Co-requisite: HIST 2010, 2020, or 2030)

<strong>LEARNING OUTCOMES</strong>
<ol>
	<li>demonstrate appropriate handling of unique historical materials</li>
	<li>describe the public role of institutions charged with preserving historical materials</li>
	<li>create digital versions of historical documents using best practices</li>
	<li>describe digitized documents using the Dublin Core metadata scheme</li>
	<li>publish newly digitized materials to the Southeast Tennessee Digital Archive (SETDA) using CONTENTdm, a tool for managing digital collections and publishing them on the world wide web</li>
	<li>demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning</li>
</ol>
<strong>REFERENCED READINGS/RESOURCES</strong>
<ol>
	<li>“Digital Imaging Tutorial,” Cornell University Library, http://www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/tutorial/contents.html</li>
	<li>“Digital Preservation Management Tutorial,” Cornell University and the National Endowment for the Humanities, http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/dpm/dpm-eng/eng_index.html</li>
	<li>“Digital Best Practices,” Washington State Library, http://digitalwa.statelib.wa.gov/newsite/best.htm</li>
</ol>
<strong>WHAT COUNTS TOWARD MY 20 “SERVICE LEARNING” HOURS?</strong>

There are four tasks that you will undertake in this course: (1) scanning documents, (2) researching the background of those documents, (3) turning your research into “description,” and (4) uploading your documents and description to the CONTENTdm database. Tasks 1 and 2 will count toward your 20 service learning hours. Tasks 3 and 4 are your homework.

<strong>ASSESSMENTS</strong>

Learning outcomes will be assessed through the following tools:
Student’s notebook (journal/log) = 100 points
Instructor’s evaluation of research = 100 points
On-site supervisor’s evaluation = 100 points
Digital submissions to SETDA = 100 points

There are 400 points possible in this course based upon the assessment tools. The grading scale is
A = 360-400 points
B = 320-359 points
C = 280-319 points
D = 240-279 points
F = below 240 points

<strong>JOURNAL/LOG</strong>

Students are required to maintain a notebook where they will log their scanning and research sessions and reflect on their service-learning experience. The notebook should also be used to keep research notes. Notebooks must be brought to every service learning session; entries must be recorded for the session attended. Each entry should include the date and time of both arrival and departure, followed by a thoughtful reflection of your experience. The following questions can help guide your journaling:
<ul>
	<li>How does what you are doing compare to your prior expectations?</li>
	<li>What is the historical significance of the artifacts processed? How are they useful in our understanding of the past?</li>
	<li>How does your work contribute to the institution where you are completing your service-learning hours? How does your work impact the community?</li>
</ul>
Notebooks will be collected for examination periodically during the semester. Students may elect to produce a blog with approval of the instructor at the beginning of the course.

<strong>ON-SITE SUPERVISOR EVALUATION</strong>

Your supervisor at the institution where you complete your service learning hours will submit an evaluation at the end of the semester. This evaluation will measure your performance in the following areas: professional conduct, quality of work, and contributive effort.

<strong>DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS</strong>

Students will submit digitized images and descriptive metadata for publication in the Southeast Tennessee Digital Archive. These will be evaluated by the instructors before publication online, and students will receive feedback throughout the course as they contribute digital items. Students will identify the five digital submissions that represent their best work. Ms. Copeland will assess these five submissions according to the archival standards and preservation procedures covered in this class. (The same 5 submissions will be reviewed by Professor Reed for the quality of background research, as described below.) Each digital submission is worth 20 points and will be evaluated for digitization quality, descriptive accuracy, correct application of the tools in CONTENTdm, spelling and grammar.

<strong>INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION</strong>

Professor Reed will evaluate the quality of your research at the end of the semester. This evaluation will be based on the five digital submissions that represent your best work. (The same 5 submissions will be reviewed by Ms. Copeland, as described above.) Each digital submission is worth 20 points and will be evaluated for quality and integration of source material, historical interpretation, descriptive accuracy, and spelling/grammar.

<strong>ATTENDANCE</strong>

Each student is expected to attend and be on time for each training and service learning session. Because of the nature of this course, attendance is critical toward preparing for and executing the service learning. More than one unexcused absence from a scheduled training of service learning session will have a significant adverse effect on your evaluation. Failure to complete the obligations of your service learning assignment in a timely and professional manner will cause substantial deductions from your overall grade. If a scheduled session cannot be met you must notify the institution and instructor(s) in advance. You are also responsible for rescheduling your missed session in consultation with your on-site supervisor.