School of Information Management & Systems
  Previously School of Library & Information Studies

  Infosys 142 Access to American Cultural Heritages.   Fall97.
  3 credits.   CCN#42703.   Tu & Th 2-3:30p.m.   105 Dwinelle.

Instructor: Michael Buckland.   203A South Hall.     (510) 642 3159. buckland@sims.berkeley.edu    Office hours: Tu 3:30-4:30 & Th 11-noon.
Tutor: Janice Woo. jwoo@sims.berkeley.edu

Do museums have attitudes? Are libraries neutral? Who owns the excavated bones? Who is trying to shape your sense of identity? We are surrounded by publicly presented information about who we are, how we should regard ourselves, and how we should regard others. There are large vested interests in people's sense of cultural, ethnic, and national identity. Info 142 is an informal introduction to issues in the preservation, representation and use of tangible forms of cultural heritage, especially in the U.S.A.   Overview.   Why take this course?
The Schedule lists handouts.   Binder of course materials on MOFFITT Reserve 333.   Readings.
Assignments: 1. Find "Culture".   2. Ethnic groups.   3. Social aspects of naming.   4. Hearst Museum.
5. Portfolio.   1995 portfolio topics.   6. Other exhibit.   7. Interview.
Exercises:   1. MELVYL.   2. E-mail.   3. WWW.   4. "Me and 142".   5. Subject headings.
6. MELVYL's other databases.
Bibliographic style.   Cultural property.   Cultural heritage.   Exam questions.
Course description: 3 units. An introduction to issues in the preservation, description, and use of tangible forms of cultural heritage. Documentation, ownership, and control of access to cultural heritage resources in the U.S.A. Cultural groups, cultural identity, cultural policies, and cultural institutions (libraries, media, museums, school, historic sites, etc.).

Topics to be covered: Introduction. Intentions. Culture. Cultural heritage. Bibliographic access. Information systems are culturally based. Historical museums. Art museums. Monuments and historic sites. Education, censorship, languages, cultural heritages, and cultural identity. Archives, libraries, and manuscript collections. Cultural and historical organizations. Social construction of heritage. Social memory. Tradition. Cultural policies. Cultural property. Law and culture. Alienation. Public funding for cultural heritages. Economics of cultural heritage: Tourism. Collecting. Development. Authenticity and interpretation. Conflicts and multiculturalism. Historiography. Cultural frame of the historian. Interpretation of distant cultures.
Readings: Mostly short weekly readings to become familiar with concepts, terminology and issues. e.g. "Culture", "Heritage interpretation", etc. Other according to student's theme.
Assignments:. Visit and review a cultural exhibit. Interview someone with cultural heritage responsibilities. Weekly exercises and investigative assignments throughout to: Develop expertise in using information systems; Acquire familiarity with relevant specialized sources; Understand the character of knowledge- and culture-transmitting institutions / systems.
Personal theme and portfolio: Each student will pick a theme within the scope of the course, some combination of topic and cultural group. Through the exercises, assignments, and other investigations, each student will build up a portfolio on that topic: explanation, commentary, and, especially, a guide to sources. Brief written and oral progress reports.
Expectations: Three in-class closed-book exams intended, with limited choice of questions. Other expectations. Attendance and participation. Well-written work. Up to 6 hours work a week outside class. Individual consultation.
Grading: Half: Portfolio; Half: Exams. Attendance, participation, and exercises are expected to be satisfactory, with unusual performance used to raise or lower final grade.
Requirements Satisfies American Cultures and the L&S Social & behavioral sciences breadth requirements.