Archival Adventures: Discovering the Past through Records

Course Description

Have you ever wondered what constitutes an archive? Or whether the things you have at home—like old letters, photos, or videos—might tell an important story? In this course, we'll explore a fresh approach to understanding archives and archival practices. While some methods have been historically used in archival work, others have been overlooked or labelled as 'basic.' Together, we'll dive deeper into these issues by exploring design thinking, family histories, interactive storytelling, and innovative ways of preserving and sharing knowledge.

Through field trips, looking at digital archives, prototyping, brainstorming, and hands-on archival research, we will also explore how archives are organized and classified—whether textual, photographic, or audiovisual. We'll examine these practices through both traditional and decolonial lenses, considering how archives can reflect diverse perspectives and challenge dominant narratives.

By the end of the course, students will learn how to design and curate their own 'family archive,' organizing materials like photo albums, videotapes, and audio recordings according to both historical and contemporary archival practices. As a culminating project, students will work collaboratively to design and install an interactive, interpretive exhibit of their family’s story—showing how the past can come alive through creative archival work.