Audio Visual Preservation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will provide students with an introduction to the identification and preservation of the most common audio visual recording formats: motion picture film, magnetic media, audio recording technologies, and video; and provide an overview of the care of collections comprising audio visual material and formats. The subject examines the history of each of these formats, the technological base for the format, and the deterioration mechanisms that impact on the format.

From this foundation, the subject will consider the handling of audiovisual collections including identification, occupational health and safety, condition reporting, cleaning and repair, duplication, preparation for long term storage, storage, and disaster risks and responses. The balancing of competing stakeholder demands for access and preservation will be examined, as will the ethical implications of the various approaches to what is often unique cultural material.

This subject will be taught as an intensive with some material being available online and the opportunity for industry placement working in the student’s area of interest.

During the pre-teaching period students are expected to complete the course readings, review the lectures and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS. The LMS will become available at the commencement of the pre-teaching dates.

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

• access the content of audiovisual material without compromising the integrity of the original material and content;
• assess the condition of audiovisual material, to identify deterioration and deterioration mechanisms and pathways, to undertake safe handling of audiovisual material for both the material and for occupational health and safety, and principles and practices in duplication;
• advocate conservation treatments suitable for community use; and
• understand the underlying recording and playback technology (analogue and digital), and history and materials of audiovisual material.

• A 2000 word collection survey and analysis due one week after the end of the teaching period (40%)
• A 3000 word essay due three weeks after the end of the teaching period (60%)

Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 100% of classes in order to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available in the pre-teaching period.

Additional texts may be recommended.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.