With ready-to-go lesson plans this book is for archival studies instructors, both new to creating curriculum and those looking to refresh their courses.

The contemporary memory worker -- or those who work in archives and public history positions -- must go to work aware of the ethical, political, and practical discussions that have been happening in the field for the last thirty years. They are also expected to know the foundational conversations that have allowed the field to flourish and grow. It is thus essential that the classrooms that prepare future archivists and adjacent professionals integrate not only foundational theory, but contemporary concepts, into their curriculum. With this need in mind, this book combines canonical and contemporary archival theory and debates with concise summaries of important readings and figures, flexible assignments, and hands-on in-class workshops across several foundational subject areas within archival studies. This book is a resource for new archival studies programs that need to create curriculum from the ground up, or for seasoned instructors who want to invigorate their lesson plans and provide hands-on activities to their students.

Each chapter in the book focuses on specific archival functions such as acquisition, description, outreach and access, and preservation, among others) and outlines the use of different pedagogical techniques instructors can adopt in their classroom. The authors also share practical insights, strategies, and guidance based on experiences developing, adapting, and implementing curriculum for future archivists and records managers. This book provides an overview of historical and current debates in the field alongside essential components for educators working in contemporary archival studies.