Instructor 
Nicole Martin
nmartin@nyu.edu
office hours: by appointment
 

ABSTRACT
This course explores the use of digital files and infrastructure as preservation media, and will investigate current theories and practices for the preservation of both digitized and born digital materials. The history of digital technology, computing, and preservation initiatives undertaken by the national, international, regional, and cooperative organizations will be explored. Students will learn about digital preservation environments, technological systems, and the policies and procedures  integrated into repositories ensure compliance with digital preservation standards. Students will gain practical skills identifying, analyzing, handling, and assessing risk for works as a whole, their component parts, and associated software and metadata. As advocates for the field of digital preservation in general, students will learn to appreciate the difference between information technology and information systems, and the necessity of their expertise. Through a combination of lectures, discussion, demonstrations, hands-on activities and lab exercises, students will develop an increased understanding of digital technology and digital preservation.

OBJECTIVES
Explore the history of digital technology, computing, and digital preservation initiatives;
Understand the computing environment in which digital objects or collections were created, and the optimal environment in which they will be preserved;
Identify and characterize digital objects and become familiar with format specifications and associated metadata;
Understand and articulate the requirements, responsibilities, and functions of digital preservation environments;
Through lab exercises, demonstrate an understanding of command line tools used for preservation and preservation techniques;
Understand basic digital standards, protocols, and technologies including operating systems (UNIX/Linux/macOS/Windows), network sharing protocols (AFP, NFS, SMB), networks (HTTPS, SFTP) file systems (Mac OSX, FAT32, EXFAT, ext), and storage architectures (SAN, NAS, DAS);
Understand strategies for digital preservation management.

EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to do required readings each week in order to be prepared for class exercises and discussions. Readings assigned for the week should be read in advance of the class session. Students are expected to bring laptop computers on lab days designated in the course syllabus.

Attendance at all classes is expected; more than one unexcused absence will affect grading. Students are expected to arrive at class on time, and lateness can affect grading.

Grades will be based on a combination of class preparedness and participation (35%); and assignments (40% for the final project, and 25% for assignment 1). Class sessions will include a mix of lecture, discussion, demonstrations, and group or individual lab exercises. Your participation in class discussion and lab exercises is a required part of your grade. Part of your participation grade may include volunteering to research and present briefly on specific topics addressed throughout the semester. Many in-class exercises and homework assignments will require a computer. Student laptops will be required most weeks for in-class exercises, so please plan on bringing your laptop to class. If you can’t bring a laptop, you can work with others, or borrow one from the department. Please inform the instructor if you regularly cannot bring a laptop so that arrangements can be made.

ASSIGNMENTS & STUDENT WORK
Students will complete two assignments for this course: an interview with an archivist or practitioner who works in the field of digital preservation, and an individual final project to be negotiated with the professor. Students are required to submit a proposal of their final project for approval, and encouraged to submit a draft in advance of the final project deadline. Assignments will be submitted electronically in the PDF file format via email to the instructor at nmartin@nyu.edu.

Work must be submitted on time. Students may request an extension of one to two days if an emergency arises. Late work will affect grading.

Feedback will be provided within three weeks after the (on-time) assignment is submitted. The first assignment and student works containing sensitive or proprietary information will be archived by the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation program department, marked as confidential, and never published. Works that do not contain sensitive information will be considered for publication on the MIAP website.

SKILLS
Introductory bash scripting
File identification (mediainfo, exiftool, DROID)
Data storage, formatting and analysis
Safe file transfer
Fixity checks for files and collections
Basic web archiving using Archive-IT and Web Recorder
Read/Write data to LTO tape using LTFS
Data packaging and disk imaging


TEXTS
There are no physical text sources for this class, and all required readings are accessible online. If you have any issues accessing readings, please contact Nicole ASAP.

 

NYU/TISH POLICIES

Tisch Policy on Academic Integrity
The core of the educational experience at the Tisch School of the Arts is the creation of original work by students for the critical review of faculty members.  Any attempt to evade that essential transaction through plagiarism or cheating is educationally self-defeating and a grave violation of Tisch’s community standards. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s original work as if it were your own; cheating is an attempt to deceive a faculty member into believing that your mastery of a subject or discipline is greater than it really is. Penalties for violations of Tisch’s Academic Integrity Policy may range from being required to redo an assignment to dismissal from the School. For more information on the policy--including academic integrity resources, investigation procedures, and penalties--please refer to the Policies and Procedures Handbook (tisch.nyu.edu/student-affairs/important-resources/tisch-policies-and-handbooks) on the website of the Tisch Office of Student Affairs.

Health & Wellness Resources
Your health and safety are a priority at NYU.  If you experience any health or mental health issues during this course, we encourage you to utilize the support services of the 24/7 NYU Wellness Exchange 212-443-9999.  Also, all students who may require an academic accommodation due to a qualified disability, physical or mental, please register with the Moses Center 212-998-4980. Please let your instructor know if you need help connecting to these resources. Students may also contact MIAP Director Juana Suárez (juana@nyu.edu) and/or Academic Program Manager, Jess Cayer (jess.cayer@nyu.edu) for help connecting to resources.

Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Policy & Reporting Procedures
NYU seeks to maintain a safe learning, living, and working environment. To that end, sexual misconduct, including sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation, are prohibited. Relationship violence, stalking, and retaliation against an individual for making a good faith report of sexual misconduct are also prohibited. These prohibited forms of conduct are emotionally and physically traumatic and a violation of one’s rights. They are unlawful, undermine the character and purpose of NYU, and will not be tolerated. A student or employee determined by NYU to have committed an act of prohibited conduct is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including separation from NYU. Students are encouraged to consult the online Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Resource Guide for Students (nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/sexual-misconduct--relationship-violence--and-stalking-resource-.html) for detailed information about on-campus and community support services, resources, and reporting procedures. Students are also welcome to report any concerns to MIAP Director Juana Suárez (juana@nyu.edu) and/or Academic Program Manager, Jess Cayer (jess.cayer@nyu.edu).

NYU Title IX Policy
Tisch School of the Arts to dedicated to providing its students with a learning environment that is rigorous, respectful, supportive and nurturing so that they can engage in the free exchange of ideas and commit themselves fully to the study of their discipline. To that end Tisch is committed to enforcing University policies prohibiting all forms of sexual misconduct as well as discrimination on the basis of sex and gender.  Detailed information regarding these policies and the resources that are available to students through the Title IX office can be found by using the this link. https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/equal-opportunity/title9.html

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy & Reporting Procedures
NYU is committed to equal treatment and opportunity for its students and to maintaining an environment that is free of bias, prejudice, discrimination, and harassment. Prohibited discrimination includes adverse treatment of any student based on race, gender and/or gender identity or expression, color, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or citizenship status, rather than on the basis of his/her individual merit. Prohibited harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on race, gender and/or gender identity or expression, color, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or citizenship status. Prohibited discrimination and harassment undermine the character and purpose of NYU and may violate the law. They will not be tolerated. NYU strongly encourages members of the University Community who have been victims of prohibited discrimination or prohibited harassment to report the conduct. MIAP students may make such reports to MIAP Director Juana Suárez (juana@nyu.edu) and/or Academic Program Manager, Jess Cayer (jess.cayer@nyu.edu), or directly to Marc Wais, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs. Students should refer to the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedures (nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/non-discrimination-and-anti-harassment-policy-and-complaint-proc.html) for detailed information about on-campus and community support services, resources, and reporting procedures.

NYU Guidelines for Compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) was enacted to protect the privacy of students' education records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide students with an opportunity to have inaccurate or misleading information in their education records corrected. In general, personally identifiable information from a student's education records, including grades, may not be shared without a student’s written consent. However, such consent is not needed for disclosure of such information between school officials with legitimate educational interests, which includes any University employee acting within the scope of their University employment. See here (nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/FERPA.html) for full policy guidelines.

NYU Student Religious Observance Policy
See here for the University Calendar Policy on Religious Holidays.

NYU Academic Support Services
NYU offers a wide range of academic support services to help students with research, writing, study skills, learning disability accommodation, and more. Here is a brief summary:

NYU Libraries
Main Site: library.nyu.edu; Ask A Librarian: library.nyu.edu/ask
70 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012
Staff at NYU Libraries has prepared a guide (http://guides.nyu.edu/c.php?g=276579&p=1844806) covering services and resources of particular relevance to graduate students. These include research services and guides by topic area, subject specialists, library classes, individual consultations, data services, and more. There's also a range of study spaces, collaborative work spaces, and media rooms at Bobst, the library's main branch.

The Writing Center

nyu.mywconline.com
411 Lafayette, 4th Floor, 212-998-8860, writingcenter@nyu.edu

The Writing Center is open to all NYU students. There, students can meet with a faculty writing consultant or a senior peer tutor at any stage of the writing process, about any piece of writing (except exams). Appointments can be scheduled online. Students for whom English is a second language can get additional help with their writing through a monthly workshop series scheduled by the Writing Center (cas.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/cas/ewp/writing-resources/rise-workshops.html).

The University Learning Center (ULC)
nyu.edu/ulc; Academic Resource Center (18 Washington Pl, 212-998-8085) or University Hall (110 East 14th St, 212-998-9047)

Peer Writing Support: All students may request peer support on their writing during drop-in tutoring hours for "Writing the Essay / General Writing" at the University Learning Center (ULC), which has two locations noted above. Students for whom English is a second language may wish to utilize drop-in tutoring geared towards international student writers (see schedule for "International Writing Workshop").

Academic Skills Workshops: The ULC's Lunchtime Learning Series: Academic Skills Workshops focus on building general skills to help students succeed at NYU. Skills covered can help with work in a variety of courses. Workshops are kept small and discuss topics include proofreading, close reading to develop a thesis, study strategies, and more. All Lunchtime Learning Series workshops are run by Peer Academic Coaches. 

Moses Center for Students with Disabilities
nyu.edu/students/communities-and-groups/students-with-disabilities.html 

726 Broadway, 3rd Floor, 212-998-4980, mosescsd@nyu.edu

All students who may require an academic accommodation due to a qualified disability, physical or mental, are encouraged to register with the Moses Center. The Moses Center’s mission is to facilitate equal access to programs and services for students with disabilities and to foster independent decision making skills necessary for personal and academic success. The Moses Center determines qualified disability status and assists students in obtaining appropriate accommodations and services. To obtain a reasonable accommodation, students must register with the Moses Center (visit the Moses Center website for instructions).