Moving Image Archive Studies Courses

MIAS 200 – Curatorship
MIAS 210 – Preservation & Restoration
MIAS 220 – Archeology of the Media
MIAS 230 – Cataloging
MIAS 240 – Collection Development
MIAS 250 – Access
MIAS 498 – Practicum
MIAS 596 – Directed Independent Study

MIAS 200 – Moving Image Archiving: History, Philosophy, Practice (4 units). Seminar, four hours. Introduction to historical development of moving image archives. Critical analysis of archival policies regarding collection development, access, exhibition, cataloging, preservation, and restoration. Introduction to principle models and methodologies of moving image archive practices from 1938 establishment of International Federation of Film Archives to the present, addressing practices such as collection development of classical, national, regional, and non-mainstream materials (small gauge formats, independent and amateur productions, new media); changing role of technology in preservation and restoration; ethics of moving image restoration; cataloging standards and documentation systems; classical and alternative models of archive administration and funding; cultural impact of public programming; research and publication supported by moving image archives; access, education, and archival productions. S/U or letter grading. Syllabus (PDF)

MIAS 210 – Moving Image Preservation and Restoration (6 units). Seminar, four hours. Critical analysis of distinct models for archival preservation and restoration of moving image media. Examination and evaluation of current preservation standards for storage and duplication. Discussion of critical preservation problems such as nitrate deterioration, color fading, vinegar syndrome, and irreplaceable formats. Exploration of case studies of specific restoration projects through critical before and after studies, with focus on crucial ethical issues embedded within each technical and aesthetic decision facing restorers. Of special interest is question of whether it is possible and appropriate to speak of particular schools and/or philosophies of restoration. Range of key issues addressed, such as identification of original versus subsequent and multiple versions and theoretical and practical distinctions between different types of restoration. S/U or letter grading. Syllabus (PDF)

MIAS 220 – Archaeology of Media (4 units). Seminar, four hours. History of moving image technologies. Examination of relationship between technological evolution and forms of moving image expression. Lectures combined with extensive presentations of full range of analog, video, and digital image types to train students to develop discerning eye required for professionals working in 21st-century moving image archive. In addition to study of specific technical developments such as new gauges, formats, color processes, aspect ratios, films stocks, and projection systems, exploration of larger economic and industrial forces behind them. Study of aesthetic consequences of specific production and exhibition innovations by examining different types of images, genres, and narratives that accompany and influence passage of new technologies. S/U or letter grading. Syllabus (PDF)

MIAS 230 – Moving Image Cataloging (4 units). Seminar, four hours. Introduction to methodologies and standards specific to moving image cataloging. Discussion and debate of continued application of Library of Congress subject headings and genres to cataloged moving image materials. Exposure to variety of indexing languages used today within online environments and practical training in application of cataloging principles to motion pictures and television programs. Survey of general theories and alternate documentation practices at work within field as well as specific cataloging rules established by FIAF for local and national moving image archives. Discussion of important issues of public access, exploring various methods and protocols for making collection-related information available through secondary and nonsystematic channels such as study guides, collection profiles, Websites, stand-alone databases, and exhibition catalogs. S/U or letter grading. Syllabus (PDF)

MIAS 240 – Collection Development (4 units). Seminar, four hours. Analysis of collection development policies for moving image archives and their relationship to archival practices from cataloging to preservation and access. Day-to-day operation of archives involves complex set of interrelated activities, including collection identification and selection; conservation and storage; budget planning and grant writing, staff training, and supervision; and donations, deposit agreements, and application of copyright law. Exploration of these essential tasks and their implications for archives through case studies of moving image archives with distinct collection types, ranging from 35mm narrative to small-format video and digital media. S/U or letter grading. Syllabus (PDF)

MIAS 250 – Access to Moving Image Collections (4 units). Seminar, four hours. Survey and analysis of policies and procedures used to provide access to moving image collections. Identification and exploration, through lecture and discussion, of three distinct modes of public access: traditional access, public exhibition, and proactive access. S/U or letter grading. Syllabus (PDF)

MIAS 498 – Individual Directed Studies: Practicum in Moving Image Archiving (2-8 units). This course will provide students with a wide range of opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in a structured professional environment. Practica provide hands-on experience at the entry professional level in an archive, library, information center or media laboratory that is supervised by an archivist or other appropriately qualified professional and a faculty member in the MIAS program.

MIAS 596 – Directed Individual Study or Research (2-6 units). Tutorial, four hours. Study or research in areas or subjects not offered as regular courses. S/U or letter grading.

Film, Television and Digital Media course information is available at http://www.tft.ucla.edu/ftv_ma/index.cfm?action=degreq.

Information Studies course information is available at http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/courses/index.htm.

Course schedules are available from the Registrar’s website at www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/.