This course provides an overview of the archival profession and the work that archivists do. Students develop an understanding of the historical development of the field of archives and learn about current issues, trends, and theories that are shaping the profession. Students also study the role of the archivist and the use of archives and historical collections by a range of users and become familiar with the theoretical considerations that underlie the core functions of archival administration. The course explores the legal and ethical responsibilities of archivists, as well as the codes of conduct and ethics that have been developed and debated within the profession. Students gain an understanding of how new technologies and digital records are shaping the way that archivists do their work and the skills they must develop to perform core archival functions with digital records.