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Date Permissions Signed
5-12-2011
Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Jimerson, Randall C.
Second Advisor
Danysk, Cecilia
Third Advisor
Kurtz, Tony, 1965-
Abstract
Archivists play a pivotal role in documenting collective memory through the records they preserve. With this responsibility, it is necessary for the profession to be active in their duties if they wish to preserve a more encompassing memory of an event, and is especially true in emotionally delicate, tragic situations. This paper explores collective memory in its relation to tragedy, and its effects on the archivist. It then looks at the archival collection of the campus shooting that took place at Northern Illinois University in early 2008. Through interviews and studying the records of the collection, it is shown how the numerous aspects of collective memory were handled by the archival staff.
Type
Text
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25710/s5ve-t150
Publisher
Western Washington University
OCLC Number
733829586
Subject – LCSH
Collective memory--United States; Collective memory--Illinois; Appraisal of archival materials; Archives--Collection management--United States; Archives--Collection management--Illinois; Archivists--Professional ethics
Geographic Coverage
United States; Illinois
Format
application/pdf
Genre/Form
masters theses
Language
English
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Recommended Citation
Folkerts, Michael, "The documentation of tragedy in the archives: exploring the records of the campus shooting on Northern Illinois University, collective memory, and the archivist" (2011). WWU Graduate School Collection. 134.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/134