The history of Norwegian public administration and its records

The course provides a survey of the history of Norwegian public administration 1660-2000, with emphasis on the role and function of public archives. Questions that will be adressed are such as: What types of archives have the administration generated in the last 350 years? What funktions have the archives performed? How do we find information in historical public archives today?

Knowledge:

The student knows
- main points in the historical development of Norwegian administration at the state, regional, and municipal level.
- the function of the archives within the administration.

Skills/applied knowledge
The student can
- explain the development of key archival functions by way of the history of the administration.
- can find, access and use public historical archives.

General competency:
The student
- has an overview of Norwegian public administration in the last 350 years, thereby knowing the various tasks performed, and the various archives generated.
- is able to find and access information and historical sources in a complex landscape of ever-changing government functions.

Lectures, group work, and excursions.