Information Studies Courses
Ist 502 History of Recorded Information (3)
An introduction to the history of how human beings have created, maintained and preserved information for personal, official, and cultural purposes. Topics include the development of writing, recordkeeping, and libraries; the emergence of printing and the history of the book; the evolution of recordkeeping by organizations, government, and individuals; and the impact of different technologies on the development of print and digital culture.
Ist 523 Fundamentals of Information Technology (3)
Introduces essential information technology skills for information professionals. Students learn how operating systems, hardware, software, and networks interoperate. Includes an overview of web-based applications, including XHTML, JavaScript, digital representation of information, database basics, and information security.
Ist 530 Topics in Information Security (1-6)
This course covers varying and current topics in the field of information security. Focus of the course may vary from one offering to the next to reflect the rapidly emerging nature of this topic.
Ist 532 Terrorism, Public Security, and Information Analysis (3)
This course discusses information technologies available to assist in intelligence analysis, as well as defensive tools used to combat cyberterrorism and protect our information-based infrastructure. Techniques include advanced information retrieval, summarization, and linking, data analysis and data mining technologies. Legal and ethical issues related to intelligence gathering and monitoring will also be included.
Ist 533 Information Storage and Retrieval (3)
An introduction to current practices in information retrieval. Topics covered include key concepts in information storage and retrieval, the document and query structure, matching mechanisms and formal retrieval models, output presentation, and the evaluation of system effectiveness. Includes an investigation of the inner workings of retrieval systems and search engines.
Ist 535 Web Database Programming (3)
This course covers the application of database technology to the service of Websites. Students learn practical programming skills in a hands-on project based course, and acquire the ability to develop a database backed, dynamic and feature-rich Web site. Prerequisites: Ist 523 or permission of instructor.
Ist 538 Fundamentals of XML (3)
Extensible Markup Language (XML) provides a standard to support automated processing across platforms and applications. Students will learn practical applications of XML, and will apply the standard to sample texts and objects.
Ist 546 Fundamentals of Records Management (3)
Basic concepts and practices of records management in governmental, institutional, and corporate agencies, including those areas of communication, administration and computer technology that relate to the efficient and effective flow of information from its generation to its final dIstosition. Will include records inventory, active and inactive records control, manual and automated systems, vital records protection, the records center, micrographics technology and applications, and legal and ethical aspects of record management.
Ist 547 Electronic Record Management (3)
Topics include problems of defining records and documents in a digital environment, analysis and understanding of the requirements for creating and keeping records digitally, developing information systems that create useable and accessible digital records, and preservation of and access to digital materials. The emphasis is on electronic records created by institutions and organizations. Prerequisite: Ist 656 or 546.
Ist 554 Contemporary Publishing (3)
Structure and problems of the publishing industry; production and distribution systems and their implications for libraries and other information agencies; legal and economic aspects; types of publishers (trade, association, university press, professional, and religious). Print and electronic publishing will be considered.
Ist 557 Introduction to Legal Research (3)
Examination and analysis of the basic and specialized information sources that provide a structure for legal research. Topics include court reports, digests, annotations, constitutions, Shepard's citations, looseleaf reporters, legal encyclopedias and periodicals. Assignments in WESTLAW and LEXIS-NEXIS online databases will provide hands-on familiarity with computer-assisted legal research (CALR).
Ist 560 Information and Public Policy (3)
Analysis and evaluation of public policies affecting the production, dissemination, and access to information generated by or for the federal government. Topics and issues include concepts of intellectual freedom, the public's right to be informed, freedom of information and privacy legislation, policies on dissemination of information in non-print formats, national security classification, privatizing of government information, issues of equity, and related policy matters.
Ist 561 Web Design and Development (3)
This course introduces principles of Web design and development through readings, exercises, discussions, hands-on lab activities, lectures, projects, and presentations. Topics covered include: Web design basics, HTML/XHTML, Web technologies, CSS, Web graphics, dynamic HTML/XHTML, usability, evaluation of Websites and Web-based online resources, and accessibility.
Ist 562 Economics of Information Management (3)
Principles and theory of economics of managing libraries, archives and other information services; the tools of cost benefit, regression and applied microeconomic analysis necessary for management of information systems and information services. Examination of library user fee debate, the economics of journal subscription prices and costs and benefits of on-line searching.
Ist 565 Human Information Behavior (3)
An overview of human information behavior in different contexts. Introduces the theories, methods and models relating to information behavior. Examines human information behavior, including information needs, information seeking and use in different situations, environments and populations.
Ist 566 Special Problems in Information Science & Policy (3)
Special course on a current problem, issue, or development in information and library science.
Ist 571 Literature for Children (3)
Introductory survey of literature for children with the emphasis on twentieth-century authors and illustrators. Problems and trends in writing and publishing. Class discussion and written critical evaluations based on extensive readings. Includes 12.5 hours of school or public library field experience.
Ist 573 The History of Children's Literature (3)
Selected literature for children in English from the beginnings to the early 20th century. Texts are selected to represent different historical periods and diversity of authorial perspectives; the key considerations are the quality of the literature and its historical significance. Attention is given to changing attitudes toward children as reflected in the books provided for them. Writing assignments will range from historical/critical analyses to reader-response essays.
Ist 578 Literature for Young Adults (3)
Characteristics, needs, and media interests of youth (ages 13-18); critical study of selection aids, books, periodicals, films, recordings, and other materials created for, or popular with, adolescents; practice in media presentations and library programs for youth. Includes 12.5 hours of school or public library field experience.
Ist 601 The Information Environment (3)
Provides a theoretical background for students entering the information science professions. Through guest speakers, field trips, a variety of readings, class discussion, lectures, and writing assignments, students gain knowledge of the critical themes in the field, such as information seeking, users, environments, policies, and ethics.
Ist 602 Information and Knowledge Organization (3)
An introduction to fundamental concepts and theoretical principles of knowledge, organization models, and techniques used to facilitate access to information resources. The emphasis in this course is on interdisciplinary ideas and concepts.
Ist 603 Information Processing (3)
An introduction to the principles and practices of bibliographic control, including cataloging and classification. A variety of methods, systems, and tools are used to illustrate the application of underlying principles in practical situation. Prerequisite: Ist 602.
Ist 605 Information Sources and Services (3)
General consideration of reference/information services, the kinds of knowledge, the kinds of formats in which knowledge is recorded and the ways in which it is pursued and retrieved.
Ist 606 Collection Development and Management (3)
Theoretical and practical aspects of the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and management of resources to meet the information needs of clientele in libraries and other institutions. Prerequisites: Ist 605.
Ist 608 Research Methods (3)
Basic research methods and statistics for students entering the information science professions. Covers descriptive and inferential statistics through correlation and regression; basic research process methods, quantitative and qualitative; and the creation of grant or research proposals.
Ist 611 Information Systems (3)
This course provides a detailed survey of information systems. It will present conceptual, theoretical, historical, social, economic, and ethical issues surrounding the development, deployment and management of dominant information systems technologies. Topics covered include: information systems architectures, database management systems, transaction processing, eCommerce, telecommunications, software and hardware standards, Web-based systems, data warehousing, data mining, agent-based systems, and social impacts of information systems.
Ist 614 Administration of Information Agencies (3)
Principles and theory of administration. Consideration of planning, organization, budgeting, personnel, standards, inter-institutional cooperation. Recommended: Ist 601.
Ist 615 Advanced Seminar in Information Policy and Management (3)
This course consists of advanced study of selected topics in information policy and organizational information management. Expanding on concepts covered in core SIst policy and management courses, students select, in consultation with the instructor, an area of in-depth research focus, regularly sharing research insights with other class participants. Prerequisites: Ist 560 and 614, or permission of instructor.
Ist 617 Academic Libraries and Higher Education (3)
A consideration of the academic library in the context of the changing environment of higher education, including the historical development of institutions of higher education and their libraries in the U.S. Students will analyze the academic library, its functions, and its relationships within the various institutions of which they are a part and study current challenges confronting academic libraries. Prerequisite: Ist 601.
Ist 618 Public Libraries (3)
This course focuses on current issues, practices and trends in public library organizations, planning, and service delivery. Topics include levels of governance in public libraries; the role of state charters, systems, and trustees; public, technical and administrative services; and professional development, including career paths, continuing education, and compensation. Prerequisite: Ist 601.
Ist 619 Special Libraries/Information Centers (3)
Application of contemporary management techniques, with emphasis upon the operation, function, purpose, and problems of special libraries/information centers. Recommended as preparation for the Medical Library Association certification examination.
Ist 623 Special Topics (1)
Short one-credit courses examining various aspects of library and information science. Topics will change from semester to semester.
Ist 635 Theory of Classification (3)
History and theory of classification; principles underlying the construction of classification schemes; comparative study of individual schemes; current activity in classification research. Prerequisite: Ist 603.
Ist 636 Systems Analysis in the Information Environment (3)
Theory and methods of systems analysis as applied to information systems and services.
Ist 640 Abstracting and Indexing (3)
Characteristics and applications of abstracts and indexes and techniques for their creation. Impact and implications of recent technology. Prerequisite: Ist 603.
Ist 642 Advanced Cataloging (3)
In-depth treatment of cataloging theories and practices with specific applications to non-print resources. Prerequisite: Ist 603.
Ist 643 Information Sources in the Humanities (3)
Bibliographic structure, information resources and services, classic and contemporary scholarship, research problems and trends in the humanities. Prerequisites: Ist 603, 605.
Ist 644 Information Sources in the Social Sciences (3)
Bibliographic structure, information resources and services, classic and contemporary scholarship, research problems and trends in the social sciences. Prerequisites: Ist 603, 605.
Ist 645 Information Sources in the Sciences (3)
Bibliographic structure, reference and information resources, research problems, specialized information problems and services in the pure and applied sciences. Recommended for individuals intending to take the Medical Library Association certification examination. Prerequisites: Ist 603, 605.
Ist 647 Health Sciences Information and Communications Systems (3)
Management and operation of information resources and services. Essential elements of database searching. Relationship of health information agencies, health education, drug information programs, health sciences records administration. Clinical decision making and medical information. Recommended for individuals seeking Medical Library Association certification. Prerequisites: Ist 603, Ist 605.
Ist 648 Information Sources and Services in Business and Economics (3)
The study of national and international corporate, industrial, governmental information resources in business and economics; user needs and communication patterns in the business world; search strategies for effective use of databases; library and information services to the business community. Prerequisite: Ist 605.
Ist 649 Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Techniques (3)
This course is an introduction to information literacy instruction in a variety of types of libraries and other information-related organizations. The history of library instruction, theoretical issues in the field, instructional program development, and teaching techniques will all be included. Students will develop and present an instructional session designed for a specific library or other user group.
Ist 650 U.S. Government Information Sources (3)
Analysis of federal government publications; problems of acquisition, distribution, classification, bibliographic control. Emphasis on statutory and administrative law, treaties, microforms, and government- sponsored technical report literature. Prerequisites: Ist 605 or consent of instructor.
Ist 651 Serials (3)
General bibliographical control of serials, including cataloging and recent efforts at international standardization; serials management; collection development and resource sharing. Prerequisite: Ist 603.
Ist 653 Digital Libraries (3)
Provides an overview of both the theoretical and practical aspects of digital libraries. Topics covered include types and formats of digital content, collection development and selection, digitization and underlying technologies, metadata, organization, access, preservation, project management, and evaluation and use of digital libraries.
Ist 654 Preservation Management in Archives and Libraries (3)
An introductory survey of preservation management in libraries and archives, covering such topics as the historical evolution of the preservation dilemma, programs for academic and public libraries, collections maintenance and environmental controls, commercial binding and rebinding, selection for preservation and microfilming, security, archival preservation, paper conservation, disaster planning and recovery, and preservation of non-print materials (including electronic media).
Ist 655 Rare Books (3)
Introduction to the handling and development of rare book collecting; conservation and preservation; terminology and principles of bibliographic description; the antiquarian book trade; the history of rare book collection; important collections.
Ist 656 Archives and Manuscripts (3)
Administration of archival and manuscript collections, principles of arrangement, description, acquisition and appraisal; reference services, survey of current practices at national, state, and local levels; basic concepts of records management, preservation and conservation of archival materials; problems of archival research and personal privacy.
Ist 658 Database Design and Development (3)
Database principles for microcomputers, with an emphasis on relational database management systems (DBMS) for applications development in the library and information fields. Database design, creation, and maintenance; the user interface; programming concepts. Creation of a working database system.
Ist 660 Archival Representation (3)
Introduction to the history, theory, and practice of the representation of archival materials. Examines arrangement principles, descriptive standards, current research, and implementation of description programs for archival access. Students study different types of surrogates, including finding aids, MARC, EAD, and archival metadata and complete a description project at a local repository.
Ist 666 Current Problems in Information Studies (3)
Special course on a current problem, issue, or development in library or information science and policy.
Ist 668 Internship (3-6)
Opportunity for skill development and problem solving through observation and practice in an information environment under the supervision of a faculty member and a cooperating librarian or other information professional. Meetings, reports, and 150 hours of experience required. Prerequisites: 24 credits completed toward MSIS degree and consent of advisor.
Ist 669 Independent Study in Library and Information Science and Policy (1-3)
Supervised reading, research, or field project in some specialized area of information science and policy to meet the needs of advanced students. Written approval of the independent study proposal by a supervising faculty member and by the Information Studies Chair is required before registration. Prerequisite: 12 credits of graduate course work in Information Studies.
Ist 670 Teaching Fundamentals for School Libraries (3)
Covers essentials of K-12 educational theory and practice with particular reference to information literacy instruction. Includes 50 hours of supervised school-based field experience. Prerequisite for 675 and 673 for students who do not have prior student teaching or equivalent instructional experience.
Ist 673 Technology in School Library Media Centers: Theory, Practice, Application and Assessment (3)
Based on information literacy, educational technology, and learning theories, problem-based project teams of students will develop a multimedia curriculum/web project and be actively involved in its implementation in assessment collaboration with K-12 media specialists and teachers. Includes 25 hours of school library field experience. Prerequisites: Ist 523, Ist 601, and one education course.
Ist 675 The Curriculum and Supportive Resources (3)
Elementary and secondary curriculum and the school media center program; analysis, appraisal, selection, and use of curricular resources and related print and nonprint materials. Consultive and instructional responsibilities. Includes 25 hours of school library field experience. Prerequisite: Ist 605.
Ist 676 Administration of School Library Media Programs (3)
Discusses problems, practices, and research in the organization and management of school media centers. Review includes standards, programs and services, facilities, policies, budgets, and human and organizational factors. Includes 25 hours of school library field experience.
Ist 680 Seminar (3)
In-depth research of a specific problem or issue in information science and policy. Class reports, discussions, and submission of a major paper are required. Prerequisite(s): Ist 608 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Limited to students who have completed a minimum of 15 credits of graduate study in library and information science.
Ist 699 Master's Thesis in Information Science and Policy (2-6)
Prerequisites: Ist 608 or equivalent and consent of instructor and Associate Dean.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Courses
Ist 701 Proseminar in Information Science and Policy (3)
Trends, issues, and problems in information science and policy; problem formulation; development of research projects.
Ist 702 Directed Readings in Information Science and Policy (3)
Supervised reading on selected topics in information science and policy appropriate to the planned specialization of advanced students. (May be taken twice.)
Ist 768 Advanced Internship in Information Science and Policy (3-6)
Planned experiences which emphasize the student's professional objective. Includes a critical and analytical paper on some aspect of the program of the library or information center in which the internship takes place.
Ist 780 Major Research Seminar (3-6)
Preparation of a major research paper in the area of the student's specialization. Paper is expected to follow thesis format and be suitable for deposit in University Library or ERIC Clearinghouse.
