Courses
HI815XA Research Seminar:United States
The purpose of this course is to conduct research in primary and secondary sources and to write a historical research paper on the topic you selected during the course of the summer. The selection of topics, and the narrowing down of topics, should be completed by the start of the course on May 28 so that you may begin your research as soon as possible. The goal of the class is to produce a 20 page (of text, plus notes) research paper, which will include secondary sources (books, journal articles, websites, newspapers) and primary sources as available (including manuscript sources from archives, government documents, diaries, etc.).
LI801XO Foundations of Library & Information Science
This course provides an introduction to information agencies and professions. It examines philosophical and ethical underpinnings, roles and societal contexts, and current topics of interest in the global information society. In this class, students explore the role of information in society, change as reflected in paradigm shifts, the theory and processes of information transfer, and the characteristics of information professionals and professional practices.
LI802XO Theoretical Foundations of Service: Diagnosis/Customization
An approach to diagnosis and customization of information services which seeks to apply cognitive and psychological theories. Understanding individual personality, learning styles, community styles, and characteristics of human information use will serve as a framework for subsequent creation and development of individualized, user-centered services.
LI804XO Organization of Information
This course provides an introduction to the individual, social, and institutional perspectives by which we organize information. It examines the assumptions, practices and issues of commonly used classification systems in all types of environments, with an emphasis on the practices of cataloging and indexing.
Acknowledged or not, at the center of what librarians and libraries do is the idea of classification. Further, if we are to begin to link (in strong analytic and pragmatic ways) knowledge, representation and information systems, it will be necessary to move beyond a common sense approach to classification. This class then is an introduction to the individual, social, and institutional theoretical perspectives by which we organize information and the problems posed for institutions and society.
This course includes an examination of standard organizational tools, as well as a discussion of usage of particular tools, such as Dewey Decimal Classification System, Library of Congress Classification and Subject Headings, AC Headings for Children's Materials, MARC records, metadata, and others.
LI805XO Leadership and Administration of Information Organizations
How can people who work in or administer information agencies use organization theories and models to see, understand, and shape the processes of the organization and the products and services it provides? How do the components of an organization--the people, techniques of work, structure, goals and values, and management--work together and influence the political, social and cultural environments in which the agency functions? This course explores ways of thinking about organizations that can be applied to the challenging tasks involved in administering information agencies.
LI809XI Introduction to Archives
Introduction to the world of archives and manuscripts, regardless of form, and to the archival profession. The functions of selection, appraisal, acquisition, arrangement and description, reference services and access, preservation and protection, outreach, advocacy, promotion, management, and professional ethical and legal responsibilities are explored and applied.
LI810XO Research in Library/Information Science
Introduction to research methods and their applications in Library and Information Science. Theoretical principles and practical procedures for planning, designing, conducting, analyzing, and evaluating research using both qualitative and quantitative methods are introduced. Students learn to be better consumers and critics of published research literature.
LI813XP Reference and User Services
Introduction to a wide variety of print and electronic reference sources and current issues in the provision of reference services. Students learn effective ways to select information retrieval tools and resources, develop search strategies, and evaluate search results. Evaluation of print and electronic sources is also addressed.
LI818XI Archival Arrangement and Description
Students are introduced to the theories, terms, concepts, principles, and methods of arrangement and description of documents and materials in archives. The history and evaluation of arrangement and description, finding aids, websites for archives, and the practical and administrative issues of arrangement and description are addressed.
LI827XI Preservation Strategies
Introduction to the strategies, techniques, processes, and applications involved in the preservation of library materials. Students learn about the history of the production of library materials, along with the causes of physical and chemical deterioration; the accepted approaches to conservation, and preventive measures such as environmental control, proper handling of materials, and approaches to disaster preparedness and response. The complex issues surrounding the relatively recent challenge of preserving digital information are explored.
LI843XO Web Design and Development
Introduction to the basic principles, processes, and technologies of Website design and construction. Covers HTML programming, cascading style sheets, JavaScript, and other Web design tools. Examines the issues of Web usability, accessibility, and Web standard compliance. Students create Websites for real-world clients.
LI849XI Records and Info Management
Records and information management (RIM) is the process of creating, acquiring, and maintaining the records (i.e., the corporate and cultural memory) of an organization. In this class, students learn about the field and the concepts and principles of RIM. Students learn about creating and maintaining records in various physical formats (such as electronic formats) in different organizations or environments, and about the life cycle of records, from creation through maintenance to final disposition. Students also learn about developing effective policies, systems, technologies, and governance regarding these records.
Topics covered include examination of the document life-cycle of the records of organizations: generation and control-filing, storage, and retrieval systems using various technologies; protection and disposition-retention regulations and practices. Discussion of how records management concepts and contexts differ from archives and library organization and retrieval systems will be included.
LI862XJ Current Issues in Technology
Libraries are taking an active role in the broader shift towards digital information by creating digital collections, facilitating digital publishing, curating digital assets, fostering new forms of research and scholarship, and taking on other forward thinking initiatives. This course will take a hands on approach to learning about the challenges involved in creating an online digital collection. Teams of 2-7 people will develop a concept for a collection, plan for its implementation, and then build it.
LI873XA Archives Studies Practicum
Students gain practical and professional work experience in a supervised setting. Students must follow the guidelines set forth in the Archives Studies Certificate (ASC) Practicum Handbook.
LI880XO Capstone Course: Assess MLS Experience
This course will give students the opportunity to reflect on their growth and development over the course of their MLS experience. This should be the last course that students take.
The purpose of this course is to conduct research in primary and secondary sources and to write a historical research paper on the topic you selected during the course of the summer. The selection of topics, and the narrowing down of topics, should be completed by the start of the course on May 28 so that you may begin your research as soon as possible. The goal of the class is to produce a 20 page (of text, plus notes) research paper, which will include secondary sources (books, journal articles, websites, newspapers) and primary sources as available (including manuscript sources from archives, government documents, diaries, etc.).
LI801XO Foundations of Library & Information Science
This course provides an introduction to information agencies and professions. It examines philosophical and ethical underpinnings, roles and societal contexts, and current topics of interest in the global information society. In this class, students explore the role of information in society, change as reflected in paradigm shifts, the theory and processes of information transfer, and the characteristics of information professionals and professional practices.
LI802XO Theoretical Foundations of Service: Diagnosis/Customization
An approach to diagnosis and customization of information services which seeks to apply cognitive and psychological theories. Understanding individual personality, learning styles, community styles, and characteristics of human information use will serve as a framework for subsequent creation and development of individualized, user-centered services.
LI804XO Organization of Information
This course provides an introduction to the individual, social, and institutional perspectives by which we organize information. It examines the assumptions, practices and issues of commonly used classification systems in all types of environments, with an emphasis on the practices of cataloging and indexing.
Acknowledged or not, at the center of what librarians and libraries do is the idea of classification. Further, if we are to begin to link (in strong analytic and pragmatic ways) knowledge, representation and information systems, it will be necessary to move beyond a common sense approach to classification. This class then is an introduction to the individual, social, and institutional theoretical perspectives by which we organize information and the problems posed for institutions and society.
This course includes an examination of standard organizational tools, as well as a discussion of usage of particular tools, such as Dewey Decimal Classification System, Library of Congress Classification and Subject Headings, AC Headings for Children's Materials, MARC records, metadata, and others.
LI805XO Leadership and Administration of Information Organizations
How can people who work in or administer information agencies use organization theories and models to see, understand, and shape the processes of the organization and the products and services it provides? How do the components of an organization--the people, techniques of work, structure, goals and values, and management--work together and influence the political, social and cultural environments in which the agency functions? This course explores ways of thinking about organizations that can be applied to the challenging tasks involved in administering information agencies.
LI809XI Introduction to Archives
Introduction to the world of archives and manuscripts, regardless of form, and to the archival profession. The functions of selection, appraisal, acquisition, arrangement and description, reference services and access, preservation and protection, outreach, advocacy, promotion, management, and professional ethical and legal responsibilities are explored and applied.
LI810XO Research in Library/Information Science
Introduction to research methods and their applications in Library and Information Science. Theoretical principles and practical procedures for planning, designing, conducting, analyzing, and evaluating research using both qualitative and quantitative methods are introduced. Students learn to be better consumers and critics of published research literature.
LI813XP Reference and User Services
Introduction to a wide variety of print and electronic reference sources and current issues in the provision of reference services. Students learn effective ways to select information retrieval tools and resources, develop search strategies, and evaluate search results. Evaluation of print and electronic sources is also addressed.
LI818XI Archival Arrangement and Description
Students are introduced to the theories, terms, concepts, principles, and methods of arrangement and description of documents and materials in archives. The history and evaluation of arrangement and description, finding aids, websites for archives, and the practical and administrative issues of arrangement and description are addressed.
LI827XI Preservation Strategies
Introduction to the strategies, techniques, processes, and applications involved in the preservation of library materials. Students learn about the history of the production of library materials, along with the causes of physical and chemical deterioration; the accepted approaches to conservation, and preventive measures such as environmental control, proper handling of materials, and approaches to disaster preparedness and response. The complex issues surrounding the relatively recent challenge of preserving digital information are explored.
LI843XO Web Design and Development
Introduction to the basic principles, processes, and technologies of Website design and construction. Covers HTML programming, cascading style sheets, JavaScript, and other Web design tools. Examines the issues of Web usability, accessibility, and Web standard compliance. Students create Websites for real-world clients.
LI849XI Records and Info Management
Records and information management (RIM) is the process of creating, acquiring, and maintaining the records (i.e., the corporate and cultural memory) of an organization. In this class, students learn about the field and the concepts and principles of RIM. Students learn about creating and maintaining records in various physical formats (such as electronic formats) in different organizations or environments, and about the life cycle of records, from creation through maintenance to final disposition. Students also learn about developing effective policies, systems, technologies, and governance regarding these records.
Topics covered include examination of the document life-cycle of the records of organizations: generation and control-filing, storage, and retrieval systems using various technologies; protection and disposition-retention regulations and practices. Discussion of how records management concepts and contexts differ from archives and library organization and retrieval systems will be included.
LI862XJ Current Issues in Technology
Libraries are taking an active role in the broader shift towards digital information by creating digital collections, facilitating digital publishing, curating digital assets, fostering new forms of research and scholarship, and taking on other forward thinking initiatives. This course will take a hands on approach to learning about the challenges involved in creating an online digital collection. Teams of 2-7 people will develop a concept for a collection, plan for its implementation, and then build it.
LI873XA Archives Studies Practicum
Students gain practical and professional work experience in a supervised setting. Students must follow the guidelines set forth in the Archives Studies Certificate (ASC) Practicum Handbook.
LI880XO Capstone Course: Assess MLS Experience
This course will give students the opportunity to reflect on their growth and development over the course of their MLS experience. This should be the last course that students take.