Courses

LIS 60020: Information Organization – Introduction to the theory and practice of information organization and retrieval in various information environments. Familiarity with principles, standards, tools and current systems relating to organization of information and retrieval. Exploration of supported information system functions such as searching, browsing, and navigation. Assessment and evaluation of information organization and retrieval systems.

LIS 60030: People in the Information Ecology – Took a user-centered approach in exploring the information needs and behaviors of people (as individuals and in groups, communities, and institutions) in relation to the larger information ecology that surrounds them. Topics covered included an overview of information ecology; the user-centered paradigm; major information needs and information behavior theories, models, and findings; the landscape of information sources and services for users; factors that influence people’s information needs and behaviors; and user empowerment, information ethics, information fluency, and related issues.

LIS 60040: Information Institutions and Professions – Examined the political, social, economic, and technical forces that influence the larger environments in which information institutions are situated. Explored characteristics of the environments in which information professionals may work, including but not limited to academic, school, public, and special libraries, museums, archives, cultural heritage institutions, government organizations, corporations across all industries, and information creators and publishers. Explored characteristics of the information profession including core values and principles, emerging professions, and understanding possible futures in profession, and explored ideas of organizational behavior in information institutions that operate across the institution as a whole, within groups, and within individuals in the organization.

LIS 60050: Research and Assessment in Library and Information Science – This course was focused on quantitative and qualitative research methods applicable to information settings and environments. Explored research design, data analysis, proposal development, and ethical issues.

LIS 60280: Master’s Portfolio in Library and Information Science – Completed in our final semester. It included the creation of an electronic portfolio to represent and self-evaluation of our experiences throughout the MLIS program, considering program learning outcomes and preparation for a career in the field of library and information science.

LIS 60601: Information Sources and Reference Services – Introduction to use and evaluation of basic sources of reference information, computerized and noncomputerized; reference interview and question-negotiation techniques; administration of reference and information services.

LIS 60603: Subject Analysis, Representation, and Access – The course focused on the theories, principles, and practices of subject analysis of the intellectual content of information resources and its representation through controlled vocabularies and classification. It covered fundamental concepts of aboutness, vocabulary control, classification theory, ethical considerations, and the theoretical foundations, structure, and the application of major subject vocabularies (LCSH), classification schemes (DDC and LCC), and other knowledge organization systems, including genre/form and named entity management. The course also included examinations of authority control for subject headings.

LIS 60612: Library Materials and Services for Adults – Recent investigations of group and individual reading habits; advisory services in various types of libraries; library programs for adult education; projection of library materials toward community.

LIS 60613: Information Needs, Seeking, and Use – Surveyed theories and research related to people’s interactions with information. The theories covered included information context and situation, information needs, information seeking, exploration of information sources, communication and collaboration in the information search process, information use, and other interactions among people, information, and information systems.

LIS 60614: Collection Management in Libraries – Principles of collection development and management for public, academic, school and special libraries, including maintenance (weeding and analysis), needs assessment, acquisitions, e-resources, licensing, and preservation.

LIS 60615: The Academic Library – Governance, administration and services of libraries in institutions of postsecondary education.

LIS 60630: Reference Sources and Services for Youth – Organization and administration of information sources and information services for children and young adults (K-12). Evaluation selection and utilization of print and electronic sources.

LIS 60669: Information Services for Diverse Populations – Explored services for diverse populations to ensure equity of access to information in a range of LIS institutional settings. Special interests or needs included sensory or mobility-impairment; learning disabilities; illiteracy; incarceration and institutionalization; demographic factors (age, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity); non-native English speakers; and homeless persons. Covered federal regulations, materials, spaces, programs and services, professional attitudes, techniques, and technology issues.