Core 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

Takes 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 include 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 

Examines the political, social, economic, and technical forces that influence the larger environments in which information institutions are situated. This course explores 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. The course explores characteristics of the information profession including core values and principles, emerging professions, and understanding possible futures in profession, and explores 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  

Focuses on quantitative and qualitative research methods applicable to information settings and environments. Explores research design, data analysis, proposal development, and ethical issues.

LIS 60099     MASTER'S PORTFOLIO IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE  

Completed in a student’s last semester. It will include the creation of an electronic portfolio to represent and self-evaluate the student’s experience throughout the MLIS program, considering program learning outcomes and preparation for a career in the field of library and information science.

Elective Courses

LIS 60510     DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES I: DATA FUNDAMENTALS

The first of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on data representation, encoding, formatting, and data modeling.

LIS 60601     INFORMATION SOURCES AND REFERENCE SERVICES  

Introduction to use and evaluation of basic sources of reference information, in-house and online; reference interview and question-negotiation techniques; administration of reference and information services.

LIS 60602     RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ACCESS   

Theoretical foundation, principles, core concepts, and practical application of current standards and conceptual models for the description (descriptive cataloging) of a variety of resources in information institutions. Topics include history and principles of descriptive cataloging standards, best practices documentation, resource discovery, authority work, encoding standards and structures, linked data, ethical issues, as well as current topics in resource description and access, such as emerging technologies and future directions.

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 60627     ART AND STORY: THE STUDY OF CHILDREN'S PICTUREBOOKS  

This course engages students in the study and application of art and story in children’s picturebooks through the lenses of book history, publishing studies, children’s book illustration and storytelling, visual literacy and visual storytelling. Picture book readers are also studied, from professional readers, like librarians and book reviewers, to picturebook consumers.

LIS 60651     DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING AND COLLECTION MANAGEMENT   

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, terminology, techniques and applications of digital imaging as they relate to the development of digital image collections depicting works found in museum collections, archives and special collections in libraries. The students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to design, create, and manage digital images of text, graphics, slides and reproductions of 3-D objects. They will also be introduced to the principles and issues that pertain to the creation and distribution of digital image archives via image databases and the Web environment.

LIS 60665     RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS    

Study of the theory and practice of rare books and special collections librarianship. Topics to be addressed include identification and description of collections, history of the book, valuation, collection development, preservation, security, access and discovery, promotion and outreach, and administration of collections and resources.

LIS 60654     PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE MATERIALS  

Types and causes of deterioration of various kinds of library, archival, and museum collections; storage and preventive care, preservation through photographic reproduction and digital conversion, and conservation of rare materials.

LIS 60655     COPYRIGHT: UNDERSTANDING USER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Exploration of advanced copyright topics such as mass digitization, creative arts and other issues in fair use, library, archive and educational uses including the TEACH Act, digital first sale rights, Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and an introduction to copyright reform.