LIS-S 500 Methods for the Information Professions
3 credits
- Prerequisite(s): None
- Delivery: Online
- Semesters offered: Fall, Spring, Summer (Check the schedule to confirm.)
Description
This course covers methods used in the information professions. Students learn principles and concepts for organization and classification; develop information retrieval strategies; determine resources for information professionals; identify accessibility needs; evaluate collections, facilities, and services; and conduct preparatory work for research. The early modules of S500 provide a general introduction to the Department of Library and Information Science as well as to some of the basic information you need for every course. We want all students in the program to practice the learning management system (LMS) skills needed to succeed in the rest of the program. Note that some content in this course may be quite familiar, especially if you have taken online classes previously or already have completed other advanced degrees. Similarly, some content may be new or challenging. Mastery of all the course content is required for success toward your MLIS degree.
Program Learning Goals Supported
Instructors map their courses to specific LIS Program Goals. Mapped program goals drive the design of each course and what students can expect to generally learn.
- Connect Core Values and Professional Ethics to Practice
- Facilitate Engagement in the Information Ecosystem
- Curate Collections for Designated Communities
- Lead and Manage Libraries, Archives and Other Information Organizations
- Organize and Represent Information
- Conduct Systematic Research to Inform Decisions
- Examine systemic inequalities to improve library and information practices through equitable and socially just interventions
Learning Outcomes
Instructors develop learning outcomes for their courses. Students can expect to be able to achieve the learning outcomes for a given course after successfully completing the course.
- Design, implement, and evaluate information retrieval strategies (e.g., query construction, Boolean).
- Produce standard citations for bibliographic work.
- Distinguish common organizational concepts (e.g., taxonomy and folksonomy).
- Assess the principles of consistency and uniformity (authority control) in classification.
- Appraise how data are created, preserved, protected, and made accessible.
- Connect core values and professional ethics to practice.
- Analyze issues in access; diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Examine copyright and censorship trends.
- Evaluate information sources and services.
- Justify the role of the information professional in user services.
- Correlate theory and methods with identification of library user groups, spaces, and societal role.
Course Overview
Instruction is in Canvas. Lessons are organized into Modules whose length may vary.
Module 1: Introduction to DLIS
- Course Syllabi
- Tech Support
- Department of Library and Information Science Website
- DLIS Community
- Canvas Features
- Communicating in Writing
- Plagiarism
- DLIS Program Goals
Module 2: Overview: Libraries & Information Science
- My Journey
- Professional Ethics
- Professional Organizations
- Professional Journals
- Career Paths
Module 3: Information Seeking
- Web Searching
- Database Searching
- Information Retrieval and Behaviors
- Search Strategies
- Assessing Retrievals
Module 4: Documenting Sources
- Citations and Reference List
- Citation Assistance
Module 5: Information Organization
- Categorization vs. Classification
- Classification: Subject Headings and Authority Control
- Taxonomies
- Folksonomies
Module 6: Information Standards
- LRM (Library Reference Model)
- RDA (Resource Description and Access)
- MARC 21
Module 7: Information Sources & Services
- Information Sources
- Information Collections
- Collection Development
- Digitization
Module 8: Library as Place
- Third Space Theory
- Evolving Spaces and Redefining Roles
- Library Websites
- Social Impact and Community Building
- The Participatory Culture of Libraries
Module 9: Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
- Intellectual freedom
- Censorship
- Filtering the Web
- Copyright
Module 10: Principles of Ethical Research
- Overview of Principles of Ethical Research
- Case Study: Unethical Research
- Belmont Report
Module 11: User-Centered Approaches
- Users
- User-Centered Approaches
- Librarians as Teachers and Facilitators
Module 12: Data Access and Preservation
- Data Deluge, Data Preservation, and LIS Guidance
- Data Curation
- Data Literacy
- Data Rights and Privacy
Module 13: Management & Leadership
- Administration and Management
- Planning and Budgeting
- Personnel Practices and Human Resource Development
- Functional Units of Library and Their Integration
Module 14: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
- ALA's Code of Ethics
- Toolkits for Action
- Bias in Classification Systems
- Our Social Identities
Policies and Procedures
Please be aware of the following linked policies and procedures. Note that in individual courses instructors will have stipulations specific to their course.