Foundations of Library and Information Science

Student contact hours: By appointment

The course offers an introduction to the information environment in which we currently operate. Following Rubin’s lead, we will be looking briefly at the development of the information professions, but the focus will primarily be on the societal forces that impact information, its uses, and the professions that work with information. While we are doing this, we might use our creativity – and our research skills - to imagine some of the societal forces operating during earlier times in history and the impact these may have had on information provision.

To articulate the complexity of the interrelationships of people, politics, technology, organizations, information and information use.

By the end of the course students should be able to:

• Locate the various information professions within society’s information infrastructure
• Discuss the impact of technology on information use
• Assess stakeholder impact on information policy
• Define the role of ‘values’ on information policy

Students are required to comply with the University’s expectation of academic honesty as stated in the University of Arizona’s Code of Academic Integrity (1991 Revision). Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle is that a student’s submitted work is their own work.

Participation - 10%
Assignments1 & 2 - 40% (20% each)
Presentation - 20%
Examination - 30%

i. Students are expected to participate in class-they are especially expected to take a leading role in discussions. Why? Because in your work you will often have to speak in support of a service, or a budget or for something in which you – and maybe only you – believe. Knowing how to effectively state your case is an important skill. So, participation will be judged on clearly articulated thoughts, pertinent and illustrative comments, leadership in discussions.

ii. Other than for documented medical reasons, no late assignments will be accepted. Assignments shall be a maximum of 5 double spaced pages.

iii. Present all written work in APA format, and word process / type all work.

Grades: A:100-90; B: 89-80; C: 79-70; Below C is considered a failing grade.

Week 1 Aug 28 Introductions: Course; Students; Instructor
Week 2 Sept 4 Information Infrastructure
Week 3 Sept 11 Information Science: A service
Week 4 Sept 18 Impacts & Implications of Technology
Week 5 Sept 25 Information Policy: Stakeholders
Week 6 Oct 2 Information Policy: Intellectual Freedom
Week 7 Oct 9 Information Organization
Week 8 Oct 16 Past to Present
Week 9 Oct 23 Ethics & Standards
Week 10 Oct 30 Organizational View
Week 11 Nov 6 An Evolving Profession
Week 12 Nov 13 Speakers; Student choice
Week 13 Nov 20 Speakers: Student choice
Week 14 Nov 27 Presentations
Week 15 Dec 4 Presentations
Week 16 Dec 11 ReCap before Exams

Generally, the first portion of the class will be in traditional lecture format. The second half of the class will revolve around group exercises, philosophical discussions, and / or guest speakers. In this way we will learn by listening and by actively participating. Exercises and discussion topics will be handed out within the first week or two of session, as will assignment topics. Click here to access the assignments. (For a MS Word version, click here)

You will be expected to read the chapters before each scheduled class. There will also be articles to read in advance of class. Click here to get the list of articles .