Courses

Information professionals play a major role in the information life cycle by facilitating the process of finding what others have created and accumulated. Their role is: to amass collections of information resources; to develop services to help people identify and articulate their information needs; and to enable people to find evaluate and use items of relevance. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the information environment, as well as an understanding of the differences in the information behavior, needs, and uses of various user groups. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to critically evaluate and employ information sources in different formats, and be able to communicate with users to identify and address their information needs.

This course examines and applies the principles of information systems analysis. It surveys project management, feasibility and analysis, systems requirement definition and resource allocation. It utilizes a structured systems development methodology that spans the entirety of the information system lifecycle, which starts with the conception of the need for a specific information system and ends with the implementation of that system. The course utilizes a case study approach in which students initiate the analysis and logical design of a limited-scope information system.

An examination of the role of a variety of communication and information systems used in organizations. This includes the study of communication processes across a variety of systems, including the telephone, e-mail, voice mail, and audio- and video-conferencing. It also includes an examination of the uses for a variety of information systems and technologies, including computer networks, integrated voice response systems, computer-telephony integration, call centers, automated attendants, voice recognition, and synthesis, database management systems, and a variety of additional hardware and software tools used in business today. Prereq: Telecom major status or consent of instructor. Same as TEL 355.

A survey of children’s literature, traditional and modern. Reading and evaluation of books with multimedia materials with emphasis on the needs and interests of children. Covers media for use by and with children from preschool through grade six.

An introduction to the nature of information (both utilitarian and aesthetic) in contemporary society, and to the role played by libraries and other information organizations in disseminating that information. Emphasis is on developing perspective.

An introduction to principles and practices of information analysis, description, access, control, and organization. Focuses on the prepresentation of information through metadata records, indexes, and abstracts. Examines the operations, process, tools, and methods of describing and organizing information sources; application of standards of both name and subject access points; as well as information storage systems.

Development of libraries and books from earliest time to the present with special reference to their relationship to contemporary social, economic, cultural and political trends. Emphasis is given to American library and book history.

Basic tools, techniques and methods of research. Consideration is given to the role and purpose of research in library and information science and its relationship to research in other disciplines. Includes critical evaluation of current research in library and information science and the development of a research proposal. Prereq: LIS 601, LIS 602 or consent of instructor.

A survey and historical study of library materials and literature for children up to grade 6. Students will engage in extensive reading, and in the evaluation of books and some multimedia materials. Basic programming will be explored.

A study of effective programming for children and young adults. Emphasis is placed on oral presentations. Literature-based activities and community outreach.
Prerequisite: LIS 510 or consent of instructor.

This course is an introductory graduate-level survey of theory and research on human communication mediated by communication and information technologies. This course is designed to cover the areas not typically addressed in traditional courses of mass or interpersonal communication, including theory and research on the use of computers and electronic communication over a variety of communication and information systems.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. (Same as CJT 615.)

The content and structure of bibliographic and other information resources in the humanities. A consideration of formal and informal communication within the humanities with emphasis on information sources and services in religion, philosophy, literature, linguistics, visual arts, music, dance, theatre, film and other closely related subjects.
Prerequisite: LIS 601 or consent of instructor.

Examines instructional services that libraries and other information-related organizations offer their clients to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively use information resources. Attention is given to the nature of instructional services, the instructional needs of clients, information literacy, methods of instruction, teaching and learning styles, instructional design and the evaluation of students and instruction.
Prerequisite: LIS 601 or consent of instructor.

A study of the computing fundamentals necessary for the understanding and use of information technology. Focus is on examining computer systems in concept and practice, which is essential to information professionals. Topics include how computers represent, process, store and retrieve information; how operating systems control these processes, interpret commands, present the user interface, and run applications; how databases are designed and created; how general understanding of programming processes and productivity software skills is important in a variety of professional contexts. Productivity applications include the Office suite, Internet applications and web publishing, and database management systems.

A course examining the structure, development and evolution of the Internet; network protocols and client/server architecture issues; Web page design, authoring, and evaluation; the use of the Internet as an information storage and retrieval system; recent advances in HTML and scripting languages; and Internet related social issues such as censorship and copyright.
Prerequisite: LIS 636 or consent of instructor. (Same as CJT 638.)

A survey of information agencies and health science libraries, including topics related to: the healthcare community and their information needs, information resources in the health sciences, controlled medical terminologies and classification systems, search and retrieval of information resources, issues in the management of collections and access to health libraries. (Same as CJT 640.)

This course is an introduction to oral history as a research methodology and its role in library and archives collections. It is designed for persons intending to conduct oral history interviews to expand library and archival collections. It is also for persons responsible for the archival management of oral history collections. The course examines how oral history projects are initiated, how projects are administered, how interviews are conducted, and how oral history interviews are preserved and made available to researchers. The course will also explore the use of technology in making oral histories available to researchers on the Web. Students will gain practical experience in oral history interviewing and related aspects of oral history, such as transcribing, editing, and publishing oral histories. Taught essentially same as EPE 669.

Examines the philosophy behind current national and state guidelines for library media programs and addresses the roles of library media professionals in program and resource management in the K-12 school setting. Students will work on their individual exit portfolios and plan a practicum experience to meet requirements for performance-based certification by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Prerequisite: May be taken concurrently with last requirements or following completion of all requirements (with the exception of LIS 676) for certification as school media librarian.

Examines historical development of academic libraries and their roles in higher education. Topics considered include the environment of academic libraries, organization and management needs of client groups, information resources and services provided clients; and issues, trends, and developments in academic libraries.
Prerequisite: LIS 601 and LIS 602 or consent of instructor.

Consideration of new and emerging educational technologies that could be integrated into school curriculum. Includes hands-on experiences as well as critical reading and discussion on current issues relating to educational technology and the role of the media specialist in technology integration.

Considers the many facets of paper, non-print, and digital preservation with the aim of providing the knowledge and awareness necessary to be able to incorporate preservation principles, concepts, and practices into all aspects of library and information center management. Includes hand-on experience.

In-depth coverage of the theories and practice of bibliographic description and subject analysis. Covers the organization of both print and electronic information and authority control. Emphasis is on problems in practice, special case studies, current issues and future trends of description, subject analysis and online authority control.
Prerequisite: LIS 655. or consent of instructor

Study of concepts and methods of information system design and development with particular relevance to library and information center applications. Emphasis is given to modeling of system functions, data, and processes of computer-based information systems including the development of small scale information systems.
Prerequisite: LIS 636 or consent of instructor. (Same as CJT 668.)

Supervised experience at the elementary and secondary levels in school library media centers. Required for students seeking certification as school/media librarians in Kentucky. Experience will be under the joint supervision of college faculty and cooperating media librarians.
Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education Program and consent of instructor.

Opportunities for directed study in subjects or problems of interest to a student. Observation and research required, and a written report describing the work accomplished.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.