Master of Library Science - Curriculum Outline:
Master of Library Science - Curriculum Outline:
Theory Courses: 12 hours required (LI801, LI802, LI803, LI804, LI805, LI806)
Tools and applications courses: 29 hours based on student needs and goals and in consultation with a student advisor.
Capstone Course: 1 hour required (LI 880)
TOTAL COURSEWORK: 42 hours
LI 513 Information Technology Skills (1 credit hour)
This course is a hands-on approach to skill building in the use of information technologies and the application of these skills to personal and work-related tasks. This course strengthens your skills in the core applications that are often used by professionals. The applications covered in this course are: (1) word processing, (2) spreadsheet, (3) database management, and (4) presentation management. This is a prerequisite course for the MLS program and does not count toward the 42 hours required for the MLS degree.
These are descriptions of every class I took in the program!
LI 801 - Foundations of Information Transfer (2 credit hours)
An introduction to information agencies and professions, their philosophical underpinnings, roles and societal contexts. This course also develops an understanding of self in the context of an information age.
LI 802 - Theoretical Foundations of Service: Diagnosis and Customization (2 credit hours)
A systems approach to diagnosis and customization, applying cognitive and psychological theories. Understanding individual learning styles and characteristics of human information use will serve as a framework for the subsequent creation and development of individualized, user-centered services.
LI 803 - Information Transfer and the Knowledge Society (2 credit hours)
This course presents theories, models, and strategies of knowledge creation. Topics include dissemination, organization, diffusion, utilization, preservation, destruction, and their significance to the information transfer cycle. The information transfer cycle itself is examined in its relationship to paradigmatic change, societal shift, and their context.
LI 804 - Theory of Organization of Information (2 credit hours)
An introduction to the individual, social, and institutional perspectives by which we organize information. Examines the assumptions, practices and issues of commonly used classification systems.
LI 805 - Organization Theories for Administering Information Agencies (2 credit hours)
An investigation into the components of organizations and their influence on each other as well as on their political, social and cultural environments. These components are also studied in terms of strategies and goals, physical structure, and technology.
LI 806 - Global Information Infrastructure (2 credit hours)
The course examines significant theories and models related to Global Information Infrastructure development. Issues related to the roles of governments, agencies, NGO's, as well as local, national, and international organizations will be explored in an information transfer context. The role of networks is explored.
LI 810 - Research and Inquiry in Library and Information Science (2 credit hours)
An introduction to how basic and applied research gets done. Students will learn how to be better consumers and critics of published research literature. Students also will learn to see research as a social and collaborative enterprise - one that they can make a strong contribution to as LIS practitioners.
LI 811 - Assessing Information Needs and Evaluating Information Services (3 credit hours)
Introduction to the tools of community analysis, information needs assessment, and research methodologies for the purpose of analyzing, designing, implementing or modifying, and evaluating library and information systems and services.
LI 812 - Online Information Retrieval (2 credit hours)
Utilizing theoretical principles, laboratory experience and current research issues, this course will introduce students to strategies for searching various electronically-accessible databases such as FirstSearch and Dialog in addition to Internet search engines and directories. Prerequisite: LI 512.
LI 813 - Basic Print and Electronic Information Sources (2 credit hours)
Students will be able to evaluate and use indexes, bibliographies, encyclopedias, dictionaries, manuals, and other printed and electronic sources, including the Internet.
LI 814 - Organizing Information (2 credit hours)
Examination and use of standard organizational tools, e.g., Dewey Decimal Classification System, Library of Congress Classification and Subject Headings, AC Headings for Children's materials, Sears Subject Headings, AACR 2 Rev., LCRI (Library of Congress Rule Interpretations), MARC format, and OCLC/PRISM.
LI 820 - International Information Policy (2 credit hours)
The course examines transborder data flow, international intellectual property rights and reforms in a global era, challenges of technological change, privacy, data protection, standards, information industry export policy, and frameworks for information policy partnerships.
LI 827 Preservation Strategies (3 credit hours)
Gives a general introduction to library preservation issues and provides basic preservation information that all librarians should know. The course is structured to allow students to focus their research on the preservation issues they will face in the library environment they will most like serve in whether a public, academic, or corporate library.
LI 835 - Information Transfer in Disciplines (2 credit hours)
The nature of the questions and guiding paradigms within the academic disciplines is the primary object of study in this course. Scholar’s requirements, lay requirements, and methods of partnering with clients to foster useful searching, analysis, and synthesis are considered in depth.
LI 837 - Teaching in the Information Professions (2 credit hours)
This course applies information and learning theories and models to the challenges of instruction in a variety of situations, such as individual instruction at the reference desk, staff development workshops, classes in information use, or coaching clients to use new software. Students may apply these ideas to one-on-one, technology assisted, distance learning or classroom instruction.
LI 838 - Information Transfer and Government Resources (2 credit hours)
A study of government patterns at the international, national, and state levels for creating, producing, disseminating organizing, diffusing, and utilizing information. Examples of government information resources will be examined.
LI 844 - Database Design & Solutions for Libraries & Information Organizations (2 credit hours)
This course offers advanced theory and practical application of the organization and retrieval of information with the emphasis on information management in relation to database use and frameworks. Addresses such information management issues as repackaging, customization and the delivery of service. Prerequisite: LI 812
LI 850 - Management of Information Agencies (2 credit hours)
For development of an understanding of postmodern management theory and practice. The course examines managerial theory and relates it to the future administration of information centers. The course also examines current practices and investigates alternative patterns. The goal is to discover a passionate interest in managing and an understanding of those who are currently responsible for managing the organizations with which one interacts.
LI 855 - Collection Development (2 credit hours)
This class will focus on the policies and procedures associated with evaluating, selecting, acquiring, and deleting materials for an information agency. Intellectual freedom and censorship issues that influence collection development will be studied. Budgeting and policy writing are also addressed through assignments.
LI 870 - Practicum (3 credit hours)
Supervised, advanced professional experience in a library or information center. Students will have the opportunity to (1) engage in professional activities; (2) apply theories, principles, and skills learned in professional courses; and (3) discuss problems and relevant topics associated with professional practice. Each student will determine his/her activities and projects in consultation with the ESU coordinator and the on-site supervisor. Prerequisite LI 851.
LI 880 - Capstone Course: Assessing the MLS Experience (1 credit hour)
This course will give students the opportunity to reflect on their growth and development over the course of their MLS experience. This should be the last course taken. In the course students will analyze the artifacts collected in their assessment portfolio, discuss them with their colleagues, and write a reflective essay addressing the extent to which they have demonstrated and met the goals of the MLS curriculum.
Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://slim.emporia.edu/programs/mlscurriculum.htm