S401: Computer-based Information Tools
This skills-based course introduces basic applications that will be used throughout the student's course work and beyond. Students' experiences in this course should be seen as a basis for further skill development and learning throughout their careers. The course covers computing platforms, access tools, and management tools. Demonstration of skills will be by a mastery test or an assignment in each unit of the course. L401 does not count toward graduate degree requirements.
S501: Reference
This course introduces students to the basic information sources and services among different types of libraries and information centers, including academic, public, special, and school media.
S502: Collection Development and Managemen
Theoretical and pragmatic aspects of the selection, evaluation, and management of collections in all types of libraries. Acquisitions, publishers and publishing, policy making, and intellectual freedom and censorship are also covered.
S503: Organization and Representation of Knowledge
Introduces students to various disciplines' approaches to the understanding, organization, representation (summarizing), and use of knowledge and information. This survey looks for commonality among the approaches taken in information science, cognitive psychology, semiotics, and artificial intelligence, among others. The goal is to identify criteria for evaluation and improvement of ways to organize and represent information for future retrieval. Information systems currently used in libraries and information centers will be studied as examples. Emphasis in the course is on concepts and ideas, with appropriate attention to terminology and technology.
S504: Cataloging
Historical development and principles essential to the understanding of the conceptual foundations of providing bibliographic access and control of materials and information. Discussion and examples in the application of AACR2r will be presented to illustrate and reflect current practice. Emphasis is on monographic publications.
S505: Evaluation of Library Sources and Services
Examines the applied evaluation of library resources and services, including collections, document delivery, technical services, reference services, and overall library performance. Emphasis is placed on the available methods and methodological issues. The checklist method, availability studies, document delivery tests, use studies, applied bibliometrics, and the use of automation are covered.
S506: Introduction to Research
The research process, including concepts, design, conduct, and evaluation. Principles and characteristics of approaches and methodologies relevant to research in the field. Examples of data sources and introduction to methods of statistical description and analysis; ethical issues.
S525: Government Information
Theoretical and pragmatic aspects of the selection, evaluation, and management of collections in public libraries serving a population of 10,000 or fewer patrons. Acquisitions, publishers and publishing, policy making, and intellectual freedom and cencorship are covered. Designed to meet requirement for Levels V and IV public Library director certification.
S532: Information Architecture for the Web
During the past decade, the Internet has become an integral part of schools, libraries, and most other organizations. As we design systems for accessing and applying the vast resources available, skills in information architecture have become critical for librarians, educators and anyone interested in meeting the information needs of people in today's digital world.
This three-credit hour graduate focuses on planning, designing, developing, managing, and evaluating web resources. Learners evaluate the content and technical aspects of existing informational, instructional, and promotional websites designed for libraries, schools, museums, and other organizations. They also create web sites using raw HTML, as well as web development tools. Issues such as web accessibility, website management, and copyright will also be discussed. Finally, students design a plan for managing, sustaining, and/or expanding their website. Learn more...
S533: Online Searching
Principles, methods, and techniques of advanced online information retrieval (IR). Characteristics of and search strategies for the use of bibliographic, referral, citation, fact, numeric, and full text databases and search systems. Considers standards, use of communications software, front-ends and micro-based IR systems, and creation of in-house databases.
S551: Library Management
Management and administration of all types of libraries. Covers basics of organizational structure, planning, budget management, human resources issues and skills, and an understanding of the manager in the context of the organization.
S552: Academic Library Management
Background and current trends in the management of academic libraries.
S553: Public Library Management
Background and current trends in the management of public libraries.
S554: Library Systems
This course intends to provide students with an understanding of the concepts and applications of computer automation in libraries and information centers. The workload is designed to simulate the challenges of working in library systems: juggling multiple priorities simultaneously in a team-based environment. Students will learn skills that can be applied on the job in both technical and broader administrative capacities. Students will gain confidence in their abilities to support technology initiatives.
S571: Materials for Youth
Evaluation and use of books, magazines, recordings, films, radio and television broadcasts, and other sources of information and recreation.
S574: Information Inquiry for Teachers
Whether you're exploring ideas for your next vacation, pondering choices for political office, or examining history or science topics, information inquiry plays an important role in lifelong learning, personal growth, and many aspects of the K12 curriculum.
two students with books and computersThis three-credit hour graduate course is an introduction to the inquiry process and the methods, techniques, and concepts useful in teaching students and other educators the skills associated with information literacy, media literacy, creative thinking, and critical thinking. Learn more...
S580: History of Libraries
Development of libraries and information service from earliest times to the present, with emphasis on the library in relation to social, economic, cultural, and political trends. Learn more...
S603: Electronic Materials for Children & Young Adults
From educational software to informational websites, a wide range of electronic materials are available for children and young adults. These materials can help parents entertain and motivate. They can also assist teachers in meeting the individual learning needs of children.
This three-credit hour graduate focuses on the evaluation, selection, management, and use of electronic materials for children and young adults including web and computer-based materials. Learners will explore categories of resources and develop materials such as pathfinders and webquests to facilitate access and promote learning. Issues such as copyright, technology planning, and grant writing will also be explored. Learn more...
S603: Grant Methods for Educators and Librarians
In an era of shrinking budgets and expanding needs, grant writing is an essential skill for librarians and other non-profit leaders who want to continue to offer essential and innovative programs and services.
This 3 credit hour course will help you develop the skills necessary to identify potential and relevant grant funders, develop grant projects to address demonstrable areas of need, and write high quality grant proposals.
S603: High Tech Learning
From blogs to wikis, today's learners have access to a wide range of technology tools and learning spaces. This course explores these technologies and examines how librarians and educators can facilitate high tech learning.
High tech learning refers to the constantly evolving hardware, software, and networking tools and resources available to those wishing to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values through formal instruction or free inquiry. Because of the virtual nature of these digital tools and resources, high tech learning can occur anywhere, anytime. Libraries, educational institutions, museums, and community organizations all play a role in faciliating this type of learning.
This three-credit course explores high tech learning tools and spaces. Participants explore how technology tools can be used to produce texts, illustrations, photographs, sounds, videos, and animations for use in teaching and learning. Next, participants examine the role of librarians and educators in facilitating learning spaces through the use of technologies such as email, forums, blogs, virtual conferencing, collaborative web/wikis, social networks, course management systems, desktop spaces, and interactives. Along the way, participants examine evidence of the effectiveness of each technology as well as issues associated with their use. Learn more...
S603: Multimedia
Whether you'd like to build effective information tutorials or attention-getting animation sequences, the Macromedia Flash environment is for you. Gain experience with this cutting-edge multimedia technology tool.
This 1.5 credit hour course is ideal for beginners with little or no prior experience using Flash software, a web animation authoring tool. The class provides experience developing web-based multimedia materials that contain sound, graphic, animation, and interactive components. Students will be involved in examining and evaluating existing Flash projects, gaining hands-on experience through a series of practical skills-building tasks, and planning and creating a meaningful, authentic final project such as an informational or instructional tutorial, a dynamic simulation, or an engaging multimedia activity. Regardless of whether you're interested in animation applications in library and information science, teaching and learning, or other fields, you'll find lots of practical ideas and develop marketable skills. Learn more...
S603: Teaching and Learning at a Distance
An increasing number of public and school librarians are becoming involved in developing, supporting, and/or offering programs at a distance. From virtual book clubs to non-credit online courses on topics such as cooking to genealogy, public librarians are finding that virtual library activities can attract new patrons. Online high school courses, virtual test prep, and virtual reading programs are just a few of the ways that the virtual school library program can become the bridge between home and school.
This 1.5-credit hour, online course focuses on teaching and learning at a distance. From online courses to virtual book clubs, school libraries, public libraries, and other organizations are connecting librarians, teachers and students with online resources, virtual communications, and remote programs. Learn to design and develop effective, efficient, and appealing online teaching and learning environments. Learn more...
S604: Marketing for Libraries
Application of marketing concepts, techniques, and technologies for all library types. Emphasis on matching library users with services through information, education, persuasion, and partnerships. Topics: planning, audience analysis, needs assessment, market analysis, goal-setting, message design, public relations, publicity, promotion, advocacy, assessment and evaluation, internal and external communication, and change theory.
S604: Scholarly Communications
S604: Leadership Forum
S621: Audio & Video Sources
Explore ideas and resources to help you grow as a multimedia user, developer, technology coordinator, educator, collection developer, or librarian. This three credit hour course focuses on decision making in the digital audio and video information environment. This includes collection development, management, and organization with emphasis on the evaluation, selection, and use of a wide range of low to high tech audio and visual media. Issues such as access, organization, promotion, multimedia copyright, and censorship will be discussed. Multimedia literacy as well as integration of multimedia resources into the K12 and higher education curriculum and public library environment will be explored. Tools and techniques for sharing and disseminating audio and visual elements will be examined. Finally, remote and emerging technologies will be highlighted. Learn more...
S622: Resources & Technologies for Patrons with Disabilities
National and state initiatives related to people with disabilities increasingly stress maximization of their independence, whether in school, employment, or daily living environments. This three-credit hour graduate focuses on access to information as a critical element to sustained independence. Topics include specific materials, services, and assistive technologies available to meet the needs of various types of disabilities.
S631: Advanced Cataloging (hybrid)
Access to information is essential for sustained independence of people with disabilities. This course studies materials, services, and assistive technologies to support this access.
S640: Seminar in Intellectual Freedom
Beginning with a history of and alternative philosophical justifications for censorship, the student is introduced to constraints, obligations, and problems relating to intellectual freedom.
S644: Consumer Health Informatics
Topics include theoretical models for the delivery of consumer health information; Internet-based information delivery; access to patient information and privacy issues; quality of consumer health information; health literacy and health information literacy; design and development of sumer health information resources; consumer access to clinical information and current research.
S653: Health Sciences Libraries
S653 explores the roles of health sciences libraries, librarianship and informationists in academia and hospital libraries, health information technology and information services environments, and in research and administrative teams. This course provides an introduction to the healthcare industry, health sciences schools and education (medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, allied health and others), and the culture of healthcare in the United States. Students gain extensive experience with popular reference resources, consumer health and patient self-management sources, and searching MEDLINE, PubMed, and speciality bibliographic databases in the health sciences. Students will increase their understanding of librarian and informationist roles in information literacy education, evidence based practice, health literacy, and other issues.
S654: Law Librarianship
An introduction to basic legal materials and law librarianship. Primary and secondary resources; indexes; digests and citators; specialized research methods; current developments in automated legal research. History of law libraries in the U.S., their organization and administration. The role of law librarians in law schools and law firms.
S671: School Media
A school is a learning community. Each teacher and child comes with a unique set of experiences that contribute to the community of learning. The school library media center offers a wide variety of resources and opportunities. However, the enthusiastic leadership of a teacher librarian is essential to bring the potential of information and learning resources alive for both teachers and students. This three credit hour course focuses on the role of the school library media specialist as an educational leader and center administrator. Emphasis is placed on the evolving role of the teacher librarian as a critical player in the learning community including manager, collaborator, collection and curriculum developer, facilities designer, fiscal agent, planner, advocate, promoter, and evaluator. In addition to building professional knowledge and skills in traditional areas, this course explores accountability, administration, and advocacy aspects of the media specialist's critical leadership role in the learning community. Learn more...
S672: Seminar on Literature for Youth
An advanced seminar, addresses such topics as: images of minority groups, societal problems (e.g., poverty and family patterns), or informational needs and materials including access and availability of print, nonprint, and computer resources. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
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The SLIS graduate program currently offers many web-based courses. These graduate courses are taught entirely online including web-based readings and resources, threaded discussions, plus online presentations, audio/video, and activities. Choices allow graduate students with varied backgrounds and interests to select activities that meet their professional needs.
Take individual courses for professional development or certification.