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Course Descriptions

The School of Information Resources & Library Science offers courses focusing on the study of information and its use as a social phenomenon. The School offers a Master of Arts degree with a major in information resources and library science. For admission and degree requirements, please see the The University of Arizona Graduate Catalog.

The School of Information Resources & Library Science offers a Master of Arts degree with a major in information resources and library science, which is heavily weighted in technology and emphasizes theoretical constructs of information resources. Competence and adaptability in managing information and in utilizing advancing technologies are key aims of the curriculum. The program is fully accredited by the American Library Association and requires a minimum of 36 units of graduate credit. Students may elect the thesis option replacing 6 units of course work.

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502. MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY PUBLIC NONPROFIT INFORMATIONS SYSTEMS (3)

Blends the basics of networked information systems into broader public and nonprofit organizational and security management issues and experiences. (Identical to PA 502)

504. FOUNDATIONS OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES (3)

As the first course a SIRLS master’s student takes, IRLS 504 provides an introduction to the library and information professions, to the SIRLS graduate program, and to roles and current issues in library and information services for the 21st Century. (This is a CORE COURSE. Core courses are never waived.)

506. RESEARCH METHODS FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS (3)

Research methodology, research design, and elementary statistics.
(This is a CORE COURSE. Core courses are never waived.)

515. ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION (3)

Introduction to the theories and practices used in the organization of information. Overview of national and international standards and practices for access to information (This is a CORE COURSE. Core courses are never waived.)

520. ETHICS FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS (3)

Study of the basics of ethical theory and its application to problems in information management. Application and development of ethical codes in case studies. (This is a CORE COURSE. Core courses are never waived.)

521. CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY (3)

Survey of a wide variety of children's and young adult literature with emphasis on bilingual/multilingual, multicultural, and multiethnic literature. Using children's and young adult literature to develop literacy, particularly for English language learners will also be studied.

523. EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES (3)

 

Examines the full range of abilities needed for working with preschoolers and their families and caregivers in today's public libraries. Provides theory, practice, and a framework for thinking about early childhood development and literacy.

524. INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES (3)

Familiarizes students with theories, practices, and issues of information services and evaluation of reference sources in libraries, information centers and other information-based settings.

525. CHILDREN AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES (3)

This course will enable students to examine the full range of skills needed for working with children and young adults in today's public library. It will provide theory and practice and give students a framework for thinking about services to children and young adults. Assignments are designed to provide practical experiences in "real world" library situations that they will encounter in the field. Students will be challenged to develop a passion to provide the best in library service to children and young adults and to envision themselves as key players in their libraries and communities in the next critical decades.

527. ISSUES IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES (3)

Explores current issues in school libraries. Topics vary. Repeat up to 3 times.

530. CATALOGING AND METADATA MANAGEMENT (3)

Study of the principles and practices of descriptive cataloging for bibliographic and authority control, and resource discovery. AACR2R, RDA, MARC, Dublin Core, OAI-PMH, and selected specialized metadata schemes for all forms and formats of materials are covered. Prerequisite: IRLS 515.

531. INDEXING AND ABSTRACTING (3)

Theory and practice of indexing and abstracting, including the use of computer software for alternative approaches. How indexing differs from other forms of subject analyses in subject cataloging, classification, bibliography, and thesaurus construction is also covered. Prerequisite: IRLS 515.

532. ONLINE SEARCHING (3)

Overview of multiple types of digital searching tools used in commercial bibliographic databases and on the Web. Focuses on selection, understanding, use, and evaluation.

533. MEDICAL ONLINE SEARCHING (3)

This course will focus on the online retrieval and evaluation of medical literature and the issues surrounding provision of timely, relevant, peer-reviewed medical information. Emphasis will be on the development of the intellectual acuity required to provide physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, medical researchers and consumers with targeted responses to medical queries. Current search modalities such as Evidence Based Medicine will be covered both in readings and in class discussions.

540. INTRODUCTION TO ARCHIVES (3)

Provides an introduction to the archival profession with focus on theory and practice in the areas of appraisal and acquisition, arrangement and description, reference, preservation, exhibitions, outreach, and electronic resource development.

541. PRESERVATION (3)

Provides an introduction to the preservation of library materials, including an overview of physical and chemical deterioration in various forms of media, and exploration of the body of knowledge related to ameliorating these problems.

542. ISSUES IN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (3)

Explores current issues in special collections. Topics vary. Repeat up to 3 times.

550. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENTS FROM HISPANIC AND NATIVE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES (3)

Explores the interconnectedness of information forms and environments (libraries, museums, archives, electronic, mass media, etc.) from different theoretical and cultural perspectives. Contrasts each w/Native American and Hispanic experiences in information and library settings.

551. EQUITY OF ACCESS (3)

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to issues involving equal access to information and technology particularly as it relates to Latinos and Native Americans and other minority groups. Students will examine information involving the digital divide.

552. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS FOR LIBRARIANS (3)

Foundation in education theory and examination of instructional techniques in a library setting. Students will consider cultural relevance of these methods by studying Native American and Latino education issues and incorporating these perspectives into their assignments.

553. ISSUES IN CULTURE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (3)

Explores various issues in information technology as related to diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic communities. Topics vary. Repeat up to 3 times.

554. DIVERSE CULTURES, COMMUNITIES, AND LIBRARIES (3)

Covers planning, implementing, and evaluating programs addressing information needs of diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic communities. Explores complex social, economic, historical, and technological developments impacting library and info. services to diverse communities.

555/588. ISSUES IN INDIGENOUS INFORMATION SERVICES (3)

556/588. ADULT SERVICES IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES: THEORY & PRACTICE FROM CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES (3)

557. Documenting Diverse Cultures & Communities

This course addresses themes associated with the production of information artifacts and issues in documenting cultural diversity across the American cultural landscape.  The practices of collecting and documenting cultures and communities will be explored in relation to the mission of libraries, archives, historical societies, and other cultural institutions concerned with the acquisition of information in books, journals, and other textual materials, and in sound and visual documents.

560. INFORMATION RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (3)

Principles of identifying, selecting, acquiring, managing, and evaluating information resources for libraries, information centers, and other information-based settings.

561. ACADEMIC LIBRARIES PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION (3)

Overview of the present context and organization of libraries in colleges and universities, merging current issues in academic library administration and practice with selected trends in higher education and the world of scholarship.

562. PUBLIC LIBRARIES PRACTICE & ADMINISTRATION (3)

The course will focus on issues that public libraries are facing today. Future directions for public libraries will also be considered.

563. READERS' ADVISORY SERVICES IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES (3)

Introduction to readers’ advisory services in a public library setting. Emphasis on genre fiction, although non-fiction readers’ advisory will also be addressed. Additional topics include the readers’ advisory interview, tools and resources, and marketing fiction in your library.

564. CORPORATE LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION (3)

Introduction to the management, information resources, marketing, and business environment of corporate libraries.

565/588. HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND PRACTICE (3)

Overview of health sciences library management, information resources, library services, health sciences environment and career paths. Includes Evidence-Based Medicine which promotes scientific literature in the clinical decision making process and electronic resources present in today's health sciences library.

570/588. DATABASE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT (3)

This course is designed to help students develop a broad understanding of modern database management systems. It covers theory, methods, and techniques widely used today to design, develop, and maintain a relational database system. The course emphasizes the applications of fundamental database principles in a stand-alone database environment using MS Access on the Windows platform. Applications under internet environment will also be discussed in the class using MySQL, PHP, and Apache in the Linux platform. The course takes a problem-based learning approach through ample hands-on experiences to prepare the student for designing and utilizing real world database systems in a team working environment.

571. INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (3)

This course is designed to introduce the basic concepts and applications of Internet-related information technology and its impacts on individual users, groups, organizations, and society. The topics in this survey course include computing basics, network applications, human computer interactions, computer-support cooperative work, social aspects of information systems, and some economic and legal issues related to digital services and products.

572. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION: POLICY AND RESOURCES (3)

To consider information policies and resources of the government of the United States and to develop an understanding of how those policies have evolved, and how they affect both the political system, the average citizen, and the overall structure of information dissemination in this country.

573. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN LIBRARIES (3)

Explores various information technologies and how they are used in libraries and information services.

475/575. USER INTERFACE & WEBSITE DESIGN (3)

Study of the human-information system interface: computers, human information processing.

481/581. SCHOOL LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION (3)

Services, finances, personnel, evaluation, quarters, organization and technical services in the school library.

582. YOUNG ADULTS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES (3)

This course will enable students to examine the full range of skills needed for working with young adults in today's public library. It will provide theory and practice and give students a framework for thinking about services to young adults. Assignments are designed to have students work in teams and often require connections with young adults, fellow professionals and community representatives. Students will be challenged to envision the best in library service to young adults and to envision themselves as key players in their libraries and communities in the next critical decades.

585. INFORMATION LITERACY INSTRUCTION (3)

Moving beyond the notion of bibliographic instruction or library use instruction, this course takes a broad view of information professionals’ teaching responsibilities. Students will explore the historical background and current issues, trends, policies, and practices related to the notion of information literacy instruction in diverse settings. Additionally, students will have opportunities to assess existing Web-based instruction and/or design Web-based learning modules.

586. ECONOMICS OF INFORMATION (3)

Economics theory looks at the supply and demand for all sorts of goods. Library and information professionals have to be concerned with the supply and demand of information.

587. INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIORS (3)

Information-seeking theories, methods, and user behaviors will be covered in order to gain an understanding of how different groups of people seek, gather and retrieve information in a variety of information environments. Information-seeking behavior draws on literature from library and information science, psychology, and communications.

588. ISSUES IN INFORMATION RESOURCES (3) Topics vary.
May repeat 3 times.

See also (above) 565 and 570.

589. SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION (3)

Structure and workings of scholarly communication and product in the U.S. Examines the content and technology of scholarly communication in various disciplines. (Identical to COMM 589)

593. INTERNSHIP (3)

596K. METHODS AND MATERIALS OF LITERARY RESEARCH (3) [Subtopics:History of the Book / Descriptive Bibliography]

The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers. (Identical to ENGL 596K)

600. INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE STUDY IN MUSIC (3)

Bibliographical materials, research resources, techniques, and problems directed toward graduate study in music. ( Identical to MUS 600)

601. THEORY OF CLASSIFICATION (3)

Study of the theory and principles of classification from an international and multi-disciplinary perspectives of Philosophy, Linguistics, Psychology, and Library and Information Science. Classificationtools and subject approaches to the organization of information.

608. PLANNING AND EVALUATION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTERS (3)

The planning/evaluation cycle as an approach to assessing various information center services.

613. DECISION MAKING FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS (3)

Introduction to quantitative methods for analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of the various systems that make up an information service such as a library.

614. INFORMATION THEORY AND TRANSFER (3)

Nature of information in the social setting. Examines the use, value, and relevance of information as well as the dispersion of information through open and closed systems. (Identical to NURS 614)

617. SOCIAL EPISTEMOLOGY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE (3)

Applies various theories of knowledge to information science. Emphasis on identifying practices that information services such as libraries can adopt to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge.

622. VERIFIABLE INFORMATION (3)

Principles of evaluating information exchanges and sources. Topics include the verification of the accuracy of information and the evaluation of resources in specialized subject domains.

624. HEALTH AND MEDICAL INFORMATICS (3)

Study of information systems used in health and medical settings. Particular attention is given to the integration of traditional and nontraditional methods of information transfer.

630. CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES (3)

Introduction to organization systems that use controlled vocabularies. Principles, standards, design and maintenance of thesauri using computer software are studied. The use of controlled vocabularies in website design and digital libraries is also explored. Prerequisite: IRLS 515.

634. DATA MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS (3)

Focuses on development and maintenance of healthcare databases for application in solving healthcare problems. Design methods, database structures, indexing, data dictionaries, retrieval languages, and data security are presented. (Identical to NURS 634)

646. HEALTH CARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3)

Focuses on the theoretical basis of healthcare informatics with an emphasis on management and processing of healthcare data, information, and knowledge. Healthcare vocabulary and language systems, and basic database design concepts are addressed. (Identical to NURS 646)

650. THEORY OF SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (3)

Focuses on contemporary organizational theories as they apply to complex healthcare systems. Emphasis is placed on application of theory to organizational analysis and decision making. (Identical to NURS 650)

651. INFORMATION POLICY AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES (3)

Examines library information policy issues from cultural perspectives, a topic of increasing interest as the nation becomes more diverse with immigrants from around the world, and as indigenous groups gain influence.

660. BUSINESS INFORMATION RESOURCES (3)

This course surveys and evaluates the major print and electronic bibliographic and information sources in business librarianship. Emphasis is placed upon user needs as they are translated into information-seeking practices.

662. ISSUES IN HEALTH INFORMATION (3)

Explores current issues in health information and medical libraries. Topics vary. Repeat up to 3 times.

681E. LAW LIBRARY PRACTICE AND ADMINISTRATION (3)

This course will focus on a wide range of issues dealing with law library practice and administration, including but not limited to digital law libraries, collection development, law library administration, teaching legal research, database management, professional ethics and intellectual property issues. Several classes will be taught by guest lecturers, primarily librarians from the law library. (Identical to LAW 681E)

688. ADVANCED ISSUES IN INFORMATION RESOURCES (3) Topics vary. Repeat up to 3 times.

689A. TEACHING LEGAL RESEARCH (3)

Tthe students will develop lesson plans and practice teaching legal research in specific areas such as the case, the statute and legislative history, secondary sources, non-legal research, CALR, administrative law and the internet. Practice classes will be videotaped to critique and to allow students to monitor their own teaching styles.  Students will also develop web pages for the course. (Identical to LAW 689A)

693. INTERNSHIP (credit varies)

694. PRACTICUM (credit varies)

695E. CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES (1-3)

Introduction to organization systems that use controlled vocabularies. Principles, standards, design and maintenance of thesauri using computer software are studied. The use of controlled vocabularies in website design and digital libraries is also explored.

695H. CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH SERVICES AND LITERATURE (2-3) Topics vary. Repeat up to 3 times.

696B. ISSUES IN LIBRARIES: WRITING SEMINAR

A seminar during which students will select and investigate contemporary, focused aspects of broad, fundamental issues in information and library science through research, readings, lectures, and discussion of their written work. Involves extensive reading, research, and writing.

696D. CURRENT RESOURCES IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES (3)

696E. INFORMATION RESOURCES (3) Repeat up to 3 times.

699. INDEPENDENT STUDY (credit varies)

796A. ADVANCED TOPICS IN INFORMATION RESOURCES (3) Repeat up to 3 times.

900. RESEARCH (1-9)

910. THESIS (credit varies)

920. DISSERTATION (1-9)

930. SUPPLEMENTARY REGISTRATION (1-9)

updated January 29, 2008