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The following is a list of the learning outcomes of the MLIS program at the Kent State University iSchool:
Apply the field’s foundational theories, principles, values, ethics, and skills to everyday practice.
Critique and synthesize research and identify appropriate research methodologies to solve problems in the field.
Analyze and engage in the changing cultural, educational, and social roles and responsibilities of librarians/information professionals and the environments they work in within the global society.
Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a particular information context.
Identify needs and connect individuals and communities with information that engages and empowers them.
LIS 60010: The Information Landscape
(Summer 2020)
Exploration of the nature of information and technology in information-intensive environments. Topics to be addressed include information lifecycle processes such as production, storage, sharing, and consumption; social, cultural, economic, legal, and technological contexts for understanding information processes; the roles of information professionals and agencies, and their place in the larger information marketplace; current and emerging information technologies that shape the information economy.
LIS 60020: Information Organization
(Fall 2020)
Introduction to the theory and practice of information organization and retrieval in various information environments. Familiarity with principles, standards, tools and current systems relating to organization of information and retrieval. Exploration of supported information system functions such as searching, browsing, and navigation. Assessment and evaluation of information organization and retrieval systems.
LIS 60030: People in the Information Ecology
(Summer 2020)
Takes a user-centered approach in exploring the information needs and behaviors of people (as individuals and in groups, communities, and institutions) in relation to the larger information ecology that surrounds them. Topics covered include an overview of information ecology; the user-centered paradigm; major information needs and information behavior theories, models, and findings; the landscape of information sources and services for users; factors that influence people’s information needs and behaviors; and user empowerment, information ethics, information fluency, and related issues.
LIS 60040: Information Institutions and Professions
(Summer 2021)
Examines the political, social, economic, and technical forces that influence the larger environments in which information institutions are situated. This course explores characteristics of the environments in which information professionals may work, including but not limited to academic, school, public, and special libraries, museums, archives, cultural heritage institutions, government organizations, corporations across all industries, and information creators and publishers. The course explores characteristics of the information profession including core values and principles, emerging professions, and understanding possible futures in profession, and explores ideas of organizational behavior in information institutions that operate across the institution as a whole, within groups, and within individuals in the organization.
LIS 60050: Research and Assessment in Library and Information Science
(Fall 2021)
Focuses on quantitative and qualitative research methods applicable to information settings and environments. Explores research design, data analysis, proposal development, and ethical issues.
LIS 50645: Database Fundamentals
(Spring 2021)
Characteristics and concepts of database; different types of database models; conceptual database design and implementation; the relational database model and its application in practice for information professionals: key issues, principles, and techniques; data storage, processing, retrieval, analysis, and reporting.
LIS 60510-60512: Digital Technolgies I-III
(Fall 2020)
Data Fundamentals:
The first of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on data representation, encoding, formatting, and data modeling.
Internet Fundamentals:
The second of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on online information systems, the Internet, and data security.
Information Systems Fundamentals:
The third of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on Web-based information applications, programming logic, Linked Data, and the interpretation of data.
LIS 60602: Resource Description and Access
(Fall 2020)
Theoretical foundation, principles, core concepts, and practical application of current standards and conceptual models for the description (descriptive cataloging) of a variety of resources in information institutions. Topics include history and principles of descriptive cataloging standards, best practices documentation, resource discovery, authority work, encoding standards and structures, linked data, ethical issues, as well as current topics in resource description and access, such as emerging technologies and future directions.
LIS 60636: Knowledge Organization Structures, Systems, and Services
(Spring 2021)
Introduction to various types of knowledge organization systems, services, and structures (KOS) used in the networked environment. Understanding of the functional philosophical, logical, and linguistic fundamentals of KOS. Explanation of design options, features of KOS, and procedures to be used in the thesaurus, taxonomy and ontology construction.
LIS 60637: Metadata Architecture and Implementation
(Fall 2021)
Principles and theories of metadata development in the digital environment. Main focus is given to the design and applications of metadata schemas for distinct domains and information communities, issues in metadata interoperability, vocabulary control, quality control and evaluation. Examination of international standards, activities and projects with the use of case study approach.
LIS 60649: Indexing and Abstracting
(Spring 2021)
Principles and methods of manual and computerized indexing and abstracting applied to I & A databases, back of book indexes website indexes and sitemaps. Techniques of constructing indexing languages using international standards. Theory and practice of index design for specific formats and subjects. Automation and I & A services in networked environments.