Curriculum

Core Courses:

• LIS 60010 The Information Landscape

  • Exploration of the nature of information and technology in information-intensive environments. Topics to be addressed include information life cycle 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. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. ​

• LIS 60020 Information Organization

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Focuses on quantitative and qualitative research methods applicable to information settings and environments. Explores research design, data analysis, proposal development, and ethical issues.

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Museum Studies Courses:

• LIS 60700 Foundations of Museum Studies

  • Intended for those interested in learning more about museums or specializing in museum studies. The goal is to introduce students to various aspects of all types of museums as dynamic networked systems positioned around objects, people and ideas. Covers history and types of museums, the roles of objects and ideas, structure, function, museum workers and users, and the purpose and future of museums.

• LIS 60701 Museum Collections

  • This course introduces students to the organization, care and meaning of objects held in museum collections. Through both theoretical and practical concepts, basic collection management and registration skills are introduced. In conjunction, students explore the meanings made of museum objects.​

• LIS 60702 Museum Communication

  • Museums communicate to the public in a multitude of ways: interpretation, exhibition, publication, educational programming and using a web presence. This course introduces important concepts, theories, applications, processes and technology used in museum interpretation and communication. Students are provided with a balance of practical techniques with thoughtful conceptual exploration.​

• LIS 60703 Museum Users

  • Families, individuals and students visit museums and community institutions for a variety of purposes including leisure, education and curiosity. Introduction to the research and theory on museum user experience. Inquiry involves examining notions of learning, engagement, and transformative experiences of users, characteristics of users and the social dynamics of the museum experience. In addition, reviews several programmatic techniques and methods used in museums to increase engagement and learning for patrons.​

• LIS 60704 The Museum System

  • Museums are by their very nature complex and dynamic systems composed of people, objects and activities. Comprised of an “outer” subsystem and an “inner” subsystem, the museum as a whole functions as an organic body, with all of its parts working together to function successfully. This system exists within a larger landscape, one filled increasingly with new types of interactions, unlimited access and constant feedback. This course explores this holistic system from both practical and conceptual viewpoints, examining the role of administration throughout the system as well as considering current issues such as sustainability, advocacy and relationships with community and users add to an overall understanding of the museum system.

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Elective Courses:​

• UXD 60001 UXD Principles and Concepts

  • Students explore the context in which User Experience Design exists and the various methods employed by designers in various fields related to design research, the generation of ideas and implementation of designs. Students are introduced to methods of design evaluation and to the conceptual framework of the related curricula.​

• LIS 61096 Independent Investigation

  • Research or individual investigation for master's level graduate students. (I used this course to work with my thesis advisor to prepare for researching and writing my thesis.)

• THAR 51095 Global Experience Athens (Study Abroad Spring 2019)

  • Looking through the lenses of gender and sexuality, we will examine the theater texts and artistic expression throughout Greek history (art, sculpture, fashion, performance, etc.). This examination will then extend to a discussion of the cultural and other contexts that affect these expressions and a further discussion of how they led to our current ways of thinking in this regard.​

• LIS  60692 Practicum Lib/info centers

  • Supervised library or information center work experience of a professional nature of not less than 100 clock hours, directed readings and preparation of a paper.​ (I interned in the Kent State University MuseLab working with other graduate students to create and install an exhibit.)

• LIS 50693 Workshop: Designing Successful Grant Projects

  • The workshop will demonstrate the basics of grant writing and provide a discussion of program themes that have been written into grant applications. These areas will include digital technology, and programs dealing with specific populations, limited to children, adult literacy, older adults, people with disabilities.  ​

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Final requirement:

• LIS 60199 Thesis I

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