Information Studies Minor Courses for
Spring Semester 2013
LIB 3010 Topics in Information Studies
3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENG 2100
- INFORMATION FUTURES
Students will examine ideas about the impact of information on the future. The course will be structured around the speculative literature from the past and the present, and will engage students in a model of predictive research to imagine the impact of information on the future. The past, present, and future will be examined through three prisms: information artifacts, human activities, and societal structures (social, economic, cultural, and political). Visual media, fiction, and analytical resources will be used to discover how people and groups have thought about information and its capacity to change who we are and how we live. - LOCAL HISTORY DETECTIVE
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of how the history of a community can be revealed through the use of primary materials. From Colonial Times to the present, American settlers have had the foresight to save remnants of their history for future generations. In addition, independent historical societies and early museums, as well as local and federal governments have played significant roles in preserving the past. Specialized collections, real and virtual repositories, and the many kinds of sources valuable to local history research will be explored. - IMAGE AS INFORMATION: Image-Based information & Resources
This course examines theoretical principles and practical approaches to visual-based information retrieval, evaluation, and use in academic, professional, and daily-life activities. Students will gain a greater understanding and awareness of social, ethical, and structural issues related to participating in a visual-interactive information culture as informed producers/consumers(prosumers). Visual literacy and presumption literature concepts will be applied to exploring, creating, and evaluating image-based information and resources.
LIB 3020 Principles of Information Retrieval
3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENG 2100
This course teaches the theoretical and practical principles of information retrieval in an online environment. Students will learn the necessary skills to become expert-level searchers. Techniques and concepts for formulating effective search strategies for a range of information needs and formats will be examined. Students will have opportunities for hands-on practice and experimenting with a variety of online systems and explore current and emerging challenges in information retrieval.
LIB 3032 Economics of Information
3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENG 2100
This course examines economic theories and analyses that have been applied to the information market and the issues on the uniqueness of information in contemporary society. Topics include asymmetry of information in various markets, demand and supply in the information market (such as the publishing market in New York City), production and cost functions and cost-benefit analysis of information products and services, and information as a public good vs. information as a commodity.
LIB 3040 Information and Society
3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENG 2100
This course examines the nature, production, value and uses of information in historical perspective; the latest development in information technology; the ways information is produced and disseminated and how they affect business, politics, media, science, arts and culture; the growth of the "information society;" and major information policy issues. (Cross-listed with COM 3040 and PAF 3040 )
LIB 3065 (ENG 3065) Electronic Resources and Research Methods For Writers
3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENG 2150. CONTACT RANDY HENSLEY FOR PERMISSION TO REGISTER: 646-312-1609 OR Randy.Hensley@baruch.cuny.edu
This course explores the impact of information research on writing. Students develop proficiency in evaluating, identifying, and using relevant print, electronic, and Internet sources to locate the business, government, biographical, political, social, and statistical information necessary for in-depth journalistic reportage and other forms of research.
LIB 4900 Social Informatics: Studies in the Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Information
3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENG 2150 and two 3000-level LIB courses, or permission of the department. This course serves as the capstone course for students who have completed two 3000-level courses chosen from the course listings for the minor in Information Studies.
Social informatics can be defined as the study of the production, distribution and consumption of information from social and organizational perspectives. In this course, students will analyze systems of information in context to gain insight into the basic principles of social informatics, as well as relevant social and moral issues. This course satisfies the capstone requirement of the Tier III Library Minor.
Additional courses offered by the Library that are not part of the above Minor
LIB 1015 Information Research in Social Sciences and Humanities
3 hours; 3 credits.
This introduction to the nature, sources, and uses of printed and computerized information for study and problem solving develops students' abilities in systematic approaches to analyzing information need, information searching, and evaluation and organization of data. Students learn to prepare bibliographies, literature reviews, term papers, and research reports in social sciences and humanities disciplines. (Not open to students who have taken LIB 1016.)
LIB 1016 Information Research in Business
3 hours; 3 credits.
This introduction to the nature, sources, and uses of printed and computerized information for study and problem solving develops students' abilities in systematic approaches to analyzing information need, information searching, and evaluation and organization of data. Students learn to prepare bibliographies, literature reviews, term papers, and research reports in business disciplines. (Not open to students who have taken LIB 1015.)
For more information, Contact Professor Randy Hensley at 646-312-1609
