Information Organization and Access

Course Description

Introduction to the organization of information and collections to enhance access. Topics include format choice, verification of appropriate sources, collection definitions, methods and systems of description, classification, and metadata assignment.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Describe the development and principles of the organization of recorded information. (PLO 1.7)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the standards, methods, and concepts related to information organization. (PLO 1.4)
  • Explain principles of access and retrieval tools such as inventories, bibliographies, catalogs, indexes, finding aids, registers, and other organizing entities. (PLO 1.6)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of cataloging, authority control, controlled vocabularies, indexing and abstracting, and classification. (PLO 1.3)
  • Articulate the importance of information organization and the roles of metadata in information organization. (PLO 1.4)
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of organizational tools. (PLO 2.2)
  • Examine current library issues and their impact on the organization of collections. (PLO 5.2)

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Assignment 1: Everyday information system 20%
Assignment 2: Comparing bibliographic records 10%
Assignment 3: Make a finding aid 10%
Assignment 4: Information Organization Standard Presentation 20%
Assignment 5: Information System Research Report 20%
Participation in discussion boards 20%

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance/participation is not a graded component included in the student's final grade for this course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.