| Louisiana State University |
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| School of Library and Information Science | ||
| Cavan McCarthy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor |
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SYLLABUS
LIS 7911, Special Topics. Web-based course. Mondays, Aug. 28 - Dec. 11, 2006. All work will be submitted electronically via Blackboard. Class notes will be posted by 5:30 p.m. on Mondays. Assignments will also be due by 5:30 p.m. on Mondays. There will be no formal class meetings and it will not be necessary to be online at specific times; the activities of this course do not clash with the schedule of any other course. 3 credits, Call # 6950.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An analysis of modern library and information systems, communication technologies and Internet in a global context and their impact on society, culture, economy, national sovereignty and daily life at an international level.
GENERAL NATURE OF THE COURSE
This course introduces students to a wide panorama of library and information services outside the United States. It enables them to make meaningful comparisons between the development of library and information services in different parts of the world. Participants will be familiarized with a variety of foreign software, databases, and Internet resources which are not commonly accessed from within the United States. Participants will have opportunities to study specific aspects of foreign library and information systems in depth.
COURSE GOALS
Demonstrate and exemplify the role and of information and communication systems, libraries, Internet, digital libraries and search engines within a global context.
Analyze the cultural, social and economic impacts of digital inclusion and information systems in an international context.
Develop amongst students an awareness of the problems involved in cross-cultural transfer and usage of information.
Demonstrate systems and software relevant to library and information activities, developed outside North America.
Give participants an awareness of the commercial, informational, copyright and social impacts of international library and information systems.
SCHEDULE
UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION
Aug. 28: Introduction: the international nature of library and information science.
(Sep. 4: LSU closed; Labor Day)
UNIT 2: INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION POLICY
Sep. 11: Aspects of library services in Europe.
Sep. 18: Library services in developing countries.
Sep. 25: Destruction and reconstruction of libraries.
Oct. 2: An international view of literature and censorship.
UNIT 3: LOOKING OUTWARDS
Oct. 9: Libraries and immigrants.
Oct. 16: Libraries and area studies. The international book trade. Outreach.
CASE STUDY 1: Due Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.: Case study of Units 1 or 2
UNIT 4: INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Oct. 23: Databases and development. Worldwide perspectives on library automation.
Oct. 30: Digital inclusion with special reference to developing countries.
UNIT 5: THE INTERNET AS A GLOBAL SYSTEM
Nov. 6: Global Internet.
Nov. 13: Information policy and the global Internet. The multilingual Internet.
CASE STUDY 2: Due Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m.: Case study of Units 3 or 4
UNIT 6: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES AND SEARCH ENGINES
Nov. 20: Digital libraries overseas.
Nov. 27: Foreign search engines.
UNIT 7: CONCLUSION
Dec. 4 (Final class): Conclusion; future perspectives in International Library and Information Science.
Dec. 11 Exam week. No formal exam, but:
CASE STUDY 3: Due Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Case study of Units 5 or 6
ASSIGNMENTS
Students will be expected to produce three case studies:
Case study 1: Units 1 or 2: possible topics include: libraries in a specific foreign country; a specific foreign library service; specific types of libraries overseas (national libraries, law libraries, special libraries, children's libraries), major recent foreign library buildings (e.g. The British Library, Bibliotheque Nationale de France Francois Mitterrand), foreign library association(s), foreign professional periodical(s), literary censorship in a foreign country; a foreign author who has suffered censorship.
Case study 2: Units 3 or 4: possible topics include: library services to immigrants (including library services to immigrants in the U.S.); libraries and area studies (including area studies in U.S. academic libraries and the overseas activities of the Library of Congress); publishing in a foreign country; foreign database and library automation activities; volunteer and outreach activities to foreign countries; digital inclusion overseas (digital inclusion for immigrants in the U.S. is also acceptable).
Case study 3: Units 5 or 6: Internet in a foreign country or group of countries; Internet information policy in a foreign country or group of countries; Multilingual Internet activities; a foreign digital library or digital libraries in a specific foreign country or group of countries; foreign search engine(s).
Individual work; text; Microsoft Word .doc file, typically 10-15 pages for each case study; absolute maximum length of a case study: 30 pages including all images and appendices; submit electronically via Blackboard.
REQUIRED READING
It will not be necessary to purchase a textbook for this course.
Readings will be available online.
GRADING SCHEME
Three case studies, 28% each.
Class participation: 16%. Students will be expected to participate in the Blackboard forums, discussing the readings and related resources.
BLACKBOARD
Course materials will be made available via the LSU "Blackboard" system.
Students should become familiar with the "General Orientation to Students" in the Blackboard "Course Information" area. This includes important information for students with disabilities.
The "Course Information" area also contains a "Grading Scale" and "Additional Notes to the Syllabus".
Suggested readings, lists of reserved books, etc. can be found in the "Bibliography" area of Blackboard.
Further details on assignments are in the "Assignments" area.
Course materials will be posted to the "Course Documents" area.
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