Courses taken at the University of Washington Information School.

Note: All course descriptions taken from the Information School Time Schedule

Autumn 2006

LIS 500 The Life Cycle of Information
Overview of the major concepts, processes and systems, actors, and operations in the life cycle of information. Introduction to the creation, publishing and distribution, evaluation and selection, organization, access, retrieval, and use of information. Exploration of the social context in which these processes and their stakeholders interact.

LIS 510 Information Behavior
Introduction to the user-centered approach to information behavior. Theoretical foundations of various information behaviors such as information need, utilizing, gathering, seeking, and evaluating. Synthesis of user studies, construction of user profiles, performance of gap analysis, and application of the results of user studies to improve services and system design.

LIS 520 Information Resources, Services, and Collections
Concepts, processes, and skills related to parts of the life cycle of knowledge involving creation, production, distribution, selection, collection, and services to facilitate access. Specific discussion topics include characteristics of recorded knowledge; organizations and services devoted to managing access to recorded knowledge; principles associated with development of recorded knowledge and collections.

Winter 2007

LIS 505 Archival and Manuscript Services
Selection, organization, and uses of archival and manuscript collections. Emphasis on the principles and techniques; some attention to the administration of state archival and historical institutions' collections. Lecture, demonstration, and laboratory.

LIS 530 Organization of Information and Resources
Introduction to issues in organization of information and documents including: analysis of intellectual and physical characteristics of documents; principles and practice in surrogate creation, including standards and selection of metadata elements; theory of classification, including semantic relationships and facet analysis; creation of controlled vocabularies; and display and arrangement.

LIS 550 Information in Social Context
Concepts, processes, and issues related to the larger social context within which the life cycle of knowledge is played out. Discussion topics include intellectual freedom, information as public/private good, intellectual property, privacy, confidentiality, information liability, information and telecommunications policy, the economics of information, and other professional values.

Spring 2007

LIS 507 Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials
Consideration of the many factors contributing to the physical vulnerability of library materials of all kinds and an overview of resources and strategies for those who determine preservation policy or manage the application of such policy. No technical background necessary.

LIS 531 Catalogs, Cataloging, and Classification
Develops an understanding of library catalogs as information retrieval systems. Introduces library cataloging and classification. Focus on principles and standards in the creation of catalogs and cataloging records. Includes practice in descriptive and subject cataloging and classification. User perspective emphasized throughout.

Autumn 2007

LIS 560 Instructional and Training Strategies for Information Professionals
Develops knowledge and skills in instruction and training functions for library and information settings. Issues and strategies for learning and teaching. Design, development, and evaluation of information and technology literacy programs. Addresses the needs of users when designing and delivering instruction.

LIS 570 Research Methods
Research as a process from problem definition and formulation of questions to design, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Students recognize research opportunities, translate them into researchable frameworks, design research projects, and implement results in libraries and other information agencies.

Winter 2008

LIS 515 Ecological Information Systems
Introduction to cognitive work analysis framework. Prepares for active role in design and evaluation of information systems. Familiarization with basic concepts of cognitive systems engineering and practice in field study, data analysis, and transforming field findings into requirements for the design of an information system.

LIS 533 Advanced Cataloging and Classification
In-depth theory and practice in library cataloging and classification. Includes introduction to cataloging materials in a variety of formats.

Spring 2008

LIS 580 Management for Information Organizations
Introduction to internal and external management issues and practices in information organizations. Internal issues include organizational behavior, organizational theory, personnel, budgeting, planning. External issues include organizational environments, politics, marketing, strategic planning, funding sources.

Autumn 2008

INFX 501 Concepts in Algorithmic Thinking for Information
Presents programming concepts in the context of information science including the concepts of the algorithm, data storage, expressions, syntax, logic, objects, commands, and events. Introduces the algorithmic manipulation of information objects, and the mindset and methods of computer programming and application development.

INFX 502 Database Concepts for Information Professionals
Introduces the terminology and concepts of working with relational database management systems. Emphasizes working with tables and extracting information from data using Structures Query Language (SQL) commands and tools

INFX 503 Website Design Concepts for Information Professionals
Introduces the context and construction of websites presenting an integrated understanding of we design principles, information behavior, and technical skills. Emphasizes the roll of markup in information display and organization, the development of large sites, web strategy, and site construction.

INFX 504 Networking and Network Applications for Information Professionals
Introduces the concepts, terminology and technologies of digital networks, including how networks operate and the influence networks have on the workplace and society. Includes preparation to think critically about the impacts of networking technologies on organizations, work groups and information systems

LIS 568 Information Literacy for Teaching and Learning
Explores theories, process, and practical applications of information literacy. Examines the development of information literacy programs for libraries, community agencies, business, education or other information settings. Explores integral relationship between technology and information literacy, and continual evaluation.

Winter 2009

LIS 590 Directed Fieldwork
Minimum of 100 hours, maximum of 200 hours of professional, supervised fieldwork in a library or professional information setting. Fieldwork is a one-quarter experience; however, this may be repeated in a different setting with a different set of learning objectives for a subsequent quarter.

Spring 2009

INFX 543 Conceptual Database Design
Relational database design and development theory, concepts, and skills. Traditional transactional database theory, architecture, and implementation in a user-centered systems context using SQL. Introduces database modeling, security, and privacy issues.

LIS 565 Children's Materials: Evaluation and Use
Library materials for children from infancy through elementary grades. Focus on resources in all media that serve informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the young. Focuses on standard bibliographies and other resources designed to meet informational needs of adults serving children.