Organization of Information
IRLS515
This is a core course for the SIRLS Masters degree. There are no course prerequisites.
Official Course Description
Introduction to the theories and practices used in the organization of information. Overview
of national and international standards and practices for access to information
in collections.
Specific Course Description
We will study the history, theories, and practices in the organization of recorded information, print and digital. An introductory course, IRLS 515 will survey the information and knowledge organization techniques that exist or are emerging, such as controlled vocabularies and the Semantic Web. We will focus on standards and tools that are used in large text-based information environments. We will approach these fascinating topicsthrough readings, lectures, discussions and hands-on exercises. We will be using the
D2L (Desire to Learn) learning support system. All course related materials can
be found there.
The main goal of the course is to help students
become familiar with the concepts and practices of bibliographic and
non-bibliographic information organization and to nurture students’ interests
in exploring this field further. By the end of the course, the student will be
able to:
- Understand the existing and new challenges involved in organization of information.
- Define a number of approaches that have been used to organize information in different settings and for different purposes.
- Compare and contrast the range of information organization approaches.
- Describe the main theories of information organization in library settings.
- Demonstrate basic skills in controlled vocabulary creation.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of at least two metadata standards.
- Demonstrate basic skills in database construction.
- Articulate the similarities and differences between foundational concepts such as a thesaurus, ontology, authority file, subject heading list, and library classification scheme
- Taylor, Arlene. 2004. The Organization of Information. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
- Other required course readings will be online.
Students will complete five assignments valued at 15 points each. Assignments to be completed by a pair of students are marked with
a (P).
- Encoding Standards
- Metadata Schema
- Controlled Vocabulary
- Database
- (P) Metadata Crosswalk
Students will also complete exercises worth a total of 15 points.
Participation is worth 10 points.
Academic Code of Integrity
Students are expected to abide by The University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity. 'The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own.' If you have any questions regarding what is acceptable practice under this Code, please ask an Instructor.
Accommodating Disabilities
The University has a Disability Resource Center. If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center and request that the DRC send me, the Instructor, official notification of your accommodation needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.Assignment Policies
Students are expected to log in to the course a few times a week and keep up with the readings and discussion.
All assignments and exercises must be turned in using the D2L DropBox link. Please DO NOT submit your work outside D2L to avoid losing your assignments. Assignments and exercises will not be accepted after the deadlines given in the assignment descriptions, except in documented emergencies.
HTML format must be used for all written assignments and exercises.
Incompletes
The instructor does not grant incompletes except in documented emergencies.
The current Catalog reads
The grade of I may be awarded only at the end of a term, when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. The grade of I is not to be awarded in place of a failing grade or when the student is expected to repeat the course; in such a case, a grade other than I must be assigned. Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incomplete grade before the end of the term ...
If the incomplete is not removed by the instructor within one year the I grade will revert to a failing grade.
The instructor uses a points system. Students begin the course with 100 points.
Course grades will be assigned as follows:
A=90+ (Superior Work)
B=80-89 (Very Good)
C=70-79 (Marginally Satisfactory)
F=0-69 (Failed to meet requirements)
Cheryl Knott Malone
ckmalone at d2l.arizona.edu
Office hours: 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays and by phone and email
