School of Information Management & Systems
Previously School of Library & Information Studies
290-3
Concepts of Information Management.
Fall 1999.
2-3 units. CCN# 42844. Wednesdays 9-11. 107 South Hall.
Instructor:
Michael Buckland
203A South Hall. (510) 642 3159.
Scope: An examination of the central concepts in
Information Management:
Information, relevance, document, knowledge, sign, information society,
bibliography, metadata, a work,... The intent is enable students to
become familiar with the central ideas, assumptions, and vocabulary of
the field in an inclusive, critical, and historically-informed way, aware
of ambiguities, nuances, disputes, and intellectual problems. Credits
variable depending upon student needs.
Schedule.
Why take this course?
Examples of concepts.
Sources to use.
Readings.
Assignments:
1. Find "Information".
2. Me & Concepts.
3. Create Concept guides.
Others.
Introduction:
A field can advanced in two ways:
1. A "scientific" approach develops concepts and constructs
(and seeks to
refute) explanatory theories.
2. A "critical" approach examines the assumptions, arguments,
and values underlying existing concepts and theories.
We will be concerned with both, but especially the latter.
There will be some required readings, lectures, guests,
and discussion of useful
sources,
but most of the students'
time will devoted to the preparation of "Concept guides" on concepts
and words that
interest them. In this way students will be able to investigate topics
that interest them, prepare doctoral fields, and complement other
course work
in an integrative way.
Much of the class time will be spent in discussion of the concept
guides, of questions that arise in their preparation, and the nature of
the field as a whole.
Format: Assigned reading (typically one article for week);
Lectures, typically a briefing a topical area or a source;
Informal progress reports on "concept guides";
Talks by guests;
Discussion.
Expectations of students:
Attendance, participation, careful writing, timeliness.
Go to
Concepts page or
History page.