Library Science

 LIB 5000 Foundations of Library Science (3 credit hours)

 An introduction to the library and information science field, this course will cover the history, development, and evolution of libraries and their diverse roles in society. It will also provide grounding in relevant policy, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations involving foundational issues such as privacy rights, freedom of expression, equal access, copyright, and intellectual property. Finally, current cultural and social trends and conversations impacting libraries will be explored.

 LIB 5010 Collection Development (3 credit hours)

 This course outlines the concepts, process, practices, policies, and issues related to developing and managing collections to meet user needs in libraries. Intellectual freedom and the basics of copyright law and fair use are also examined.

 LIB 5030 Organization of Information (3 credit hours)

 This course examines the skills and knowledge necessary for today’s librarians to process and organize all types of media and information formats, including print, non-print, and electronic resources. Descriptive and value-added cataloging, MARC records, Resource Description and Access, virtual libraries, union catalogs, digital information sources and storage devices, automated cataloging systems, folksonomies and social classification, indexing, subject heading lists, classification systems and current organizational practices, and theories and rules are explored and evaluated.

 LIB 5040 Strategic Administration of School Media Resources and Services (3 credit hours)

 Theories of management and leadership are explored and applied in the planning and administration of school library media centers, including access, budgeting, staffing, professional development, facilities design, public relations and community outreach (global and local), policies and procedures, and grant writing.

 LIB 5070 Integrating Media and Literature into Instruction (3 credit hours)

 This course will consider the learning theories and best practices to collaboratively plan and integrate instruction in schools utilizing literature and media. Topics include understanding student developmental levels and diversity, assessment, alignment with standards, instructional design and teaching strategies, resource selection, multiple literacies, and research processes.

Elective (3 credit hours)

 MTL 5240 Designing Digital Learning (3 credit hours)

 Students will engage in an exploration of a variety of design issues related to student-centered learning. Topics will include surveying instructional design models, examining the theoretical and pedagogical research base that informs the design of authentic learning contexts, identifying relevant instructional and assessment strategies, and utilizing the appropriate digital tools and media to develop innovative instructional environments.

 MTL 5310 New Media and Emerging Literacies (3 credit hours)

 This course requires students to analyze and evaluate the role of new media, technologies, and literacies for individuals, societies, and cultures. Emphasis is placed on understanding the form and language of a variety of texts, including print and non-print. Students develop perspectives regarding the socio-cultural contexts of media production, dissemination, consumption, interpretation, and effects, including an examination of media representations in both local and global contexts. Students will synthesize theoretical knowledge of literacies by using and creating with new media and technologies for multiple audiences and perspectives.

 MTL 5330 Social Media, Network Communications, and Digital Culture (3 credit hours)

 This course engages students in examining the design and implementation of networked systems, including not only technical infrastructures and physical hardware, but also online systems and social networking structures, including personal learning networks and learning management systems. Within this context, students will examine social, ethical, and legal issues in the context of information systems and algorithms.

 MTL 5350 Societal & Legal Issues in Digital Learning (3 credit hours)

 The advancement of digital technologies and their inclusion in learning environments cause myriad social, legal, and ethical considerations. In this course, students will focus on the intersection of these considerations with existing policy and law. Topics include privacy, selection of instructional materials, digital identity, copyright/fair use, intellectual property, and cyberbullying/harassment.

 MTL 5450 Accessibility, Equity, and Inclusion in Media and Technology (3 credit hours)

 This course provides a critical orientation to issues of accessibility, equity, and inclusion in media, technology, and learning design. Students will examine, analyze, and evaluate matters related to the structures and impacts of technology on gender, race, ability, and other differentials. Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills in using, consuming, and designing with media and technology, applying accessibility strategies to improve access, expand inclusion, and enhance opportunities for diverse perspectives.

 MTL 5550 Technology, Leadership, and Change (3 credit hours)

 This course provides prospective technology leaders the skills and dispositions to continuously improve organizations through the application of digital media and technologies. Participants will explore leadership theory and the change management process, including needs assessment, planning, evaluation of, and advocacy for digital initiatives.

LIB 5080 Collaborative Media Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credit hours)

 Concepts and current practices related to planning, implementing, and evaluating a media program as an integral part of the school.

 LIB 5195 Critical Issues in Literature and Media (3 credit hours)

 Through readings, discussions, guest speakers and written assignments, students will become familiar with and formulate positions on the most critical issues of the children and youth literature field including national and international issues, ethnic and diversity issues, peace and social justice issues, new digital formats, age appropriateness, professional associations and awards, needs of children vs. needs of publishers, and determination of quality in fiction and nonfiction.

 LIB 5520 Capstone (3 credit hours)

 This course provides students the opportunity to reflect on their learning throughout the program by exploring how their work reflects the program's learning objectives.  Students will engage in the development of a portfolio that they will be able to use in their professional careers.

 LIB 5900 Internship/Practicum (3-6 credit hours)

 Planned and supervised observation and practice in an approved library or other information service agency. A 45-hour field experience for each semester hour of credit to be earned will be planned by the student in conjunction with the supervising librarian and the university supervisor. Placement is made only with advice and approval of the advisor. 

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 LIB 5910 Applications of Librarianship Standards (3-6 credit hours)

 This course provides field-based experiences related to applications of librarianship standards.

 MTL 5440 Exploring Critical Issues and Opportunities in Media and Technologies (3 credit hours)

 This course identifies existing and emerging media and technologies with a focus on considering innovative uses for various professional settings. Students will engage in hands-on exploration of technologies making arguments for their uses in myriad contexts. Course topics will change as technologies advance and become adopted in professional settings.

 RES 5000 Research Methods (3 credit hours)

 The primary purpose of this course is to enable practitioners to read, interpret, and conduct research aimed at improving their practice in their professions. The course includes a study of research methods, encompassing those used in action research, experimental, non-experimental, and qualitative research, evaluation, and policy analysis designs.