Elective Courses

LIS 121 Literature & Related Resources for Children
A survey of books and other materials for children, with emphasis on selection criteria, developing evaluation skills, familiarity with award-winning titles and book presentation. Requires fieldwork.
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 125 Library Materials & Services for Young Children*
Materials and services for the young child (infant through preschool), Theories underlying services.  Selection, analysis and presentation of books, and other appropriate materials. Requires fieldwork.
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 127 Library Services for Children
Serving children in the public library, with emphasis on user needs, storytelling skills,  programming, information services, policies and guidelines, and maintaining collections. Requires fieldwork.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 128 Library Services for Young Adults
Serving young adults in  the public library, with emphasis on user needs, book talk skills, programming, information services, policies and guidelines, and maintaining collections. Requires fieldwork. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 153 Information Sources in Religion*
Reference works, Internet sources, publishing, and libraries in the field of religion. Treatment of religion in general information sources; specialized concordances, bibliographies, indexes. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 210 Government Information Sources*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Government information resources at the local, state, national, and international levels. Selection, organization, and dissemination; changes in distribution policies and format.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 213 Popular Culture & the Young Adult
An exploration of contemporary, popular entertainment media oriented toward and accepted by adolescents, with emphasis on film, television, music, magazines, and the Internet. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 216 Youth Literature: A Critical Approach (Cf. EDU 3222)*
An examination of selected books for children and young adults, with emphasis on the study of literary elements and the application of critical analysis.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 217 Multimedia and Technology Resources for School Media Centers
Prerequisites: LIS 204, LIS 205, LIS 212
The knowledge and skills to select, plan, produce, and implement various forms of multimedia and technology in the educational process in order to deliver effective academic programs K-12. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 222 Materials and Services to Diverse Populations*
Information needs of diverse populations, including the aged, illiterate, individuals with disabilities, and racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 223 Preservation Technology in Library and Information Science*
Preservation techniques for materials in collections; basic structure and weaknesses; diagnostic and treatment practices;  application of appropriate and creative solutions to preservation problems. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 224 Language Structure & Thesaurus Development
Applied linguistics for information organization and retrieval, with focus on the design of structured controlled vocabularies (thesauri) for indexing and searching.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 225 Classification Schemes and Information Architecture
Classification schemes for arrangement of physical and virtual collections; distinctions between classification and categorization and folk taxonomies. Analysis and design of  information architecture of Web sites. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 226 Literature & Related Resources for Young Adults (Cf. EDU 3226)
A survey of books and other materials for young adults, with emphasis on selection criteria, developing evaluation skills, familiarity with award-winning titles and book presentation. Requires fieldwork.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 228 Indexing and Abstracting
Prerequisites: LIS 203 or LIS 204 
Theory/methods of information analysis for retrieval. Subject analysis, abstract preparation, vocabulary control methods/devices, specialized systems, machine-aided and automated indexing. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 229 Computer Programming Applications for Library & Information Science
The fundamentals of designing ‘large’ computing applications. UML modeling methods are introduced and applied to Library processes, such as acquisitions, cataloging, and circulation. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 230 Introduction to Digital Libraries
The contextual framework for digital libraries including the creation, structure, access and use of digital information. Analysis of digital library projects. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 231 College & University Libraries
Academic library administration, planning, staffing, and evaluation. The history of higher education and the college library in the U.S. The impact of demographic and social changes on the provision of service. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 232 Special Libraries & Information Centers
The goals, organization, operation, environment, functions, and services of special libraries/information centers; collection issues, user services, management, and marketing. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 233 Public Libraries & Community Information Centers
The objectives, organization, and services of contemporary public libraries , including the ways in which they  serve diverse communities and reach underserved populations Field trips may be required. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 234 School Library Media Center Management
Prerequisite: LIS 204, LIS 205, LIS 211, LIS 217
Administration of the academic program, services, collection, staff, and budget of the school library media center. Planning, research, and evaluation methods for compliance with state and national standards. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 235 Advanced Cataloging Metadata for Libraries*
Prerequisite: LIS 203
Special problems in the organization of print and non-print materials and electronic resources, with emphasis on authority control and metadata for resource description and retrieval.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 236 Systems Analysis & Library Automation
Design, selection, implementation and management of automated library systems, including integrated systems for acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, and management of information resources. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.
 
LIS 237 Metadata for Information Professionals*
Metadata applications in a variety of information environments, libraries, archives, museums, and information centers. Major metadata schemes, encoding standards, and structures. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 238 Web Design for Libraries & Information Centers
An information architecture approach to the design of web sites for large enterprises. Topics include information content, organization, labeling, navigation, searching, usability, and accessibility.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 240 Management of Libraries and Information Centers
Leadership and management principles relating to the operation of libraries and other information enterprises. Leading, planning, evaluating, staffing, housing, equipping, and financing. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 245 History of Books & Printing
Evolution of the book, including the history of writing, print/presses, type design, and illustrations; characteristics of vellum, paper, ink; book composition, binding, materials and methods. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 246 Practical Conservation & Preservation of Library Materials*
A practical approach to the principles and applications of conservation and preservation of library materials as daily functions of library management, including digital techniques. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 247 Networks in Library & Information Science*
Introduction to the tools, resources, and information systems available through networks linked by the Internet. Network architecture, local area networks and bibliographical utilities are explored. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 248 Database Management Systems
The fundamental concepts and issues of database management systems. Topics include entity and relationship modeling, SQL, relational database design, data integrity, and XML. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 249 Archives & Manuscripts: Basic Functions & Current Issues
Management of archives and manuscript repositories, including basic functions and skills required of an archivist or curator of manuscripts as well as current issues and topics.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 250 Information Sources in the Arts & Humanities*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Evaluation, selection and use of print and electronic (esp. digitized) resources in the arts and humanities (philosophy, religion, literature, the fine arts, the performing arts, and film). 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 251 Information Sources in the Social & Behavioral Sciences
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Evaluation, selection, and use of print and electronic resources in the social and behavioral sciences (sociology, history, government, education, psychology, anthropology, business, economics). 
Credit: 3 semester hours.
 
LIS 252 Information Sources in Science & Technology*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
The structure and literature of scientific and technical communication. Print and electronic references are examined. A background in the sciences is not required or assumed. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 254 Legal Research I*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
A foundation course in legal research. The law-making process, primary and secondary sources of the law in print and online, effective research strategies, and proper citation form. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 255 Information Sources in Business and Economics*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Print and electronic information resources and services in business, economics, finance, and related literature.  Organization, administration, and services of business libraries/information centers. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 256 Medical Information & Librarianship*
Prerequisite: LIS 205 
Major reference works and Internet resources in health sciences as well the administration and organization of medical libraries, with emphasis on the National Library of Medicine. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 261 Information Sources and Services for Children and Young Adults*
Non-fiction and reference sources and services in school and public libraries as they relate to curriculum support and information literacy. Focus on the child as reference interview participant/learner. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 262 Advanced Information Sources & Services
Prerequisite: LIS 205
In-depth examination of reference sources and services. Emphasis on the historical and continuing role of print resources; e-reference; impact of Google; information behavior, and information literacy. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 263 Information Ethics*
The ethical challenges experienced by information providers in the past and present: possible ethical dilemmas of the digital future. How information providers make choices in a variety of contexts.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 264 International Librarianship
History, development, and current status of libraries worldwide.  Poverty, literacy, information access, the impact of war and natural disasters, information policies, and intellectual and financial limitations.  
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 265 Online Database Searching*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Study and use of online bibliographic databases in a wide variety of subject areas. Emphasis is on appropriate database selection, search strategies, and information delivery modes. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 267 Business Databases Online
Prerequisite: LIS 265
Survey of business databases; search strategies and techniques suitable for the business environment; hands-on experience with selected databases. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 268 Legal Research II
A second course (after LIS 254) in legal research. Students will be introduced to the lawmaking process, primary and secondary sources of the law in print and online, effective research strategies, and proper citation form. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 269A School Media Center Internship: Adolescent
Prerequisite: All courses and field experience (LIS 999A, LIS 999C)
A supervised professional experience combining theory and practice in a 7-12 school library media center. Meetings of participants are held and reports required. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 269C School Media Center Internship: Childhood
Prerequisite: All courses and field experience (LIS 999A, LIS 999C)

A supervised professional experience combining theory and practice in a K-6 school library media center. Meetings of participants are held and reports required. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 269B Internship
Prerequisite: All required courses and preferably all courses in the concentration
A supervised professional experience combining theory and practice in a library or information center.  Meetings and reports required; may be taken for a total of three credits. 
Credit: 1, 2, or 3 semester hours.

LIS 270 Colloquia
Current issues and trends in library and information science as well as other topics of current interest are presented by prominent outside speakers, alumni, and members of the faculty.  
No credit.

LIS 271 Special Topics in Library & Information Studies
A special topic on an issue not normally covered in the MLS curriculum will be examined in-depth.  The format will depend upon the topic to be covered. Offered occasionally. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 272 Exploring New York Libraries
Field trips to outstanding libraries of the New York metropolitan area that embody exceptional service, architecture, technology, and collections. Final project is required. Summer course. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 280 Telecommunications Technology and Policy*
Telecommunications applicable to library and information studies emphasizing communications hardware, data transmission, and network policies (federal regulation of the industry). 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 901 Special Research & Projects I
LIS 902 Special Research & Projects II
The formal presentation of a research paper or project (survey, history, bibliographic essay, etc.)  resulting from  investigation of a problem under the direction of a member of the faculty. 
Credit: 3 semester hours.

LIS 925 Maintaining Matriculation
Master’s students who are not registered for other courses must register for 925 until degree requirements are completed and the degree is granted. Fall-Spring only. 
No credit. Fee: $50
 
LIS 999A School Library Media Field Experience: Adolescent
LIS 999C School Library Media Field Experience: Childhood
Supervised observation in approved school settings. Must complete 50 hours at each level and complete seminars for internship eligibility (i.e., LIS 269A, LIS 269C). 
No credit; Fee: $25 per course

LIS 300 Field Experience
Prerequisites:  All required courses and preferably all courses in the concentration 
Fieldwork involving observation of professional activities in a library, information center, or archive setting. Resulting in a project that address an issue in the field. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 301 Government Information on the Web*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Electronic sources for government information at all levels.  Emphasis on Web sites and Internet portals providing access to the publications, periodicals, and databases of government agencies. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 302 Genealogical Sources and Services*
Prerequisite:  LIS 205
Sources and services to assist patrons with genealogical research.  Research methodology, conducting the reference interview, and the use and evaluation of print and electronic resources.  
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 303 Dublin Core Metadata*
Prerequisite: LIS 203
Goals, major concepts, and elements relating to the application of Dublin Core Metadata for information organization. Schemes, encoding standards, functions, syntax, content, and structure. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 304 Librarian as Teacher*
Prerequisite: LIS 205 
The role of the librarian as teacher; knowledge and skills necessary for instruction and training in library and information settings. Issues and strategies for effective instruction. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 305 Online Reference Service*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Electronic reference: email and chat services. Special circumstances, policies/ practices, copyright concerns, development of online training modules Participation in mock chat and email reference required. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 306 Fundamentals of Databases*
Prerequisite: LIS 204, LIS 205
Introduction to databases, including MS Access. Applications in libraries and information center settings. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 307 Introduction to Music Librarianship*
Prerequisite: LIS 205
Overview of reference sources and services, organization of information, and collection management for music libraries and collections. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 308 Book Index Structures: In Print and on the Web*
Prerequisite: LIS 204 or LIS 203
Preparation of book indexes, covering  indexable matter, structure of index entries, cross references, filing, format, and indexer-publisher relations. Manual and computer-assisted techniques. 
Credit: 1 semester hour.

LIS 309 Case Studies in Librarianship*
Prerequisite: LIS 204, LIS 205, LIS 211, and a management course
Problem-solving and decision-making strategies through the use of case studies addressing issues germane to public, academic and special libraries as well as archives and other information centers.  

*Offered upon sufficient demand
Credit: 1 semester hour.