School of Information Resources and Library Science
IRLS 622

Advanced Information Resources: The Humanities
Summer II 2001

Instructor: Dr. Edmund F. SantaVicca
Office & Phone: TBA
Email: ed.santavicca@pcmail.maricopa.edu
Office hours: TBA
Class time: 7-8:45am M-F, 9 July - 8 August

Course description: Analysis of information needs of subject specialists. Study of the evaluation of information exchange and sources.

The dynamics of information resources and services in the humanities. Disciplines and subject areas to be covered include: philosophy; religion, mythology, folklore; art and architecture; music; language, linguistics and literature; performing arts, including theatre, dance and related areas.

Services discussed will include: resource development; special populations; professional training and services; web initiatives; trends and issues, including censorship, political correctness, revisionist history, etc.

Course objectives: Upon completion of the course, each student should:

  1. be familiar with the scope and structure of the disciplines that comprise the humanities;
  2. be able to critically evaluate new reference resources that are subject-specific to the humanities;
  3. have a basic knowledge of the organization of knowledge in the humanities, as regards library classification schemes, subject headings, databases, etc.;
  4. be knowledgeable of communication patterns, publishing , and user information needs relevant to the humanities;
  5. be aware of current trends and issues that affect the parameters of information resources and services in the humanities.

Textbook: None. The instructor will provide a list of readings as appropriate.

Methodology: Discussion, lecture, individual and group exercises.

Course grade: The grade for the course is based upon a number of factors and assignments:

Given the structure of this course, it is important that students be at every class meeting. Absence from more than two class sessions will automatically result in the lowering of a grade by one full letter.


IRLS 622 Dr. SantaVicca

Summer II 2001

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
9 July Introduction to course
  Explanation of assignments
  Review of due dates
  Introductions
10 July Overview of information resources & services in the humanities
11 July Philosophy (Questions due)
12 July Religion, Mythology & Folklore (Questions due)
13 July Religion, Mythology & Folklore
   
16 July Art and Architecture (Questions due)
17 July Art and Architecture
18 July Music (Questions due)
19 July Music
20 July Review of issues raised to date
   
23 July Language and Linguistics (Questions due)
24 July Literature (Questions due)
25 July Literature
26 July Literature (Questions due)
27 July Literature
   
30 July Performing Arts (Questions due)
31 July Performing Arts
1 August Resource development in the humanities
2 August Professional training and services
3 August Special populations & needs
  ***FINAL PROJECT DUE***
   
6 August Web resources & electronic databases (not previously covered)
7 August Trends and issues
8 August Trends and issues

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE

ON THE DATE INDICATED

 

 

IRLS 622 Dr. SantaVicca

Summer II 2001

ASSIGNMENTS

Questions

For each discipline examined, you will be given a list of 15-20 reference questions, for which you will need to find the answer. You should try to answer most of these questions by yourself. If you still can not find the answer, consult with one or more of your classmates. Do not seek the assistance of a librarian/information specialist.

Your completed assignment should include:

    1. the answer to the question
    2. a complete and accurate citation of the resource you consulted

Final Project

Choose one of the two projects described below.

WEBLIOGRAPHY PROJECT

Create a 20-25 item annotated webliography of resources for a particular discipline or sub-discipline. This should include only resources that are have been created uniquely on the World Wide Web, or that are web-accessible. Do not include any electronic resources that are not web-accessible. If the web resource you use is also available in other formats, that should be indicated in your annotation.

Please include, and arrange in logical user-friendly order, a variety of resources that include encyclopedias, directories, biographies, bibliographies, other webliographies, dictionaries, etc., as well as any other resources that might be unique to that discipline.

For each resource included, please provide:

    1. A complete and accurate citation
    2. A descriptive and evaluative annotation of no more than 150 words.

or

PATHFINDER PROJECT

Create a 20-25 item annotated guide to resources (in any format) on a specific and narrow topic (individual, genre, concept, school of thought, event, etc.). The pathfinder should define the limitations placed on the topic.

For each resource included, please provide:
    1. A complete and accurate citation
    2. A descriptive and evaluative annotation of no more than 150 words

NOTE: These projects must be submitted to the instructor in both paper and electronic formats.