LIS 535 - Advanced Topics in the Organization of Knowledge

LIS 535 - Advanced Topics in the Organization of Knowledge

Course Description

Fall  

Calendar Description:

An examination of the principles and practice of indexing, abstracting, thesaurus construction, metadata, or other topics relevant to the organization of knowledge.

Objectives and Contents:

• To examine and apply the principles of indexing, abstracting and subject analysis.
• To examine and apply the principles of thesaurus construction and use.
• To examine thesaurus applications in new indexing environments such as subject gateways, portals and digital libraries
• To examine the role of metadata in organizing knowledge

This course explores the theory and practice of three core areas of information work: indexing & abstracting; thesaurus construction; and, the application of thesauri on the Web. The focus for all three areas is the application of principles for effective information retrieval.

Methods:

A combination of lectures, small group discussions, in-class and computer-based exercises, and computer demonstrations will be used throughout this course.  Where possible, guest lectures and/or special presentations will also be included.

Course Relationships: 

LIS 501 and 502 are prerequisites for this course.

 Readings:

Required Text:

 Cleveland, Donald B., and Ana D. Cleveland. 2001. Introduction to indexing and abstracting. 3^rd ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

Optional Text:
 Aitchison, Jean, Alan Gilchrist, and David Bawden. 2000. Thesaurus construction and use: A practical manual. 4^th ed. London: ASLIB/IMI.