Courses - Spring 2026
INST
Information Studies
INST104
What is design, who does it, and how is it done? There is no one answer to this question--it depends on who you ask. The answers to these questions vary across disciplines and across the University campus. This course, designed with modules from contributors in UMD programs including Information Studies, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Immersive Media Arts, Journalism, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, and Policy, will introduce students to the goals and values, approaches, skills, and practices of diverse fields of design. It will enable students to identify grand challenges in design and serve as a sorting hat to help students find a design practice that matches their own values, approaches, skills and goals.
INST123
Databases for All
Restriction: Must not have completed or be currently taking INST327 or BMGT402.
An introduction to relational databases for students with no previous programming experience. Provides a means for students of diverse backgrounds to successfully learn how to store, retrieve, and maintain data in relational databases. Topics include a brief comparison of database systems with an emphasis on relational databases, fundamental relational database concepts, and data types. Includes technical approaches to accessing information stored in relational databases.
INST126
Introduction to Programming for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Math placement of STAT100 or higher.
Restriction: Must not have completed INST326; and must be in Information Science, Technology and Information Design, or Social Data Science programs.
An introduction to computer programming for students with very limited or no previous programming experience. Topics include fundamental programming concepts such as variables, data types, assignments, arrays, conditionals, loops, functions, and I/O operations.
INST152
"Fake Checking": Battling Misinformation and Disinformation in the Real World
Examining the phenomenon of "fake news" using the principles of information literacy, students will develop their skills in locating, analyzing, and evaluating different information sources -- in the classroom, in their personal lives, and in the workplace.
INST155
Credit only granted for: INFM289I or INST155.
Formerly: INFM289I.
Introduces methods for analyzing and understanding how people use social media - social networking websites, blogging and microblogging, and other forms of online interaction and content generation - and their societal implications. Introduces students to the science and social science of network analysis. Through real world examples, including analysis of their own social networks, students develop skills for describing and understanding the patterns and usage of services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others.
INST201
Introduction to Information Science
Credit only granted for: INST201 or INST301.
Formerly: INST301.
Examining the effects of new information technologies on how we conduct business, interact with friends, and go through our daily lives. Understanding how technical and social factors have influenced the evolution of information society. Evaluating the transformative power of information in education, policy, and entertainment, and the dark side of these changes.
INST204
Credit only granted for: INST208D or INST204.
Formerly: INST208D.
Reviews how specific values are built into different automated decision-making systems as an inevitable result of constructing mechanisms meant to produce specific outcomes. These values create differential outcomes for the different people enmeshed in these systems, but both these values and these systems can be changed to support different values and different outcomes. The class serves as an introduction to the emerging field of algorithmic bias that bridges the disciplines of information science, computer science, law, policy, philosophy, sociology, urban planning, and others.
INST210
The Nuts & Bolts of Getting Hired
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program, Technology and Information Design program, or Social Data Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST208C or INST210.
Formerly: INST208C.
Have you thought about finding an internship, getting a job, or starting your career? Perhaps you're confused about how to begin. Welcome to The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Hired, where you'll learn the skills necessary to develop your professional tool kit and obtain the internship or job that can help you build the career you want. This course will help you prepare for the next step in your career by exploring the following topics: Identifying your career goals, mastering the skills of crafting a professional resume, effective interviewing, strategic networking, and professional communication.
INST227
Fundamentals of Academic Peer Mentoring in Information Studies
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Permission of the College of Information Studies.
Students will be exposed to scholarship of teaching and learning in support of developing applied skills to support active learning as an iSchool academic peer mentor. Students will learn to effectively coach and support the performance of other people. Guided online and face-to-face participation will culminate in a portfolio of teaching activities and professional development.
INST228
Academic Peer Mentor Experience in Information Science; Academic Peer Mentor Experience in Information Science
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
INST309
Independent Study in Information Science
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg
INST311
Information Organization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program.
Examines the theories, concepts, and principles of information, information representation and organization, record structures, description, and classification. Topics to be covered in this course include the methods and strategies to develop systems for storage, organization, and retrieval of information in a variety of organizational and institutional settings, as well as policy, ethical, and social implications of these systems.
INST314
Statistics for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; and minimum grade of C- in STAT100, and MATH115 (or higher).
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Basic concepts in statistics including measure construction, data exploration, hypothesis development, hypothesis testing, pattern identification, and statistical analysis. The course also provides an overview of commonly used data manipulation and analytic tools. Through homework assignments, projects, and in-class activities, you will practice working with these techniques and tools to create information resources that can be used in individual and organizational decision-making and problem-solving.
INST320
Leadership in Collaborative Learning Communities for Information Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science, Technology and Information Design, or Social Data Science program; and permission of the INFO College.
This course is the experiential learning component for student leaders selected by the College of Information Studies to facilitate Guided Study Sessions. Student leaders plan and facilitate study sessions that supplement courses by providing additional opportunities to engage with the material. In this course, student leaders will explore and apply evidence-based learning strategies while developing an understanding of how we learn. Throughout this course you will apply principles of teaching and learning, group facilitation, and leadership into the design of your guided study session.
INST326
Object-Oriented Programming for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
An introduction to programming, emphasizing understanding and implementation of applications using object-oriented techniques. Topics to be covered include program design and testing as well as implementation of programs.
INST327
Database Design and Modeling
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST327 or BMGT402.
Introduction to databases, the relational model, entity-relationship diagrams, user-oriented database design and normalization, and Structured Query Language (SQL). Through labs, tests, and a project, students develop both theoretical and practical knowledge of relational database systems.
INST335
Organizations, Management and Teamwork
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from (INST201, INST301); and minimum grade of C- in PSYC100.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program.
Examines principles, methods and types of leadership with an emphasis on goal setting, motivation, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Examines principles of developing teams and managing team projects through planning and execution, including estimating costs, managing risks, scheduling, staff and resource allocation, communication, tracking, and control. Trains students to recognize and capitalize on opportunities to use information to increase efficiency, improve performance, and support innovation within teams and organizations. Focuses on strategic use of emerging technologies and new information resources to execute information-enabled change.
INST341
Introduction to Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed with a C- or higher, or be concurrently enrolled in INST311.
Restriction: Must be in Technology and Information Design or Information Science programs.
Explores various dimensions and contexts for digital curation, which includes all activities involving the management, representation and preservation of both born-digital and digitized information. Focuses on opportunities, challenges and demands of every-increasing digital data and networked information infrastructure.
INST346
Technologies, Infrastructure and Architecture
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST326 and INST327.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program; and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits.
Credit only granted for: INST346 or BMGT405.
Examines the basic concepts of computer hardware, systems software, networking, client/server architectures, cloud computing, distributed systems, and high performance computing as applied to information rich domains. Technology and architectures will be discussed within the contexts of solving social issues, supportingscience, and conducting business operations. Current computing topics such as web environments, IoT, security, management, and policy will also be reviewed.
INST347
Cloud Computing for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST346.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science major.
What is cloud computing? Where does cloud computing occur? How can we use cloud computing to solve problems and create opportunities in information science? In this course, the foundations and operation of cloud computing, with a focus on information science applications, will be presented. Key cloud functions such as computing, storage, databases, and networking will be examined. Major cloud providers will be contrasted. The course will conclude with a practical application of cloud services to design and implement a cloud solution to a social, technical, or environmental problem.
INST352
Information User Needs and Assessment
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST311.
Restriction: Must be in Technology and Information Design or Information Science programs.
Focuses on use of information by individuals, including the theories, concepts, and principles of information, information behavior and mental models. Methods for determining information behavior and user needs, including accessibility issues will be examined and strategies for using information technology to support individual users and their specific needs will be explored.
INST354
Decision-Making for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST314 and PSYC100.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program.
Examines the use of information in organizational and individual decision-making, including the roles of information professionals and information systems in informed decision-making through techniques such as data analysis and regression, optimization, sensitivity analysis, decision trees, risk analysis and business simulation models.
INST362
User-Centered Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105; and minimum grade of C- in INST326 and STAT100.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program; and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits.
Introduction to human-computer interaction (HCI), with a focus on how HCI connects psychology, information systems, computer science, and human factors. User-centered design and user interface implementation methods discussed include identifying user needs, understanding user behaviors, envisioning interfaces, and utilizing prototyping tools, with an emphasis on incorporating people in the design process from initial field observations to summative usability testing.
INST364
Human-Centered Cybersecurity
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST327, STAT100, MATH115, and PSYC100.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program; or must be in the Information Risk Management, Ethics, and Privacy Minor.
Cybersecurity is fundamentally a problem of human interaction with technology, but its technical challenges are better understood than its human challenges. This course is designed to give you an overview of human interactions with cybersecurity technology, from users to system designers. Using the information gleaned in this course, you should be able to make better predictions about how people react to cybersecurity policies and tools, and how those reactions shape organizational behavior. The earlier part of the course focuses on explanations for behavior, while the later parts of the course focus more on the development and evaluation of tools for assisting people in cybersecurity.
INST366
Privacy, Security and Ethics for Big Data
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST126 or GEOG276; and minimum grade of C- in STAT100; and minimum grade of C- in one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201,GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, SOCY100, or SOCY105).
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science, Technology and Information Design, or Social Data Science programs; or must be in the Information Risk Management, Ethics, and Privacy Minor.
Evaluates major privacy and security questions raised by big data, Internet of things (IoT), wearables, ubiquitous sensing, social sharing platforms, and other AI-driven systems. Covers history of research ethics and considers how ethical frameworks can and should be applied to digital data.
INST367
Prototyping and Development Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST380.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Credit only granted for: INST398A or INST367.
Formerly: INST398A.
Covers interaction design--the process of defining products and the broad services built around them--and user experience research--how you determine what to design and how successful your design is. When interacting with systems, people build expectations and mental models of how things work, based upon their previous experience with similar products or processes, and the successful or unsuccessful nature of their interactions determines the success of your design. This course is about how to design for digital interactions that will resonate with your audiences (how the features and functions of a product get translated into something people find usable, useful, and desirable), and the research that goes on throughout that process (from contextual inquiry to evaluating the final product), with a particular emphasis on prototyping and iteration.
INST371
Teaching and Learning in Information Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST201; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Introduces students to foundational theories and practices of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on how they intersect with ideas from the Information Sciences. Covers foundational theories related to teaching and learning, social and cultural dimensions of learning, designing for learning, evaluating educational technologies, and ways of creating equitable, effective, and accessible learning experiences. Students will design learning activities for others, analyze educational tools and technologies, and explore ways to help teach others about the big ideas of Information Science.
INST377
Dynamic Web Applications
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); and minimum grade of C- in INST327, STAT100, and MATH115 (or higher).
Restriction: Restricted to Information Science and Social Data Science.
Credit only granted for: INST377 or BMGT406.
An exploration of the basic methods and tools for developing dynamic, database-driven websites, including acquiring, installing, and running web servers, database servers, and connectability applications.
INST380
Technology and Information Design: Do Good Now
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST201, INST126, STAT100; minimum grade of C- from (PSYC100, SOCY105).
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Credit only granted for: ARHU380, BSOS388B, PLCY388D, or PLCY380.
Climate change. Poverty. Racism. Pressing social issues are big, complex, and difficult. They can feel overwhelming to understand and impossible to address. You might care deeply about an issue, and want to make a difference, but don't know where to start. Sometimes you might not even try. This course will equip and empower you to delve deep into understanding a social issue of your choosing. Through course materials and activities, you'll try out your changemaker muscles and mindsets. Our goal is that this course will empower you to be an informed, engaged citizen who contributes to your community with and beyond your profession. Along the way, we'll address questions like, "What is social change?" and "What happens when our actions have unintended consequences?" We'll talk about the importance of understanding, empathy, agency, and community, and reflect on how these concepts relate to us as individuals.
INST381
Design Thinking for Visual Communication
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105; and minimum grade of C- in INST126, INST201, and STAT100; and minimum grade of C- in MATH115 or higher.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design major.
Credit only granted for: INST398J or INST381.
Formerly: INST398J.
In an age where technology increasingly permeates our daily existence, there remain certain human qualities that machines cannot replicate: creativity, curiosity, and empathy. This course endeavors to delve into the dynamic relationship between the pillars of aesthetics and the core skills of Design Thinking (DT), all with the goal of enhancing the design process. Throughout the course, we will witness instances where DT bolsters Visual Communication (VC), and conversely, where VC lends its support to the DT process. Our exploration will revolve around three pivotal questions: How can we engage users and establish meaningful connections with them? How can we empathize with users' challenges and provide them with effective solutions? How can we embrace a holistic approach to design?
INST398E
Special Topics in Information Studies; Lean Startup
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
This course focuses on creating an entrepreneurial experience for students with all the pressures and demands of the real world in an early-stage startup. Students will gain skills and practical knowledge in design-thinking principles and innovation, learn how to effectively communicate and gather information from their customers, partners, and competitors, pitch an idea and use leadership skills to guide and help motivate others and navigate difficult teamwork situations. In this course, students will use the Lean Startup approach and innovative technology ideas to create a product or service that would benefit society.
INST398L
Special Topics in Information Studies; Augmented Reality Design: Concepts and Applications
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
INST405
Game Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126, STAT100 or INST201; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Credit only granted for: INST408J or INST405.
Formerly: INST408J.
Games are a structured form of play that are typically undertaken for recreational--but sometimes also educational and even professional--purposes. But what constitutes a successful game? In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of game design: applying elements and principles of game design, such as goals, rules, and challenges to create games, such as board games, card games, and digital games. You will be introduced to the basic tools and methods of game design: paper and digital prototyping, design iteration, design critique, and user testing. As part of the course, you will be designing several games of different types. You will also learn how to use your skills to deconstruct and critique the components of existing games, as well as gain an understanding of the role of the game designer in real-world game development teams.
INST406
Cross Disciplinary Design Communication Lab
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST380; and a minimum grade of C- in Professional Writing General Education requirement.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Explores the world of communicating the ideas behind the things we make. In design, the product tends to be the prize: a manifestation of experience, sensibilities, and observations. But products do not always articulate a complete picture of what they are and how they came to be. Communication--speaking, writing, depicting, presenting to various audiences--is an under-leveraged component of design, connecting the product with emotion, process, context, and most importantly, the audience.
INST408A
Special Topics in Information Science; AI and Music: History and Practice
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
This interdisciplinary course explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and music, tracing its evolution from historical compositional methodologies to contemporary generative AI systems. Students will critically engage with the philosophical, legal, and artistic implications of AI in music while gaining hands-on experience with AI-driven music creation tools. Designed for students across disciplines (you don't need any musical skills/reading ability), including music, arts and humanities, philosophy, and information science.
INST408I
Special Topics in Information Science; Introduction to Cyber Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum of a C- from (STAT100, MATH115 or higher); minimum of a C- from (INST126 or GEOG276); minimum of a C- from (PSYC100, SOCY105, or BSOS233).
This course provides students with a socio-technical approach to understanding and analyzing the information environment with regards to global threats and attacks. This is accomplished through understanding the interplay of network and Internet infrastructure, threat vectors, and actors from personal, business, and nation-state levels. Students will also receive an introduction to law enforcement, legal issues pertaining to technology laws, and how private and public partnerships work together to secure the information environment. Lastly, students will be exposed to cyber threat analysis fundamentals.
This course provides students with a socio-technical approach to understanding and analyzing the information environment with regards to global threats and attacks. This is accomplished through understanding the interplay of network and Internet infrastructure, threat vectors, and actors from personal, business, and nation-state levels. Students will also receive an introduction to law enforcement, legal issues pertaining to technology laws, and how private and public partnerships work together to secure the information environment. Lastly, students will be exposed to cyber threat analysis fundamentals.
INST408Z
Special Topics in Information Science; Creative Coding
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Studies computational and data-driven tools for writing poetry and fiction. The focus is on experimental writing with computers, including digital fiction and poetry. Students will explore novel forms of collaboration with the computer, such as using an AI-generated passage of text as the seed for a more conventionally authored short story; writing a poem that contains lines and stanzas scored either ridiculously high or low by sentiment algorithms; and using paper ratherthan screens as a mediumfor computational display.
INST410
Managing with Data and Simulations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 and STAT100; minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105; minimum grade of C- in INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in MATH115 or higher.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science or Technology and Information Design programs.
Credit only granted for: INST408M or INST410.
Formerly: INST408M.
General principles of modeling, data analysis, and decision-making methods. Approaches to evaluating and assessing effective concepts, methods, and procedures of modeling and data analysis for decision making in management, advocacy, and communication situations. Ethical considerations in management, advocacy, and communication situations in professional life.
INST414
Data Science Techniques
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in MATH115 (or higher) and STAT100; and a minimum grade of C- from INST126 or GEOG276; and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, or SOCY100); and a minimum grade of C- from BSOS233 or INST314.
Recommended: Minimum C- in MATH140 and (INST326, BSOS326, or GEOG376).
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
An exploration of how to extract insights from large-scale datasets. The course will cover the complete analytical funnel from data extraction and cleaning to data analysis and insights interpretation and visualization. The data analysis component will focus on techniques in both supervised and unsupervised learning to extract information from datasets. Topics will include clustering, classification, and regression techniques. Through homework assignments, a project, exams and in-class activities, students will practice working with these techniques and tools to extract relevant information from structured and unstructured data.
INST443
Tools and Methods for Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed with a minimum grade of C-, or be concurrently enrolled, in INST341 or INST380.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Introduces students to the application of digital tools and methods in a variety of organizational settings, academic disciplines, and economic sectors.
INST447
Data Sources and Manipulation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in STAT100 and INST327; and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (INST201, INST301, BSOS233); and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, or SOCY100); and a minimum grade of C- from BSOS233 or INST314; and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (BSOS331, GEOG273, or INST326).
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Examines approaches to locating, acquiring, manipulating, and disseminating data. Imperfection, biases, and other problems in data are examined, and methods for identifying and correcting such problems are introduced. The course covers other topics such as automated collection of large data sets, and extracting, transforming, and reformatting a variety of data and file types.
INST452
Health Data Analytics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; and minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or BSOS233; and minimum grade of C- in STAT100 or MATH115 or higher.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Social Data Science program.
Health data analytics involves the extrapolation of actionable insights from patient data, using data sources such as electronic health records (EHRs), claims data, surveillance data, and surveys. Health data is complex, often unstructured and incomplete, and is organized for clinical care rather than to meet analytic needs. This course will involve the use of various analytical methods in order to translate large and complex data, whether structured or unstructured, into insights that improve decision-making from both the patient and provider perspectives. Healthcare data are rich and hold so much potential, but a challenge is presented to patients, providers, and even government agencies when it comes to figuring out how to leverage these data. Students in this course will learn foundational topics in data analytics focused on health data and will apply this knowledge to real health datasets through hands-on labs integrated into the lectures.
INST454
Project Development Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST104, INST126, INST204, and INST380; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in INST367.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Allows students to develop a self-selected project or product, such as a game UI system or a task management app, while building advanced design skills. Students bring an initial idea to the class, and through lectures, discussions, weekly critiques, and project milestones, they progress their concepts into tangible, public-facing work. Emphasizing industry-standard methodologies, the course focuses on three core activities: externalizing ideas, engaging in constructive critique, and documenting design decisions and progress. This hands-on approach fosters self-directed learning, collaborative reflection, and a comprehensive understanding of design and development.
INST456
Risk Management Leadership in the Information Age
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST408B or INST456.
Formerly: INST408B.
Helps students assess and mitigate a range of vulnerabilities within an organization's data networks, allowing them to understand how to protect the integrity, security, and confidentiality of information.
INST462
Introduction to Data Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in STAT100; minimum grade of a C- from one of the following (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, SOCY100, or SOCY105); and a minimum grade of C- from BSOS233 or INST314.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Exploration of the theories, methods, and techniques of visualization of information, including the effects of human perception, the aesthetics of information design, the mechanics of visual display, and the semiotics of iconography.
INST463
Technology Socialprenuer
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST398B or INST463.
Formerly: INST398B.
Introduces students to the role of technology and entrepreneurship in our society. Students will be able to choose an existing society issue and develop creative entrepreneurial ideas to solve it using innovative technologies. The course allows students to meet industry professionals and learn more about various social problems and projects companies focus on and try to solve in the modern world. Students are also able to contribute to those solutions.
INST464
Decision Making for Cybersecurity
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Must have earned a minimum grade of C- in INST201, INST126, MATH115, PSYC100, and INST364.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST408W or INST464.
Formerly: INST408W.
Discusses human and organizational decision making from a variety of perspectives. Applies different risk assessment and decision making frameworks that are relevant to personal and organization cybersecurity, with a focus on the quantitative Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) model. Considers monetary, social and societal costs of cybersecurity decisions. Considers a range of questions relating to cybersecurity, from whether to install a game on a smartphone to how to allocate scarce information security resources in an organization.
INST466
Technology, Culture, and Society
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Individual, cultural, and societal outcomes associated with development of information & communication technologies (ICTs), including pro- and anti-social factors. Unpacking how gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, and political affiliations affect consumption and production of online experiences. Unpacking how structures of dominance, power and privilege manifest at individual, institutional and cultural levels.
INST467
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity for Policy Makers
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed with a C- or be concurrently enrolled in INST364.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST408V, PLCY388C, or INST467.
Formerly: INST408V.
Explores the key issues facing policy makers attempting to manage the problem of cybersecurity from its technical foundations to the domestic and international policy considerations surrounding governance, response, critical infrastructure risk management, and privacy. Designed for students with little to no background in information technology, and will provide the principles to understand the current debates shaping a rapidly evolving security landscape.
INST470
Competitive Business Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST408K or INST470.
Formerly: INST408K.
Competitive intelligence (CI) is a derivative of governmental intelligence, as well as business marketing, economics, and management, that is defined similarly: the collection, evaluation, analysis, and application of legally available information relevant to the plans, decisions, and operations of one's organization. Topics will include an overview and comparison of the intelligence process in government and in business (i.e., the intelligence cycle), a detailed consideration of the requirements and the analytical segments of that process, a survey of current analytical tools, a survey of information sources and information acquisition activities, a survey of required personnel, physical and information security policies, and the necessary efforts in creating an effective CI unit within any business enterprise.
INST490
Integrated Capstone for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST311, INST314, INST326, INST327, INST335, INST346, INST352, and INST362.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program; and must have earned a minimum of 90 credits; and permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
The capstone provides a platform for Information Science students where they can apply a subset of the concepts, methods, and tools they learn as part of the Information Science program to addressing an information problem or fulfilling an information need.
INST600
Foundations for Librarians and Information Professionals
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Credit only granted for: LBSC791 or INST600.
Formerly: LBSC791.
An introduction to the field of library and information science (LIS), its history, and future direction that provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the nature and functions of the profession(s) they have entered. The focus is on core concepts underlying the LIS discipline, with particular emphasis on professional ethics/values, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), and the ways in which technology has shaped and continues to shape the field.
INST604
Introduction to Archives and Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Credit only granted for: LBSC604 or LBSC605.
Overview of the principles, practices, and applications in the archival and digital curation fields.
INST608B
Special Topics in Information Studies; News Application Development
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST608D
Special Topics in Information Studies; Spatial Representation and Analysis for Libraries and Archives Collections
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST608F
Special Topics in Information Studies; AI and Music: History and Practice
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
This interdisciplinary course explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and music, tracing its evolution from historical compositional methodologies to contemporary generative AI systems. Students will critically engage with the philosophical, legal, and artistic implications of AI in music while gaining hands-on experience with AI-driven music creation tools. Designed for students across disciplines (you don't need any musical skills/reading ability), including music, arts and humanities, philosophy, and information science.
INST608G
Special Topics in Information Studies; Practical Copyright
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST608T
Special Topics in Information Studies; Trauma-Informed Librarianship
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST612
Information Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Nature, structure, development and application of information policy. Interactions of social objectives, stakeholders, technology and other forces that shape policy decisions.
INST614
Literacy and Inclusion
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
The educational and psychological dimensions of helping and supporting new users to become information literate and experienced users to remain engaged.
INST616
Open Source Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
An introduction to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for Information Professionals. For the purposes of this course, OSINT is defined as the use of free, publicly available online sources to gather information about people, organizations/groups, places, businesses, activities/events, and capabilities. Collected information is used to conduct analysis or reach conclusions with estimated level of certainty. Students will learn basic and advanced techniques for using search engines, people directories, social networks, location-based services, images and videos, public records, domain analytics, documents, archives, and other sources. Throughout the modules, data quality and validation procedures will be key topics. Professional applications of the skills taught are extensive and include libraries, law offices, journalism, human resources, competitive intelligence, law enforcement, opposition research, government agencies, ethical hacking, and many more.
INST622
Information and Universal Usability
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Information services and technologies to provide equal experiences and outcomes to all users. Laws, standards, approaches, component concepts, access needs, and technologies in relation to physical and online information environments.
INST630
Programming Human-Centered Interfaces
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
An introduction to the development and programming of user interfaces intended for students interested in human-computer interaction. Topics include fundamentals of programming, history and current trends in user interface implementation that are relevant to information professionals.
INST639G
Practical Skills in HCI; UX Strategy
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
Explore applications of business strategy and UX design that create innovative digital products and services to meet user needs, enhance an organization's value proposition, and advance its mission and goals.
INST639L
Practical Skills in HCI; Information Architecture
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
Formerly: INST639H (Summer 2021). Credit only granted for INST639L or INST639H (when taken in Summer 2021).
INST639P
Practical Skills in HCI; Augmented Reality Design: Concepts and Applications
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
The goal of this course is to introduce augmented reality (AR) as a design tool and medium. We will explore the challenges and opportunities for accessibility, user experience design, and user interfaces for 3D content and experiences along with the conceptual and technical skills necessary to create impactful AR experiences. We will examine the compelling use cases for AR, with an emphasis on crafting digital interactions with the real world, and how AR offers new ways to share and understand various types of information and data.
INST641
Policy and Ethics in Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Prerequisite: INST604; or INST640; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Discussion of strategies to address intellectual property, privacy, security and other policy and ethics concerns raised by the curation of digital records and data.
INST646
Principles of Records and Information Management
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Principles and practices of managing records in the context of information management programs in government, corporate and other institutional settings. Includes access; legal requirements; digital technologies; and creation, administration, appraisal, and retention and disposition of records.
INST652
Design Thinking and Youth
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Methods of design thinking specifically within and for youth contexts, including user-centered design, understanding user needs, ideation, contextual design, participatory design, iterative prototyping, and visual design. These topics will specifically be studied in the context of designing with and for youth.
INST653
Introduction to Museum Scholarship
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with: AMST655, ANTH655, HIST610.
Credit only granted for: AMST655, ANTH655, HIST610, INST728T or INST653.
Provides students a basic understanding of museums as cultural and intellectual institutions. Topics include the historical development of museums, museums as resources for scholarly study, and the museum exhibition as medium for presentation of scholarship.
INST680
Health Informatics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in INFM600 or LBSC602; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
An introduction to the ways in which medical data, information, and knowledge are created, stored and used. Students will gain an understanding of the current trends in the delivery of medical care and the ways in which these trends influence health information resources and systems.
INST682
Personal Health Informatics & Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Personal Health Informatics cover a broad concept that encompasses an array of approaches to collect, store, share, analyze, and reflect on personal health data. Not only health care providers are relying on Health Technologies to improve patient care, people are increasingly using health devices and apps in their everyday life. Individuals have started using new technologies to collect data, increase awareness, and reflect on and change their behaviors. They also use various tools for curiosity and fun. This course will provide an overview of this exciting field and examine how social and behavioral theories can be applied to create effective health applications.It is difficult to create health technologies that can successfully be integrated into people's daily life due to many obstacles in individuals' data collection, integration, self-reflection, and sharing practices. Understanding these challenges is an important part of designing Health Technologies. Therefore, this course will cover HCI and design thinking methods that you can leverage in understanding the adoption of Health Technologies. Moreover, visualizations facilitate people to gain insights from their data, so we will cover common visualization approaches used in the personal data contexts.
INST702
Advanced Usability Testing
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor; or (INFM605 or INST631).
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Usability test design, implementation and analysis for computer and mobile devices; special attention will be paid to remote testing. Students will learn the complex process of coordinating and facilitating a usability test and how to synthesize test data into reports appropriate for various audiences.
INST703
Visual Design Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Human-Computer Interaction Master's program.
This hands-on studio course will help students develop foundational visual skills related to user experience (UX) design. Students will explore methodologies and processes used in many of the industry's top creative environments and study the entire visual design skillset, including concept development, content creation, system design, and tools and process.
INST705
Game Design Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Recommended: Programming experience will be useful, but not strictly necessary.
Credit only granted for: INST705, INST728E, or INST408J.
Learn the fundamentals of game design by applying elements and principles of game design, such as goals, rules, and challenges, to create board games, card games, and digital games. Students will be introduced to the basic tools and methods of game design: paper and digital prototyping, design iteration, design critique, and user testing. Students will design several games of different types to add to a growing portfolio of game design concepts. Students will also learn how to use their skills to deconstruct and critique the components of existing games, as well as gain an understanding of the role of the game designer in real-world game development teams.
INST709
Independent Study
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST710
User Experience Research Methods
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Students will learn to conduct user research in industry and to provide foundational knowledge needed for academic research. It examines the theoretical and epistemological differences between research paradigms and provides an overview of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches. It overviews user-centered design (UCD) methods, and uses Contextual Inquiry/Contextual Design as the backbone for a research project, incorporating related formative UCD methods and techniques. It is a project-based course, where students conduct a semester-long project to prepare them for the HCIM Capstone as well as other types of formative user research.
INST711
Interaction Design Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Additional information: Enrollment is prioritized for HCIM students. Remaining seats may be filled with permission from the INFO program or the instructor.
Covers basic interaction design principles and design process from a studio-based design perspective. Focuses on how to design for interactions that will resonate with your audiences: how the features and functions of a project get translated into something people find usable, useful, and desirable. Explores the role of interaction designers. Students design and prototype interactive products, systems, and services.
INST725
Legal Research for Information Professionals
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: INST615.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
An in-depth exploration the methods, resources, and context of conducting advanced legal research. After offering an overview of various types of legal materials, the course will focus on finding and analyzing legal materials through various primary sources, databases, secondary sources, and public records for government and corporate settings. The course will also discuss practical issues of conducting legal research, such as data management and budgeting.
INST726
Information Governance
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Offers a comprehensive introduction to information governance, an emerging discipline concerned with how organizations minimize risk and maximize the value associated with their information assets. Drawing from real-life examples from the private and public sectors, the course will explore important facets of information governance, including how institutions incorporate best practices in records and information management, data storage and archiving, e-discovery, privacy, cybersecurity, analytics, risk management, and compliance. The course will also provide practical lessons in developing a state-of-the-art information governance program.
INST728M
Special Topics in Information Studies; UX Business Basics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Explore the business side of UX design and what it takes to successfully bring products to market and take a product from ideation through prototype of a minimum viable product (MVP) while also assessing risks and defining metrics for product success. Topics include project management, project scope, problem identification, market research, and how to effectively communicate research findings to various stakeholders and teams as well as presentation skills and building winning pitch decks for funding.
INST728X
Special Topics in Information Studies; Designing Technology with Older People
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST631.
INST730
Games as Emergent Experiences
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST608K, INST408K or INST730.
Formerly: INST608K.
Videogames are designed objects that players bring their own history to, resulting each time in a unique emergent experience. If you've ever wondered why you love a certain game but others hate it, why you prefer one genre of game over another, or why the frustration you feel in complicated games is often actually enjoyable, this is the class for you! We will examine design principles instantiated in various games, analyze how failure and feedback support productive gameplay, discuss how mechanics and aesthetics contribute to emergent experiences, and develop an understanding of the field of games scholarship.
INST731
Advanced Game, Entertainment, and Media Analytics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST661.
Credit only granted for: INST728Z or INST731.
Formerly: INST728Z.
Analytical techniques and research methods are on the rise in gaming, entertainment, and media (GEM) industries. Students will expand their critical thinking skills, explore the current state of GEM analytics, summarize data creatively, improve data-driven decision making, and optimize reporting in real-world situations. This course will assist students in applying and developing advanced analytical skills specifically designed for gaming, entertainment, and media analytics in their individual areas of interest. Students will achieve this through the development of critical thinking skills as well as advanced demonstration of skills and knowledge in various data science techniques and analytical methods, such as modeling, database management, information workflow analysis, usability research, statistical analysis, predictive analytics, natural language processing (NLP), data mining, and machine learning techniques.
INST732
Entertainment Theory
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
An entertainment environment is a setting in which audiences interact with content developed to please, charm, cheer, interest, engage, and enthrall distinct individuals and groups. Entertainment environments surround us in all parts of our lives-this course aims to dissect them using a foundation of entertainment theory, including a set of models and theories examining motivations for entertainment consumption; selection of content; processing of content; evaluation of content; and cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral effects of content.
INST733
Database Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: LBSC690, LBSC671, or INFM603; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Credit only granted for: INST733 or LBSC793.
Formerly: LBSC793.
Principles of user-oriented database design. Requirements analysis. Data modelling. Data integrity and security and multi-user databases. Implementing an information system using a database management system (DBMS).
INST737
Data Science Techniques
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST627; and (LBSC690, LBSC671, or INFM603). Or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Computers have made it possible, even easy, to collect vast amounts of data from a wide variety of sources. It is not always clear, however, how to use those data and how to extract useful information from them. This problem is faced in a tremendous range of scholarly, government, business, medical, and scientific applications. This course will provide students with an overview of the different components of the Data Science pipeline and with practical skills to implement it. Data Science is by nature an applied science. This course will use real datasets from open data sources and data challenges from a variety of disciplines to immerse students in real Data Science settings and to teach them about the challenges that arise when working with complex, imperfect data.
INST742
Implementing Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: INST604; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Management of and technology for application of digital curation principles in specific settings. Characteristics, representation, conversion, and preservation of digital objects. Application of standards for digitization, description, and preservation. Planning for sustainability, risk mitigation and disaster recovery.
INST750
Advanced Data Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: INFM603 and INST737; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Credit only granted for: INFM750 OR INST750.
Formerly: INFM750.
Application of data science techniques to unstructured, real-world datasets including social media and geo-referenced sources. Techniques and approaches to extract information relevant for experts and non-experts in areas that include smart cities, public health, and disaster management.
INST754
Data Integration and Preparation for Analytics & Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INFM600, INST630, and INST733; and (INFM603 or JOUR652) ; or permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the end-to-end processes for acquiring, ingesting, managing, cleansing, transforming, and integrating data sources for the purposes of reporting, analytics, and visualization. Concepts include data acquisition, data streaming, data staging, standardization, Data Profiling, data cleansing, data quality, concept and metadata harmonization, transformation, data warehousing, data governance, data modeling, and data visualization. Students will learn how ingested data sets can be transformed, integrated, and prepared for analytical use with dashboards and visualization.
INST762
Visual Analytics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INFM603, INST630, or JOUR652; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Visual analytics is the use of interactive visual interfaces to facilitate analytical reasoning. In essence, visual analytics is based on the--not uncontroversial--idea that humans and computers working alone are insufficient for the data challenges of today and tomorrow, and that effective synthesis of both humans and computational algorithms are needed to create human-in-the-loop systems. Thus, visual analytics bridges human-centered disciplines such as visualization and human-computer interaction with computation-centered disciplines such as machine learning, probabilistic methods, and knowledge discovery. The course contents will include both theoretical foundations of this interdisciplinary science as well as practical applications of integrated visual analysis techniques on real-world problems.
INST767
Big Data Infrastructure
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST737; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Principles and techniques of data science and business intelligence. Technologies and architectures for large-scale data warehousing and scale-out data analytics platforms. Supervised and unsupervised data mining.
INST771
Foundations of Cybersecurity
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Explores the foundational concepts of cybersecurity including the Threat Landscape, the evolution and structures of the global telecommunications network, key communication protocols and foundations of networks, the history, culture and emergence of the hacking process, and the core motivations and tactics of threat actors.
INST776
HCIM CAPSTONE PROJECT
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: INST775; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Must be taken in the semester immediately following completion of INST775 HCIM Capstone Prep; and permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Additional information: Enrollment is prioritized for HCIM students. Remaining seats may be filled with permission from the INFO program or the instructor.
The opportunity to apply the skills learned through coursework in a semester-long project applied to a real -world problem. Capstone projects may follow the design, prototyping and evaluation process from end-to-end or may focus on a subset of elements in that process, such as formative study and design.
INST779
Readings Seminar
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
INST785
Documentation, Collection, and Appraisal of Records
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST604; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Development of documentation strategies and plans; collecting policies to guide programs in acquiring records; theories and techniques for appraising records to identify those with continuing value.
INST786
Museum Research Seminar
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: AMST655, ANTH655, or HIST610.
Cross-listed with: AMST856, ANTH856, HIST810.
Credit only granted for: AMST856, ANTH856, HIST810, INST728U or INST786.
A research seminar focusing on the practice and presentation of cultural and historical scholarship in museums and historical sites. Students will complete an original research project on the challenges and opportunities of public exhibition and interpretation of cultural and historical research.
INST787
Museum Scholarship Practicum
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Prerequisite: AMST856, ANTH856, or HIST810.
Restriction: Permission of Museum Scholarship Program required.
Cross-listed with: AMST857, ANTH857, HIST811.
Credit only granted for: AMST857, ANTH857, HIST811, INST728I or INST787.
Students devise and carry out a research program using the collections at the Smithsonian Institution or some other cooperating museum, working under joint supervision of a museum professional and a university faculty member.
INST788C
Special Topics: Collaborative Curation; Community-Centered Exhibition Creation in a Local Museum
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with AMST659C, ANTH689C and HIST688C. Credit will only be granted for AMST659C, ANTH689C, HIST688C or INST788C.
INST799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F
INST802
Pragmatic and Methodological Foundations for Information Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST888 or INST802.
Formerly: INST888.
Information Studies' eclectic interdisciplinarity is both its greatest strength and its most significant weakness. As an increasingly multi/inter/trans/non-disciplinary intellectual community, Information Studies embraces a wide variety of conceptual frameworks, theories, methodological approaches, and intellectual traditions. As such, it is necessary to be able to bring many different intellectual perspectives to bear on the complex, nuanced, phenomena that are its focus. The variety in the intellectual toolbox of Information Studies is central to its ability to avoid reduction of its focal topics to trite, simplistic characterizations. However, the field's paradigmatic richness places particular burdens on the individual researcher. The purpose of this seminar is to help students develop a reflective practice that they can rely on to turn their interests into valuable new insights in an interdisciplinary domain like Information Studies.
INST808
Seminar in Research Methods and Data Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST818
Individual Research Experience
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST828
Readings Seminar
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST878
Special Topics in Information Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
INST899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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