Courses

Not all courses are taught each semester and summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule  to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes made to the course inventory after the publication of this catalog.

A full explanation of course numbers is given in General Information .  In brief, the first digit of a course number indicates the semester hour value of the course. The second and third digits indicate the rank of the course; if they are 01 through 19, the course is of lower-division rank; if 20 through 79, of upper-division rank; if 80 through 99, of graduate rank.

Information Studies: INF

Lower-Division Courses

INF 303D. Academic Success In The Digital University.

Exposure to a wide variety of information and academic resources, tools, and skills. Focus is on the digital landscape of higher education. Subjects include features of the primary learning management system used; communication and organizational tools; library resources; basic online research resources; and ethical and safety concerns. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

INF 304D. Introduction to Information Studies.

Overview of the information field as it relates to the technology-based world culture. Subjects may include the idea of information, information in relation to technology and culture, human-computer interaction, information technology in education, information literacy and the "digital divide," information and communication technology, information and gender, public information policy, and information organization and preservation. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 304D and 304W may not both be counted.

INF 315C. Topics In Human-Computer Interaction.

Fundamental concepts, techniques, and questions in human-computer interaction. Topics covered may include user research, interaction design, user interface design, and usability. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

INF 315E. Information and Culture.

Examines information as a cultural phenomenon. Topics may include e-commerce, privacy and secrecy, censorship, information as a commodity, Internet culture, access to cultural heritage, and control of the cultural record. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 315E and 315W may not both be counted unless the topics vary. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Prerequisites may vary with the topic.

Upper-Division Courses

INF 322T. Children's Literature.

Evaluation, selection, and proper and creative use of books and other media with children. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 322T and 322W may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

INF 327E. Information and People.

Study of how individuals and groups create meaning. Explores research topics concerning people and communication, including information literacy, organizations and innovation, knowledge management, and identifying information needs. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 327E and 327W may not both be counted unless the topics vary. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; prerequisites may vary with the topic.

INF 331C. Beyond Google.

A general introduction to information searching and evaluating information in digital, print, visual, and aural formats. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 331C and 331W may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

INF 335C. Information in Cyberspace.

An overview of the history and social impact of Internet, Web, and other network technologies. Students will learn methods and tools of media creation with an emphasis on technological self-sufficiency. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, including some web-based instruction. Only one of the following may be counted: Information Studies 312, 335C, 335W. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

INF 343C. Information Organization and Access.

Basic aspects of representing and organizing information resources in digital information settings. Introduces the fundamentals of identifying informational objects, including description, content indication, and metadata. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 343C and 343W may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

INF 350C. Advanced Topics In Human-Computer Interaction.

Advanced concepts, techniques, and questions in human-computer interaction. Topics covered may include the design of rich interfaces, evaluation of interactive systems, and visual design. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper division standing; prerequisites may vary with the topic.

INF 350E. Information Technology.

Design and use of information technologies, including interface design, trends in information technology development, usability, information retrieval, immersive media, and information architecture. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Information Studies 350E and 350W may not both be counted unless the topics vary. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; prerequisites may vary with the topic.

Topic 1: Technologies of the Book. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

INF 350G. Information in Society.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; prerequisites may vary with the topic.

INF 371C. Projects in Human-Computer Interaction.

Hands-on user experience design project. Students examine users' needs; complete an interactive system design, evaluation, re-design; and/or similar tasks. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Information Studies 304D or 304W; 315C; and 6 credit hours in Information Studies 350C.

INF 371E. Projects In Information Studies.

Study of a current practical question, phenomenon, or controversy involving information. Includes designing, evaluating, and testing an information system or producing a project report. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; completion of or concurrent enrollment in twelve hours of coursework in Information Studies.