Information Studies

Students pursuing a minor in information studies will:

• Develop advanced skills in information literacy, including the ability to identify information needs, formulate precision searches for efficient information retrieval, evaluate information and reformulate searches for greater precision, and employ retrieved information in the creation of new products (research papers, presentations, Web pages), and the ethical and legal use of information.

• Gain an understanding of the guiding principles of the production, organization, and dissemination of information in contemporary society, including the production of knowledge, the information publication cycle, and the construction and design of information storage and retrieval systems.

• Gain a theoretical understanding of key information policy issues in a rapidly evolving information environment, including governance of the World Wide Web, digital divide, censorship, privacy, plagiarism, intellectual property, and e-commerce.
  The requirements of the minor in information studies can be fulfilled by completing two courses at the 3000-level followed by the 4000-level capstone course.