MBIB4240 Institutions Promoting Information and Culture Course description

This course will have a sociological perspective focusing in particular on archives, libraries and museums, the emergence of the information disseminating profession, institutionalisation and roles.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of information and culture disseminating institutions, first and foremost archives and libraries and these institutions values and social roles
• specialist knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the different institutions and how this relationship is influenced by their political, demographic, cultural, technological surroundings
• in-depth knowledge about the respective professionals' roles and practice in the three different types of institution
• in-depth knowledge of relevant theories from the social sciences such as institutional theory, theory of the public sphere and cultural theory, as well as theories and methods for assessing and evaluating the usefulness of information and cultural disseminating institutions

Skills The student

• masters relevant theoretical terms and perspectives that are used in research in the field in order to analyse and understand the relevant institutions, their history, development and change processes, etc.
• is capable of reflecting on the professional practice in archives and libraries
• has developed a knowledge base in relation to the empirical field and to theory and methods that enable them to design and conduct research projects on topics pertaining to information and culture disseminating institutions
• is capable of leading complex planning processes leading to the ability to update the archives and libraries' role in relation to social changes

Competence

• The student has the ability to cooperate across information science specialisations

The course is organised as a series of three or four sessions over three days.

Teaching methods alternate between lectures, seminars, study visits, discussions, group work, presentation and independent study.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

1. A 5 -10  minute oral presentation of a small group project. 
2. A  15 minute oral presentation of the semester paper.

Presentations can be done on Zoom, in the classroom or recorded beforehand (ppt or video) and shall be submitted to Canvas afterwards for approval by course responsible (pass/fail). 

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version once by the given deadline.

Assessment is a semester paper. The paper can be written individually, the length should then be about 20 pages, or it can be written in a group of 2 students, the length should then be about 25 pages. Font and font size: Arial / Calibri 12pkt. Line spacing: 1.5.

Candidates who do not receive a passing grade on the semester paper can resubmit the paper once. 

All written aids are allowed as long as the source reference rules are followed.

Grading scale A-F.

An internal and external examiner make the assessment of all exams.

You can apply for admission to this course outside the master's program.  Admission requirements for the course are the same as for the master's programme in library and information science, as well as a minimum of a C grade average from the bachelor's degree.

Jamie Johnston