MBIB5000 E-books Course description

The course addresses possibilities and challenges concerning the production, distribution, reception, reading and other types of use of e-books. Aspects will include economic and legal ramifications for e-book lending in academic and public libraries. Focus is primarily contemporary, but the course also provides a historical perspective.

The course is developed and implemented as a collaboration between the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, University of Copenhagen, University of Borås and The Reading Center at the University of Stavanger.

No prerequisites.

Knowledge

After completion of the course, the student has

• comprehensive understanding of e-books from a cultural and historical perspective as well as their role in the current media landscape
• advanced knowledge of the leading technologies and tools used for the production, reading and distribution of e-books
• advanced knowledge of the Scandinavian e-book markets and distribution models, including challenges associated with economic and legal aspects
• advanced knowledge of the implications of digitization of reading as a cognitive process, phenomenological experience, and social practice

Skills attainment

After completion of the course, the student

• critically reflect on how affordances of reading devices may affect the reading of different types of texts for different purposes
• assess the value and potential of distribution models of e-books for various types of libraries
• identify and formulate research questions pertaining to e-books and address them through independent analysis
• identify and use insights from relevant professional and research literature on e-books

Teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, group assignments, project work, and exercises.

No course requirements.

The assessment has two parts: a project work (15-20 pages) made in groups with 2-3 students and an individual 3-day home examination (7-10 pages), written either in English or in Norwegian.

The two parts get separate marks. The project work counts for 50 percent and the home examination counts for 50 percent of the total and final mark. The student must pass both parts to pass the course.

Students who have failed a regular examination are entitled to sit a new examination in the part(s) they have failed. If the project work fail, the whole group need to sit the new examination.

All support material permitted.

Letter grading A-F.

An internal and an external examiner make the assessment.

Tor Arne Dahl