INFSCI 2000
Introduction to Information Science

Fall 2008 (2091)

Instructors:

Dr. Stephen Hirtle
Office: 2B01 IS Building
Office Phone: 412-624-9434
Office Hours: Thu 1:00-2:40
Email: hirtle@pitt.edu

Dr. Richard Thompson
Office: 717A IS Building
Office Phone: 412-624-9423
Office Hours: Mon 1-3 & Tue 3-5
Email: rat@tele.pitt.edu

Class Meets: Monday, 6:00-8:50pm, 404 IS Bldg

Prerequisite: none

Last Update: August 28, 2008

Expectations

The purpose of INFSCI 2000 is to explore the scope of the field of information science and introduce you to the faculty the department.  The course is designed to be taken during the first or second term of study.  If you are taking it later than the second term, you will be given additional assignments to ensure that your knowledge is fed back to the other students in the class.  

The course is thematically divided into three parts that reflect the three components of the School of Information Sciences: Information, Access, and People. This course provides an introduction to information science from several different perspectives. We will look to discuss some of the important ideas in the field, and will look at some of the research initiatives in the department. The course will blend exposition with discussion. It will also blend analysis, design, and implementation activities with the exposition and discussion processes. A number of guest lecturers will be presenting material throughout the course.

There are four broad course goals:

• to establish a professional presence in the field of information science, which is philosophically motivated and ethically sound.

• to explore some of the fundamental concepts of information science that may serve as the basis for future work in courses in the department.

• to introduce some of the basic skills that will help you to make the most of your experience in the department.

• to introduce you to some of the faculty in the department in order to assist you in better identifying the teachers and subject matter focus you will choose to pursue in the department.

Email

All email to the instructors about this class should contain "INFSCI2000" in the subject line to be read.  For example, the subject line might read "INFSCI2000: Question about Homework #1".  Email without this information might be deleted by spam filters or placed in a folder to be read at a later date.  Email with the appropriate identifier will usually be read within 24 hours of receipt.

Special circumstances

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accomodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Sevices, 216 William Pitt Union, (412-648-7890/TTY:412-383-7355) as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accomodations for this course. 

In addition, you should be aware that Dr. Hirtle's office is up a short flight of stairs.  If this problematic, I am happy to arrange a meeting in an accessible location at any time.

Readings

Materials.   All reading material for the course will be available on-line at http://courseweb.pitt.edu, including an advanced copy of a new textbook, Information: A Fundamental Construct, written by Bob Allen at Drexel.

Grading

Grading will based on answers to frequent homework exercises (every 1 to 2 weeks) and a final exam.

Details to follow.

Weekly Outline - SUBJECT TO REVISION!