SJ4A Curriculum
Fall 2024
CIS 675 – Community-Engaged Scholarship
This seminar introduces students to theoretical and applied community-based frameworks and approaches from the social sciences and allied disciplines to transform the “ivory tower” image of the academy. It is developed for doctoral and master’s students and professionals both on campus and at a distance to apply the philosophy and practice of community-engaged scholarship in their community-based projects and gather experience and expertise of collaborating with external constituencies. Opportunities to disseminate their research in professional venues of peer-reviewed publications and presentations will be pursued based on individual student’s interests and disciplinary backgrounds.
Course syllabus:
Course website: https://sites.ua.edu/bmehra/cis675-fall2024
LS 556 – Intellectual Foundation of Traditional and Non-Traditional Archival Theory
Archives are made by ideas. Archivists have defined, and described, archives as functioning as memory, evidence, and information. In addition, archives have been ascribed cultural, historical, and artifactual values. This course is a critical examination of archival thought and its influence on how archives are conceived, constructed, and ultimately used.
Course syllabus: https://sites.ua.edu/socialjusticearchivists-sj4a/files/2025/03/fall2024_ls556_syllabus.pdf
Summer 2024
LS 558 – Representation, Access, and Use of Archives
This course explores topics in the organization of archival materials. Specifically, the topics addressed include the description, arrangement, and representation of archival objects and collections. In studying these topics, students will obtain an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of these practices as well as practical experience in creating usable collections through archival arrangement and description.
Course syllabus: https://alabama.box.com/s/s9hifqo3m2mebn4ro5nq9f6xg8ms1egm
Spring 2024
LS 557 – Archival Appraisal
This course explores topics in the selection and appraisal of archival materials. In this course you will gain exposure to the principles and approaches, which influence how records are selected for long-term retention and preservation, as well as practical performing this archival practice.
Course syllabus: https://alabama.box.com/s/sbmefe1psjtvecgwq9dujy11p3uiy4ii
LS 580 – Outreach to Diverse Populations
Explores diverse cultural groups and the ways that information centers, museums, non-profits, and all types of libraries can effectively serve the informational and recreational needs of these populations.
Course syllabus:
Course website: https://sites.ua.edu/bmehra/ls580-spring2024
Fall 2023
CIS 668 – Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy
Theoretical and research perspectives in action-oriented social justice and advocacy in communication information sciences and related disciplines. This course explores communication and information infrastructures, contexts, technologies, institutions, and policies as sites of power that shape inequalities. In a chosen area of research, students will draw on a broad array of scholarly literature and popular sources to explore what socially just outcomes and interventions might look like for disenfranchised communities, organizations, and individuals.
Course syllabus:
Course website: https://sites.ua.edu/bmehra/CIS668-Fall2023
LS 500 – Information Science & Technology
This introductory course examines information science through conceptual foundations and historical underpinnings of the field as they relate to the nature and roles of information and information institutions. Students will learn fundamental approaches to understand the relationships between Information and individuals, organizations, and society.
Course syllabus: https://ua.simplesyllabus.com/en-US/doc/2375cuwhr/Fall-2023-LS-500-920-?mode=view
Summer 2023
CIS 650 – Applying Diversity Leadership Theories and Praxis
Developing effective diversity leadership skills to provide inclusive services to underserved populations in varied communication and information organizations. Analyzes management of responsive strategies to develop cultural competence and effective leadership skills in a diverse workforce information environment. Critically evaluates a variety of information responses to ensure equality/equity of representation, inclusion, access, and information use of diverse stakeholders in a community-centered organizational setting. Students propose a strategic diversity action plan to identify directions of progressive growth and professional practice in a self-selected organization.
Course syllabus:
Course website: https://sites.ua.edu/bmehra/cis650div-summer2023
LS 555 – Introduction to Archival Studies
This course offers an introduction to archival theory and practice. Emphasis is placed on investigating the nature and character of archival forms, the role of the archivist in society, the ethics of archival practice, and the social function of records and archives.
Course syllabus: https://alabama.box.com/s/szduehh41vyq9slsnx0s1y0vgyg0j8yq
Spring 2023
LS 501 – Information in Communities
This required course introduces students to values and ethics and power structures that impact information and information services to diverse communities. It serves as a foundation for broadly thinking about information, communities, power, and social responsibility of LIS professionals.
Course syllabus: https://oiraweb.ua.edu/apis/docs/api/v1/renderDocument/id/63bc696088c75d042fa8cf2f?contextId=20231016297
LS 513 – Professional Paths
This required course introduces students to the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of Library and Information Science and to the career paths available to them through the MLIS degree. As a result of this course, students will be better able to make informed decisions about the educational, experiential, and technical opportunities needed in order to pursue their chosen professional path.
Course syllabus: https://alabama.box.com/s/uv180cg3kkk9j7n61uciloak75uhthei