libr 563: Information Ethics and intellectual freedom (3) -- course description
[previously: LIBR 569J: Current Issues And Trends In Library Services And Information Science: Issues In Intellectual Freedom And Access]PREREQUISITES: LIBR 500, 501
COREQUISITES: 502, 503
GOAL: The goal of this course is to introduce students to both emerging and perennial ethical issues facing information professionals. The course will assist students in developing the skills needed to identify, analyze, and address ethical quandaries throughout their professional careers in information studies, whether in Canada or abroad.
OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
- Express a basic knowledge of ethical theories and theorists
- Critically evaluate an ethical argument
- Draw upon their knowledge of ethics to analyze both perennial and emerging issues in information studies from various perspectives (e.g., Canadian library, U.S. search engine, Chinese government)
- Construct a defensible ethical argument to support their position on an information studies issue
CONTENT:
- Explorations of past information ethics topics and topics of current interest (e.g., intellectual freedom, privacy)
- Critical analysis of the values statements of various information organizations
- Instruction in verbal debate and written argumentation
- Investigations of how information technologies, past and present, push on ethical stances
NOTE: Topics discussed may include sensitive/offensive material related to issues of intellectual freedom (e.g., sexually explicit heterosexual and gay/lesbian materials, witchcraft, hate literature, religious/blasphemous information, seditious or war-time information, information regarding illegal acts or substances, etc.).
