Examines the social, legal, and historical contexts of information technologies and the moral questions surrounding them.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The workload involves weekly reading and writing, including 3-4 one-page papers and two presentations. While some find the reading fascinating and papers easy, others suggest skimming is sufficient, and staying on top of readings is key to success.
LIS 202 explores information access barriers for low-income ethnic/racial minority communities and introduces the contemporary information society from a sociological perspective.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Assignments and exams are generally described as easy. Historical reviews note varying formats, with some instructors requiring no exams while others mandate essay exams.
Explores contemporary issues related to information in society, covering topics like information ethics, digital and print culture, and global information flows.
Examines the book as an active technology and site of debate across history, digital humanities, media studies, and industry contexts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Heather Wacha: Reviewers describe the course as potentially easy but made difficult by unclear grading criteria, or as tough grading that requires attending office hours for specific feedback.
Introduction to Digital Information teaches students to implement information infrastructures and analyze their social and policy impacts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Dorothea Salo: Exams are open-note on Canvas and assess lecture attendance rather than memory. Projects are fun and easily graded.
LIS 407 introduces data storytelling through visualization, teaching students to summarize, analyze, and communicate data effectively using software tools while addressing bias and limitations.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Xiang Zheng: Workload is manageable if students complete homework on time and attend class to follow demonstrations, though understanding concepts requires effort.
LIS 408 explores generative AI from a strategic information studies perspective, covering ethical, legal, and policy issues while teaching students to evaluate and implement AI tools.
LIS 440 introduces data science concepts, covering statistical tests, data management, programming, ethics, and visualization through real-world projects.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Assignments are repetitive with minor variable changes, and the course offers grace points, making it easy to achieve high grades with minimal effort.
LIS 461 introduces ethical, legal, and policy issues in analytics and algorithms, teaching students to critically analyze debates and apply moral reasoning to case studies.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Alan Rubel, Clinton Castro: The course is typically graded on three short papers and in-class assignments, which reviewers describe as easy to manage. However, writing can be time-consuming for those new to philosophical analysis, and dense readings require careful attention to grasp the core arguments.
APPLIED DATABASE DESIGN introduces database applications, design principles, and SQL for real-world data problems.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviewers found the workload light, noting that assignments were straightforward and often completed during class. Exams were described as lecture-heavy, requiring preparation based on lecture content.
Introduces human-centered interaction design for digital information systems, exploring core principles, cognition, and information science to develop new products and services.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of David McHugh: The course relies on one large group project, but reviewers report no plan to check on groups or ensure work is divided evenly.
LIS 500: CODE AND POWER prepares students to analyze media portrayals of race, gender, and computing while developing PHP web scripting skills.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Students report heavy self-study requirements, including watching extensive LinkedIn Learning videos and documentaries, with minimal direct instruction. The workload involves significant readings and films for short discussion posts, often accompanied by confusing module structures.
LIS 501 introduces computational methods for processing and analyzing text data, covering preparation, analytics, and NLP applications.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Aaron Enright: The workload consists of four major homeworks with flexible programming or essay options, but reviewers report a lack of grading feedback and unclear evaluation criteria.
LIS 510 introduces personal, social, and organizational concepts and skills for enhancing information security and privacy.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Dorothea Salo: The course is characterized as fairly easy with video lectures and heavy reading requirements. Some assignments and readings were perceived as disconnected from the main course material.