Course number 21:278; 2 semester hours; Mondays, 12:30 - 2:20 p. m.; Jan. 22 - May 7, 2001; Room 3083 LIB.
 

Course text: students will be required to read documents from a variety of sources; required readings are available either via electronic means or from U. Iowa Main Library; it will not be necessary to purchase a textbook.
 

GENERAL READINGS

NOTE: for the required reading for a specific class, click on the date of that class
 

SCHEDULE
 

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION; CENSORSHIP READINGS FOR UNIT 1

Jan. 22: Introduction: definitions; basic principles of information policy. Class notes.

Jan. 29: Censorship and free access to information: history, general principles. Class notes.

Feb. 5: Current motives and areas for censorship.    Class notes.

Feb. 12: Censorship of Internet access, filtering software, recommended links.   Class notes.

Feb. 19: Other aspects of censorship and information access.  Class notes.

Feb. 26: The librarian: preparing for and reacting to attempts at censorship.
Note: students will form groups, divide into attackers and defenders,
select a book, and act out a realistic censorship situation.
Further information on this session.
 
 

UNIT 2: COPYRIGHT   READINGS FOR UNIT 2

Mar. 5: Copyright and the ownership of intellectual property; history; basic principles.    Class notes.

(Mar. 12): Spring break

Mar. 19: Librarians, information professionals and intellectual property rights; fair use.   Class notes.
NOTE CAREFULLY: preliminary version of term paper   must be submitted on this date

Mar. 26: Copyright in the digital environment.   Class notes.

Apr. 2: Licensing of intellectual property for access via library services.  Class notes.

Apr. 9: Other aspects of copyright.    Class notes.
 
 

UNIT 3: PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY READINGS FOR UNIT 3

Apr. 16: Privacy, Librarian / user relationship, Internet privacy, Echelon, Carnivore etc.; Information on children.   Class notes.

Apr. 23: Information and government: Government documents, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act.    Class notes.

Apr. 30: Final class: Other aspects of information policy: Spamming, Linking; Publishing, bookselling conglomerates; Accessibility.    Class notes.

May 7: Exam week: NOTE CAREFULLY: No exam, but final papers MUST be submitted by 2:20 p. m. on this date.
 

ADDITIONAL READINGS
 
 

PRODUCTS EXPECTED FROM STUDENTS

Term paper relating to an   aspect of information policy:

Preliminary outline of initial sections of paper; brief definition of the problem, objectives, preliminary literature review: approximately five pages

Final version: complete term paper; at least 15 pages
 
 

GRADING SCHEME

Preliminary outline: 20%;

Final paper: 50%;

Participation in "Preparing for and reacting to attempts at censorship" exercise: 20%;

General participation: 10%