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GSLIS Doctoral Courses
Note regarding credit hours: Existing DA students have the option of taking courses for either three or four credits. For DA students converting to the Ph.D. program and new students enrolling in the Ph.D. program, all courses will be three credits. More information is available at http://my.simmons.edu/gslis/curriculum/.
Course descriptions:
LIS 600 - Supervised Study (1 semester hour for Ph.D. students; 2 semester hours for D.A. students)
Open only to students in the doctoral program. Required of all such students (1) not in residence in any regular semester in order to maintain matriculation, (2) not taking a course for credit during the fall or spring semester, and (3) working on their concept paper, proposal, or their field research project. Supervised study may not be applied toward academic credit requirements for the doctoral degree.
LIS 601 - Independent Study for Doctoral Students
Independent Study offers an opportunity for the doctoral student to pursue individual study related to aspects of management not covered in detail in the regular course offerings. Independent Study may be a reading course, a group investigation of a topic of mutual interest, or a directed research project. An end result will be an oral presentation to the faculty supervisor and the Committee on Doctoral Studies, as well as a possible paper of publishable quality.
LIS 620 - History, Concepts, and Research Opportunities
LIS 620 serves as a foundation and a cohort-building course. The course takes an international perspective in exploring historical developments, current issues, and research activities of interest to library and information science, archival studies, and related information fields. It reviews the history and major developments in LIS education and considers the role of scholarship in higher education. It introduces key topics related to the research process, including problem identification, funding opportunities, the communication of findings, use of human subjects, research ethics, and research misconduct. Assignments include papers, presentations, leading classroom discussions, and completion of the Simmons College Institutional Review Board "Investigator 101" module. This is the required first course for PhD students.
LIS 621 - Conducting Research
This course addresses the theories, principles, and practices of social science research. It examines reflective inquiry (including the development of the problem statement, literature review, theoretical framework, logical structure, research objectives, and questions/hypotheses) and research design, data collection methods, and data analysis. The course also covers generalizability, reliability and validity, and the report and presentation of research results. Methods in quantitative and qualitative data analysis are introduced. Students are able to develop their own research proposals and select appropriate methods based on specific research questions. The course builds on themes and research concepts introduced in LIS 620: History, Concepts and Research Opportunities. The course requirement might include assignments, quizzes, research projects, and presentation of the research results. Pre-req: LIS 620.
LIS 666 - Advanced Problems in School Media Center Administration
Application of management theory to the school library media program at the system/ district level. Emphasis on system-wide coordination, principles, and methods of supervision; program development and implementation; and newer trends. A field-based component of 75 clock hours in this course is required. Prerequisite: LIS 406 or equivalent.
LIS 667 - Internship S/D (preK-12)
An educational experience consisting of 150 clock hours in actual service in a public school system in which the candidate acquires practical supervisory experience under the direction of a local employer. Supervision and evaluation are the responsibilities of the Director of the SLTP program. Registration is arranged with the Director of the SLTP program for the Supervisor/Director certificate. A student who intends to become certified as a Supervisor/ Director is required to take the appropriate field work components in LIS 667-669.
LIS 668 - Practicum S/D (preK-12)
An educational field-based experience for students needing a practicum as Supervisor/ Director certification requirement. Students will have the opportunity to practice supervisory skills and media methods under the direction of a faculty member and cooperating practitioner. A minimum of 75 clock hours will be arranged. Registration is arranged with the Director of the SLTP program. A student who intends to become certified as a Supervisor/Director is required to take the appropriate field work components in LIS 667-669.
LIS 669 - Clinical Experience S/D (preK-12)
An educational field-based experience for students needing a clinical experience per the Supervisor/Director certification requirement. This experience must be in the role as Supervisor/Director at the preK-12 level. Students must demonstrate the ability to integrate content area knowledge with pedagogical theory and practice. A minimum of 400 clock hours or one full semester is required. A student who intends to become certified as a Supervisor/Director is required to take the appropriate field work components in LIS 667-669.
LIS 671 - Managerial Leadership for Library and Information Services
This course reviews the major contributions to contemporary managerial leadership research, theory, and practice, including such areas as strategic planning, change management, and team building. It also places emphasis on a greater awareness of one's behavior, its impact on others, and the elements needed to influence people to accomplish desired goals in information organizations.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 672 - Research for Managerial Leadership for Library and Information Services
Research for managerial leadership is positioned within the larger context of social science research. The course examines the research process from conceptualization of a researchable problem, through the reflective inquiry process, to completion (including review of the publication process). The need for research in library and information science is discussed, as well as trends and issues, types of research studies, problem identification, and the set up and reporting activities of a research study.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 675 - Evaluation of Library and Information Services
The course applies the principles of evaluation research to contemporary problems related to managerial leadership in the information professions. Building on the Research for Managerial Leadership for Library and Information Science course, it covers the fundamentals of identifying and investigating problems relevant to continuous quality improvement and communicating the results to decision makers. It also provides an introduction to statistics and accountability.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 676 - Leadership in Financial Management for Library and Information Services
This course provides an overview of financial management for libraries, information-related organizations, and projects within the context of identified leadership values. The topics of planning, implementing and reporting on budgets, financial management measures, internal and external communications, partnering, stewardship, and integrity are all issues that are discussed relative to the desired outcomes of institutional accountability, credibility, and trust.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 677 - Human Resources Management for Library and Information Services
This course is a comprehensive examination of the various functions and responsibilities of human resource management. This course will cover human resources management (HRM) as it relates to strategic planning for human resources development; work design; recruitment, selection and retention of staff; compensation and position classification; performance planning and assessment; labor relations; motivating and leading a diverse workforce; and staff and organization development. The course also examines the interactions among managers, administrators, staff, and human resource management specialists.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 678 - Managing and Leading Library and Information Services in a Political Environment
This course covers the skills necessary for interacting with the larger communities in which libraries and information centers operate (academic institutions, municipalities, corporations). It will specifically address advocacy and cooperation within complex, multi-stakeholder power structures as encountered when working with administrators, political leaders, and community groups (e.g., citizens, faculty, and students). The effect of political contexts on planning activities will also be covered.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 680 - Independent Inquiry
Students execute two managerial leadership research studies. Activity may begin upon completion of LIS 672 (Research for Managerial Leadership for Library and Information Services) and concurrently or subsequent to LIS 675 ( Statistics for Evaluation of Library and Information Services ). The Independent Inquiry research projects will be the execution of the research proposals developed in LIS 672 (becomes 680a research study) and LIS 675 (becomes 680b research study). This learning activity will have a flexible time frame, but it must be completed as a prerequisite to the capstone course, Issues in Leading Transformation in Library and Information Services. Program faculty will guide students in developing an appropriate schedule for completion of both studies. Students will produce two research papers of publishable quality.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 688 - Fundraising and Entrepreneurial Strategies for Library and Information Services
Resource development, that is the identification and successful recruitment of new sources of funds to advance the library and information services program, is an essential aspect of leadership and strategic progress. This course addresses two aspects of resource development: fundraising and entrepreneurial strategies. The conditions and trends in the environment of libraries and information services which drive resource development will be identified. The cultural, organizational, and programmatic elements of successful library fundraising programs will be reviewed and debated, with a particular focus on the role of the library leader. The function of innovation, risk-taking, competition and business planning in enabling and promoting entrepreneurial thinking and action in library and information services will be discussed, with an emphasis on income-generating projects.
Course details (PDF)
LIS 699 - Dissertation/Supervised Field Research
Open only to doctoral students who have completed 32 semester hours and have successfully passed the comprehensive examination. Note: while working on the dissertation or field research project, students are enrolled in LIS 600 in the fall and spring semesters. The semester in which the study is completed, the student enrolls in LIS 699.