Scholarly Writing for the LIS Profession

Dates: March 16 - May 4, 2010
Times: Online synchronous sessions Tuesdays 2:00 - 3:00 pm central time.
NOTE: The first session on March 16 will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.
Instructor: Robert H. Burger, Ph.D., CPA, Professor Emeritus, GSLIS
Cost: $200

Librarians and information professionals interested in either learning about or improving their professional writing skills.

NOTE: This course was initially developed in coordination with and subsidized by the ATLA Professional Development and Publications Committee. This content of THIS version of the course is relevant to all librarians, regardless of subject specialty.

Purpose of the course: To introduce the student to the major genres of scholarly writing primarily through actual writing and editing assignments and discussion of essential elements and approaches to scholarly writing. An underlying assumption of the course is that writing is a social act, a way of knowing, and a way of thinking creatively and critically. Successful writing demands that the writer understand how readers respond to writing. Topics included are general introduction to scholarly writing and editing, practice with writing abstracts, reviews, editorials, columns and other opinion pieces, reporting the results of case studies, best practices, surveys and focus group research, and writing discipline focused scholarly articles. The book length work will not be covered.

Each assignment will consist of reading an example of the genre in question, critiquing it, and writing in that genre. Upon completion of the course the candidate is expected to be able confidently to compose abstracts, reviews, and other types of scholarly writing. Those taking the course may, with the prior consent of the instructor, substitute their current writing projects for some of the assignments.

Delivery format: The course will be conducted via the Moodle course management system, the same technology used by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science online education program (LEEP). The course will consist of 8 live synchronous sessions of 1 hour each, except for the first session which will be two hours, for a total of 9 direct contact hours. Students will also be expected to participate asynchronously during the 8 weeks via discussion boards to complete a variety of short writing assignments. The instructor’s feedback to assignments is detailed and timely.

Technology Requirements: Participants will need a reliable Internet connection via modem, ISDN, DSL, cable or other dedicated connectivity. A 28.8 or higher speed modem and SLIP, PPP, or other TCP/IP connectivity is required. Software requirements include a Java enabled Web Browser, Real Player software, and Adobe Reader. Hardware requirements are: an IBM compatible Pentium II or greater (at least 400mhz) with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP - or - Macintosh with OS 8 (or a more recent MacOS); 128MB RAM memory; a sound card with speakers and/or earphones; and a color monitor with at least 800x600 resolution.

Registration

To enroll in this course, please complete this REGISTRATION FORM

If you have questions, please contact Marianne Steadley, 217/244-2751 or -steadley@illinois.edu-.

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