Department of Library & Information Studies, The University of West Indies, Mona


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	Library & Information Studies

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Fieldwork

Master In Library & Information Studies — Option 1

ADMISSION
To be admitted to the programme, applicants must be graduates of an approved university, normally with at least a lower second class honours degree. Previous work experience in libraries is an advantage but is not essential. Applicants are required to be computer literate, ( that is to have a basic knowledge of the operations of a computer and the software associated with it). It is therefore in the interest of applicants, at this stage to ensure that they have had an introductory course, before entering the program.

DURATION
The formal programme will normally last for fifteen (15) months full-time and thirty (30) months part time.

PROGRAM
Students are required to obtain a total of thirty-six credits consisting of:
Ten 3-credit courses 30 credits
Three months fieldwork (Pass/Fail only)
Research Paper 10,000—15,000 words 6 credits

The formal programme will normally last for fifteen (15) months. During the first nine months (September—May) the student will be required to read ten (10) semester courses.

In the first semester (September—December), the student will be required to take FOUR (4) compulsory courses and ONE (1) elective.

During the next semester (January—May), the student will take TWO (2) compulsory courses and THREE (3) electives.

During the ensuing three months (June—August) the student will be attached to an approved library for the satisfactory completion of a fieldwork placement.

In the last semester (September—December), the student will return to the University to attend not less than FOUR (4) seminars and to present a research paper which should normally be handed in within eighteen (18) months of initial registration in the programme.

The seminars are intended to bring the group together for discussion of their work and to relate theory and practice after their fieldwork experience.

Students who have previously completed the Diploma in Library Studies and who have demonstrated academic growth, may, on the recommendation of the Department be admitted to complete the Master in Library Studies programme. The minimum period for such students will be one semester.

COURSE OF STUDY
Each candidate for the Master in Library Studies (Option 1) will be required to pursue a course of study and to sit examinations in ten (10) courses set out below:

SEMESTER I
Compulsory courses are: (3 credits each)
1. LS60A—Foundations of Library and Information Studies
2. LS61A—Management of Information Units
3. LS62A—Subject Work in Information Retrieval
4. LS63A—Bibliography and Reference Methods & Materials

Elective courses are: (3 credits each)
5. LS65A—Information Technology I OR
LS66A—Audiovisual Resources and Services OR
LS67A—Comparative and International Information Studies OR
LS67B—History of Books and Printing OR
LS67C—Archive and Record Management

SEMESTER II
Compulsory courses: (3 credits each)
1. LS62B—Catalogue Creation and Use
2. LS64A—Research in Information Work
NOTE: Students who have read a Research Methodology course before, may, with the approval of the Head of Department, take another course chosen from the electives listed below.

Elective courses are: (3 credits each)
3. LS61B—Management of University and Research Libraries OR
LS61C—Management of Special Libraries and Information Centres OR
LS61D—Management of Public Library Services OR
LS61E—Management of School Libraries and Learning Resource Centres

4. LS63B—Information Resources in Science and Technology OR
LS63C—Information Resources in the Humanities OR
LS63D—Information Resources in the Social Sciences OR
LS63E—Contemporary Literature for Children and Young Adults

5. LS65B—Information Technology II OR
LS66B—Audiovisual Resources and Services II OR
Any of the elective courses listed at five (5) of the first semester which are offered but not previously taken OR
Any other course which may be approved from time to time.
Currently not being offered

Thereafter the student will be required to successfully complete a fieldwork placement in an approved institution during the following three months (June—August). This requirement may be waived by the Department for those students who have already had considerable field experience at a high level of administration.

In succeeding semester (September—December), students will be required to return to the University campus to attend not less than 4 seminars and to present a research paper of between 10,000 to 15,000 words.