Print Page
Information Ethics and Legal Issues (LIBT 2500)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3
Description:
This course explores ethical and legal issues related to information use and dissemination in libraries and society. You will analyze and evaluate the library profession's stance on intellectual freedom and censorship; ethical and legal theories of information; professional ethics and law; copyright and intellectual property; and security and privacy issues.
Topical Outline:
1. Introduction to philosophical ethics and ethical theories.
2. Information ethics in society (including: the moral value of information and knowledge; privacy; free speech; and the social and governmental control of information).
3. Professional Library Ethics (including: ALA Code of Ethics; Library Bill of Rights; Freedom to Read/View; Patron Privacy; Information Access; Material Selection; Censorship of Library Material, Diversity & Inclusion in Library Services).
4. The role of the library in enforcing and challenging intellectual property laws.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Analyze modern ethical theories as they apply to knowledge and information production, organization and use.
2. Evaluate the moral value of information and knowledge, especially as it relates to privacy, free speech, and the control of information by government and other social institutions.
3. Apply professional library codes of ethics to workplace situations.
4. Critically analyze the role that libraries play in shaping and enforcing copyright and intellectual freedom.
Prerequisites:
LIBT 1200,
LIBT 1300, or Instructor Approval