School of Information 658
Information Architecture

The term "Information Architecture" has become popular in the past few years as people have realized that there is a whole set of principles, concepts, techniques, and tools that are required to build and maintain effective information spaces in distributed systems, particularly those accessible through the World Wide Web. The scope of the field of information architecture encompasses the myriad technologies, techniques, and principles associated with producing these.

This definition implies a vast array of computer hardware and software; principles and techniques for graphical design; and concepts and tools for organizing content effectively. Furthermore, all of this must be considered within the framework of the needs of the various audiences who will use these resources. Thorough preparation in the field of information architecture -- that is, becoming an information architect -- requires knowledge which comes from a multiplicity of fields and perspectives, including computer science, human computer interaction, graphic design, and library and information science.

This course has the following purposes:

• To introduce students to the emerging area of information architecture
• To provide students with the concepts necessary to understand what makes a particular information architecture "good"
• To investigate information architectures from the standpoint of both "collections" to be organized and users to be served
• To explore the technological options for implementing a given site, insofar as they enable or limit the organization scheme being designed
• To give students hands-on experience in designing an information architecture for a given audience
  

Credits: 3

Course Homepage: http://semanticstudios.com/publications/iasyllabus.html