Information Networks: Literature and Curriculum

The research reported in this paper is largely exploratory or preliminary to anticipated further investigation into the role of the published literature in curriculum development in the field of information networks. The following four facts are established: (1) information networks is a subset of information science; (2) information science curricula have been developed upon various bases; (3) the published literature is seldom mentioned in reports of information science curriculum development; and (4) information networks is beginning to be included in information science curricula. The following three products are presented: (1) a set of working definitions for curriculum development in the field of information networks; (2) a curriculum paradigm for a first graduate‐level course in information networks; and, (3) a list of key works for use in development and support of this curriculum. The heuristic method was utilized, both in the selection of the curriculum components and in the selection of the literature items which were taken largely from references in the first ten volumes of the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. A symbiotic relationship between the published literature and curriculum design is assumed. Preresearch activity included a literature search and a perusal and analysis of eight reports of curricula in information science.