Current Trends in Library and Information Studies Curricula

摘要

The present study presents an analysis of curricula offered atlibrary and information studies departments in different partsof the world. Data was collected from the websites of 30departments in 21 countries and coded based on the typologyproposed by Wilson in 2001. This typology proposes five majorsubject fields that can be combined to better represent thecomplexities present in the curricula. The analysis of curriculain the sample revealed that the five subject fields proposed byWilson's typology are present in the sample. The categoryscheme presents a long list of categories that represent differentcombinations between the five subject fields, revealing asample of curricula centered on information and technology subjects that emphasize users' needs. Findings show that thelargest percentage of the courses examined relates to informa-tion content in general and to content provided to specificgroups of users. Technology courses are the second majorcategory present in the curricula examined. The examinationalso revealed an additional and important category, not foundin Wilson's original typology, which encompasses supportingnon-library related courses. This category is the third largestcategory in the sample and it reflects an interdisciplinary trendin the curricula examined that aims at providing students withknowledge in subject areas not related to information andlibrarianship.