Course Title & Number: Copyright for Information Professionals, IST 735 Syllabus Modified: A. B. August 1, 2012
Pre-and/or Co-requisites: None. Course Description: Once a legal backwater that interested only specialists and attorneys, copyright law issues are now considered central to the nation’s information infrastructure. With the advent of digital technologies, copyright law has become more complex than ever, as longstanding rules and concepts have now been questioned amidst the advent of things like Kazaa, YouTube, Google Book Search, e-book reserves and online education. This course is designed to provide information professionals with a firm foundation in the fundamental rules of American copyright law, and will equip such professionals with the tools to make informed decisions about copyright issues that occur in the workplace. While the course is optimized for librarians and library science candidates, its content is relevant for information professionals working in any field. Required Texts, Readings and Supplies: It is assumed that each student will have regular access to the Internet in order to obtain the readings as well as for participating in the class. Required Text: Kenneth D. Crews, Copyright Law for Librarians and Educators: Creative Strategies and Practical Solutions (3rd revised edition ed.). ISBN 978-0838910924. Additional reading will be assigned from: Copyright Law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Tıtle 17 of the United States Code (Circular 92), October 2009, online in its entirety at http://www.copyright.gov/title17/circ92.pdf Edward Samuels. The Illustrated Story of Copyright. Thomas Dunne Books, December 2000, online in its entirety at http://www.edwardsamuels.com/illustratedstory/index.htm Peter Hirtle, Emily Hudson and Andrew Kenyon. Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for Digitization for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2009. Online in its entirety at http://hdl.handle.net/1813/14142 …and from other sources.
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IST 735: Copyright for Information Professionals
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Learning Outcomes: At the end of the semester, students should be able to:
Discuss the implications of copyright on digital libraries, distance learning and classroom use of copyrighted materials. Articulate the legal framework that can be applied to copyright situations when engaged in knowledge work. Discuss the relationships of the sources of copyright law: U.S. Constitution, court decisions, legislation, and regulations. Analyze emerging technology copyright issues affecting libraries, and articulate library and content owner arguments for new interpretations and iterations of the law. Identify reputable current sources on digital copyright issues. Understand and be able to apply the exceptions that limit a copyright owner’s exclusive rights. Develop a system for resolving copyright issues that may arise in their workplace.
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Course Calendar, Assignments & Grading: Course Calendar: Please note that this class begins on Monday, August 27. The course calendar lists readings for the semester; however, additional readings may be assigned as needed. Readings are listed in four categories: Read – If a reading is categorized under “read”, then it is mandatory that you read and understand the material. These reading assignments will help you understand the topic and the assignments. Review – Readings categorized under “review” may present information from a different point of view or duplicate other material. You should review these items to ensure that you understand the material. You might
