Information Architecture and Knowledge Management

Course Offerings
The current course offerings are available on the Schedules Page. IAKM core courses are scheduled in a Core Course Rotation that is subject to professor availability.

University Catalog Course Descriptions
The following course descriptions are taken from the Kent State University Graduate Schools Catalog. There is a printer-friendly version (PDF) of these descriptions available for download. Descriptions of special topics courses (IAKM 61095) may be found on the Special Topics Courses page.

IAKM 41096 Individual Investigation in Information Architecture, Information Use, or Knowledge Management
Research or individual investigation for baccalaureate-level students at or above the junior level.

IAKM 60001 Foundations - Information Architecture and Knowledge Management I
Overview of Information Architecture, Information Use, and Knowledge Management. Basic skills and understandings in information literacy, organization of knowledge, information sources and searching. Information sciences, systems, and professionals in the information society.

IAKM 60002* Foundations - Information Architecture and Knowledge Management II * Prerequisite: IAKM 60001
Introduction to various types of knowledge organization systems / services / structures (KOS) used in the networked environment. Understanding of the functional, philosophical, logical, and linguistic fundamentals of KOS . Explanation of design options, features of KOS , and procedures to be used in the thesaurus, taxonomy, and ontology construction.

IAKM 60005 Information Technologies
The course will encompass five themes associated with information technologies (IT): IT in the Organization; The Web Revolution; Organizational Applications; Managerial and Decision Support Systems; and Implementing and Managing IT. Topics range from systems infrastructure, competitive advantage, data warehousing, evaluation methods and IT economics.

IAKM 60006 Strategic Information Management
Fundamental concepts of strategy, resource management, and systems theory are explored and then applied to diverse problems in information technology (IT) management. Specific IT studied includes information systems analysis and design, telecommunications, data management, and emerging artificial intelligence resources. Both theory and technologies are examined with a particular emphasis on their relevance to the emerging problems of electronic commerce.

IAKM 60101 Information Architecture I
An overview of the concepts and practices of information architecture (IA), providing students the opportunity to develop practical skills related to information architecture. IA seeks to minimize the limitations on an organization's ability to provide information and communication within and among organizations, clients, suppliers, etc. through the creation of “information spaces.”

IAKM 60102 Information and Visual Design (formerly IAKM 60003, Information Design in the Digital Age)
Examines the influence of digital technologies on the structure and presentation of information. Provides a cultural and technological context for understanding the information design process. Introduces practical design principles for digital media.

IAKM 60103 Research Methods for Information Architecture
Quantitative and qualitative methods for information architecture; information needs and modeling for information systems; user experience research techniques: recruiting, interviewing, focus groups, user profiles, contextual inquiry, field studies; proposal development and presentation of results.

IAKM 60110 Content Management Systems
This course provides an overview of the concepts and practices of Content Management (CM) and Content Management Systems (CMS), including understanding the parts and branches of a CMS, criteria for selecting a CMS, CMS configuration, and evaluating and implementing CMS software.

IAKM 60111 Online Branding
This course will focus on the strategies needed to advance brands through effective online experiences including web sites, intranets, extranets and emerging web technologies. Students will also learn how to extend the brand through personalization, localization and other segmentation techniques.

IAKM 60112 Advanced Information Architecture
Web site design from emerging directions, such as the separation of content from presentation, with e.g., the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting web-based documents. The course includes considerations of making web sites compliant with federal regulations or other standards and validation for various markup guidelines.

IAKM 60198 Master's Project
Students must register for this course during the semester of their Information Architecture and Knowledge Management project. Not repeatable. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

IAKM 60201 Usability I
This course will provide a conceptual and practical overview of the processes and methods of usability testing, such as Think Aloud protocols, performance measurements, and eye-tracking analysis. Actual usability testing will be performed, using quantitative and qualitative methods and employing current and emerging software tools to facilitate data collection and analysis.

IAKM 60202 Usability II
This course will provide students with an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for conducting advanced studies of human interaction with computers. In addition, students will learn how to evaluate, purchase, implement, and operate equipment for usability labs in a manner consistent with research methods.

IAKM 60203 User and Task Analysis
In order to design and develop effective user interfaces, task analysis process and theory are explored and applied via principles drawn from anthropology, ethnography, cognitive psychology, document and instructional systems design and market research. Practical techniques and methodologies are presented to improve interface design through all phases of the design process.

IAKM 60301 Foundational Principles of Knowledge Management
This course covers an introduction to: historical roots for knowledge and knowledge management; theories/definitions of knowledge; theories, applications, tools, and practices of KM; Knowledge Management Life-Cycle Framework and Models; significant issues in KM – best practices, culture, economics, strategy, intellectual capital, sustainable innovation.

IAKM 60302 Document, Records, and Content Management for the Enterprise
This course provides principles, projects, and practices for organizational memory management that includes document, records, media, email and enterprise content management with concerns for strategy, compliance, policy, security and workflow. Prerequisites: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, IAKM 60005, IAKM 60301 or permission of instructor.

IAKM 60303 Effective Knowledge Management in Organizations
Co-learners will gain practical as well as theoretical insight into the dynamics of knowledge management (KM) within various organizational settings. Emphasis will be given to the human, technological, and business dimensions of KM, both now and looking into the future. It will consider KM systems and tools, KM processes, KM infrastructure, and KM measurement. Prerequisites: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, IAKM 60005, IAKM 60301 or permission of instructor.

IAKM 60304 Research Methods for Knowledge Management
This course provides a broad overview of the use of qualitative methods in knowledge management, including an examination of the process of conducting qualitative research from conceptualization, design, data collection, articulation, and preliminary implementation. Critical thinking, analysis, and writing skills are emphasized.

IAKM 60310 Intellectual Capital Management
This course encompasses the new knowledge-intensive economic units: human capital and social capital intellectual assets, intellectual property, brands, and trademarks. A “lifecycle” approach for intellectual assets is described—creation, codification, valuation, protection, and leveraging of intellectual assets for competitive advantage.

IAKM 60311 Business Process Management
Introduction to Business Process Management and Workflow Management. BPM will describe how organizational business processes, (internal, external, manual and automated), can be transformed and managed to increase efficiency, effectiveness and positively affect performance. Topics include the discovery, analysis, modeling and automation of workflow processes.

IAKM 60312 Business Intelligence – Competitive Intelligence
An introduction to strategic intelligence consisting of competitive and business Intelligence. Strategic intelligence is an art, science, and craft. Businesses and governments require effective intelligence programs, processes, and tools to track businesses, competitors, markets and trends by acquiring, creating, managing, packaging, and disseminating intelligence knowledge.

IAKM 60313 Strategic Knowledge Management – Virtual Communities
Strategic Knowledge Management as it manifests in Virtual Communities: Communities-of-Practice (COPs) and Communities-of-Interest (COIs). Areas covered include: trust, facilitation of virtual communities, leadership and emotional intelligence in a virtual environment, social network analysis, and supporting learning communities with collaborative tools.

IAKM 60691 Seminar in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management
Advanced research by small groups of students who are qualified to examine problems of certain special areas in information architecture, information usability or knowledge management.

IAKM 60692 Practicum in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management
Supervised work experience in information architecture, information use or knowledge management of a professional nature of not less than 100 clock hours with directed readings and preparation of a paper. May not be repeated. IP permissible.

IAKM 60693 Variable Title Workshop in Information Architecture, Information Use or Knowledge Management
Intensive examination of special topics of interest to those involved in information architecture, information use or knowledge management. Maximum number of workshop credits for the MS-IAKM degree is 4 semester hours. S/U Grading.

IAKM 60792 Internship in Information Architecture, Information Use or Knowledge Management
Supervised work experience of an advanced professional nature that concentrates on developing skills in Information Architecture, Information Use or Knowledge Management. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and Director's Approval.

IAKM 61095 Special Topics in Information Architecture, Information Use or Knowledge Management
Offered irregularly as resources and/or opportunities permit. Topics could include current or emerging issues in information architecture, information usability or knowledge management. Specific topics can be found here.

IAKM 61096 Individual Investigation in Information Architecture, Information Use or Knowledge Management
Research or individual investigation for master's level graduate students. Maximum credit per registration: 3 hours. Maximum credit towards master's degree: 6 hours. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Permission.

IAKM 61199 Thesis I
Thesis students must register for a total of 6 hours, 2 to 6 hours in a single semester, distributed over several semesters, if desired. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

IAKM 61299 Thesis II
Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

*Denotes a course with prerequisites.