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.

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 IAKM in Context
Overview of the IAKM program and its concentrations. 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 Knowledge Organization Structures, Systems, and Services
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 60101 Information Architecture 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.” Prerequisites: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, or permission of instructor.

IAKM 60102 Information and Visual Design
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 Researching the User Experience
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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, or permission of instructor.

IAKM 60104 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 60105 Information Technologies
This course deals with four aspects of information technology: essential technology concepts, the making of software, the social consequences of information technology, and the role of non-programmers in technology design. Topics will cover a wide range: operating systems, networks, search engines, markup languages, social software, dynamic languages, cloud computing, open source software, technology trends, and the history of computing.

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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60105 or permission of instructor.

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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60101 or permission of instructor.

IAKM 60113 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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60101, IAKM 60103 or permission of instructor.

IAKM 60114 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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60104

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 and Records Management
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.

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.

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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, or permission of instructor.

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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60301, IAKM 60302, or permission of instructor.

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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60301, IAKM 60302, or permission of instructor.

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. Prerequisites: IAKM 60301, IAKM 60302, or permission of instructor.

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 61098 Master's Project
Provides a means for the application of the knowledge, research and competencies learned through study in the Information Architecture and Knowledge Management Program to the development of an information system, product, setting or service. Not repeatable. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: Special permission.

IAKM 61081 Capstone Experience
Provides students the opportunity to integrate their knowledge from all IAKM courses and experiences, interact with other IAKM students who may have different perspectives, and make connections with real-world problems through a guided, project-based, collaborative culminating experience. Prerequisite: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002 and special permission.

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 on the latest course schedule.

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. Prerequisite: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, and special permission.

IAKM 61299 Thesis II
Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible. Prerequisite: IAKM 60001, IAKM 60002, IAKM 61199, and special permission.