 Information Science is a discipline that looks at the
nexus of information, people, and technology. Although
a relatively young discipline, it has its roots in the
work of philosophers including Aristotle and Plato. The
field is evolving at an amazing rate, given the deluge
of information created everyday and the breakneck pace
of technology development. An understanding of the
critical foundations of this discipline will help Information
professionals and students to better grasp the fundamental
nature of information. This understanding can be
acquired by taking the “Introduction to Information
Science” course, offered on-line by the School of
Information Sciences (iSchool) at the University of Pittsburgh.
The course will be taught by Dr. Anthony Debons, one of
the early founders of the Information Science discipline. This
course, LIS 2970: Introduction to
Information Science,
will discuss the key concepts about the human and technological
aspects of data, information and knowledge that are the
foundations of Information Science. The course will
be offered through the iSchool’s FastTrack MLIS Program,
an online platform for Library and Information Science
education. A special discount will be offered to
members of the American Society for Information Science
and Technology (ASIS&T).
This course will examine the evolution of the discipline,
contemporary research efforts, professional associations
that foster the area of interest, and the future of careers
and research in the field of study. The system point
of view will be emphasized to provide a structure for the course. This
view uses a living organism as a conceptual model for identifying the essential
elements that define augmented data, information and knowledge (ADIK systems). Information
systems are comprised of events, inputs, and transmission processing. The
course will examine the knowledge subsystem which includes decision making, problem
solving, and communications. Dr. Debons will highlight the role of the
library as well as technological developments in ADIK processing – he will
also focus on the human factors which govern all ADIK systems.
Dr. Debons has been researching and teaching in the Information
Science field since 1967. His contributions to the discipline
are numerous and critical to the development of educational
programs about Information Science. His
research interests include measurement of information and
knowledge; the organization of information and knowledge
for creativity; and theories and principles for the analysis
and design of information/knowledge systems. His
publications include Information
Science: An
Integrated View with E. Horne and S. Cronenweth
in 1988. The book was honored with the Best Book Award
from the American Society of Information Science.
The course is available online to members of the ASIS&T
community. If ASIS&T members are interested in taking
the course for credit towards a degree at the University
of Pittsburgh or other educational institutions, they should
expect to pay the standard in-state or out-of-state tuition. However,
the iSchool will offer a $500 scholarship towards the cost
of the course. If
ASIS&T members want to take the course on a not-for-credit
basis, there is a one-time fee of $1000. Please click here
to indicate your interest in taking the course and your
status as an ASIS&T member. Since the course
is being offered on-line, you can view the lectures and
participate in discussion boards remotely, which better
accommodates your work or family schedule.
Dr. Anthony Debons, Professor Emeritus, School of Information
Sciences, University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Anthony Debons, born in Malta on April 16, 1916, immigrated
to the United States in 1923 and became a citizen in 1941. He
served in World War II, and saw action in both the Battle
of Britain and the Battle of the Bulge. Following
the war, the army detailed him to complete his undergraduate
work at Brooklyn College. After the Korean War, he
completed a PhD in experimental psychology at Columbia
University in 1954 and held a number of posts working on
visual displays, command and control systems and decision
support systems before he retired from the military ten
years later.
He began his second career in 1964 as a professor and
chair of the Psychology Department at the University of
Dayton where he became the first chairman of the Department
of Information Science in 1967. Then, in 1968, he moved
to the University of Pittsburgh as Vice Chairman, followed
by Chairman, of the Interdisciplinary Department of Information
Sciences.
Since Dr. Debons’ retirement in 1986, he has held
several visiting professorships internationally. When
not in residence at other universities, he continues to
work and produce scholarly materials at the School of Information
Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
If you’re an ASIS&T member, and would like to
take Dr. Debons’ course, please submit this information.
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