INTRODUCTION

This proposed Special Topics Course, supported by the National Library of China in Beijing,  is a short summer course for students who are interested in studying the differences and commonalities between digital libraries worldwide, particularly the current practice of digital libraries in mainland China, as a sample of digital libraries in different countries with different cultural/economic backgrounds.

The aims of this Special Project Study Abroad Course are to provide students with an understanding, discussion, and research in the fields of Chinese digital library activity, and physical observations of professional activities in which digital librarianship can be represented in matters of international interest.

Through this summer special topic course, students will have the opportunity to meet international library and information professionals, acquire hands-on knowledge of the technical aspects of database construction and develop professional competences. This practicum could provide our graduate students one of the finest educational experiences of outreach to the international library community, so they could further participate in future international professional programs, conferences, activities and/or cooperation projects to be held irregularly in different countries.

This Summer Special Project Study Abroad Course is based on the University’s "Faculty Guidelines for Courses Abroad" adopted in 2002.

Please contact Dr. Yan Quan Liu for the "China Course" program information.