Undergraduate degrees in information and library studies: a retrospect and revaluation

Abstract

The article attempts to analyse the effects of global developments and managerial philosophies on education and training for the 'information professions'. It is argued that these developments pose special problems for the identity of the 'information disciplines', particularly when the education and training delivery systems are in the form of undergraduate degrees. Crucial to the argument is the history of curriculum content and design from the 'apprentice' methods of the Library Association, through the early days of undergraduate degrees in librarianship to the fission and fusion of subject fields to emerge as new subject coalitions in the form of the composite schools and departments in contemporary higher education. As well as the 'knowledge maps' and their implications for professional coherence, the article looks anew at the old debate between practice and theory, and the innate tensions between the academic and professional forms of qualifications. The notes explain the idiosyncrasies of British academic terminology, and the appendices give details of the relevant professional schools and their undergraduate offerings for the aspiring student. 1. The global context The globalisation of communications is one of the buzzwords of this decade. Its most frequent use is by the true believers in the 'global village'. These envision a fascinating image of a highly-integrated world where no one will want for information; a world which will be an evenly-developed 'whole' of intelligent and high-speed networks where all manner of thing will be well. The opposition, which is more sceptical and claims closer contact with the 'real world', treats this view as mere rhetoric. Information professionals - and those who plan information courses - try for the path of virtue, and aim for the golden mean between irreconcilable extremes. We do know that the increasing speed and diminishing cost of telecommunications shrink the globe while governments and business corporations strive to take advantage. It is a matter of common knowledge that corporate giants establish futuristic manufacturing and service operations that overlap the world's *Kevin McGarry was Head of the School of Information Studies, Polytechnic of North London, and a member of the CNAA Information Studies Panel 1980--1992.