CS 431 Architecture of Web Information Systems Spring 2004 Carl Lagoze Mon-Wed 1:25-2:15 Fri 1:25-2:15 (section) 3 credit hours

This course examines distributed information systems built on the World Wide Web.  Throughout the semester we will study the technical, economic, legal, and social issues in establishing higher levels of organization and management on Web architecture and resources.   Examples and topics will be drawn from both traditional libraries and networked information systems that are the result of emerging research in the computer science, Web, and library communities.

The major themes of the course are:

• the cost and functionality aspects of centralized  information environments such as traditional libraries versus decentralized environments like the Web
• the opportunities for exploiting raw computing power and intelligent algorithms and architectures to efficiently organize and manage distributed information at a low cost
• the role of people in managing distributed information systems and the effect of those systems on organizations and people

Course work will include both traditional project-based assignments to build expertise with basic toolsets and techniques and critical review of readings that cover a range of contextual areas.

• NOTICES

• Logistics
• Code of practice
• Syllabus
• Readings and references
• Projects