INFO-613 Government Information: Sources, Access And Democracy

3 Credits

This course will introduce students to official publications of the US federal government and large international organizations, as well as e-government policies and practices that drive their dissemination and availability. The focus will be on statistical legal, executive and international law sources. We will learn how to use these sources in reference and research, emphasizing the use of government information for civic advocacy and participation. The U.S. government is unique in both the volume of information it publishes, the level of openness in availability and dissemination of information, and dissemination of information, and the set of Sunshine Laws that keep Americans informed. Together with publications of large non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union and the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), they form the backbone of legal, statistical and data-sets worldwide.