Tracing the evolution of iSchools through language

Abstract

This talk examines the trajectory of information schools in North America, beginning from the 1980s, through the perspective of language. We apply discourse and semiotic analysis to information school promotion and branding strategies to investigate how the priorities, visions, and scope of iSchools have changed over time. Using the University of Toronto’s iSchool as a case study, we explore the evolution of its academic degrees from conception to present, observing the increasing multidisciplinary nature of the program.