LIBR 200-19
Information and Society
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Dr. Anthony Bernier
E-mail
Home Phone: (510)339-6880
Office Hours: by appointment
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
Mission of the School
The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) educates professionals and develops leaders who organize, manage and enable the effective use of information and ideas in order to contribute to the well-being of our communities.
Getting Launched
SLIS utilizes a networked learning environment called Blackboard for class communications, submitting assignments, and grade records. You should enroll in our 200-19 Blackboard site between 16-23 January. You will be required to use a password access code I will send to you via the MYSJSU e-mail Messaging system prior to 16 January.
The class begins on Saturday, 26 January. Weekly sessions run from Saturday through Friday of the following week.
Course Description
This course is designed to explore the complex social, economic, historical, and technological developments that influence the impact of information on society. The mission, values and ethics of information professionals are also analyzed.
Course Prerequisites
New Student Technology Course. This is a mandatory short, self-paced online course on Blackboard that must be completed by all new SLIS students before the first day of classes. The access code for this course will be sent to new students via MySJSU. For more information, see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/slis/blackboardintro.htm
Course Objectives
At the completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Describe the role of information from historical, current, and future perspectives;
- Identify the various information sectors;
- Describe and evaluate issues involved in creating and disseminating information in society, with particular attention paid to information literacy;
- Understand the role of libraries and their relationship to other information providers;
- Identify and discuss the major values and codes of ethics associated with the information professions;
- Describe the impact of cultural diversity on the provision of user services by librarians and other information professionals;
- Describe and discuss important economic and policy issues related to the creation and dissemination of information;
- Understand and have experience with different forms and genres of professional writing.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know the foundations and structure of the information profession;
- Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature;
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of major issues in library and information science.
LIBR 200 course supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- Articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom;
- Compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
- Recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
- Understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups;
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations.
Textbooks and Readings
- Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman. (Available through the eBookstore: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/books/index.php)
- American Psychological Association. (2001) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: APA. (Available through the eBookstore. Free electronic version is available at: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/resources/apa_refguide.htm)
Additional journal articles and websites will be assigned for each unit. These will be available online.
Course Requirements
Complete the New Student Technology Workshop
This is a mandatory short, self-paced online workshop on Blackboard that must be completed by all new SLIS students before the first day of classes. The access code for this course will be sent to new students via MySJSU. If you have questions about this course, e-mail Debbie Faires or Dale David.
For more information, see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/slis/blackboardintro.htm
Assignments
- Blackboard discussions. Biweekly discussions that allow you to reflect on issues raised in the lectures and readings. Participation is mandatory.
Each discussion is worth 3 points. - LIS Resources Survey. This assignment is intended to introduce you to the major print and online sources used in library and information science research. You will be asked to examine 5 reference sources pertinent to your term paper topic and evaluate their content, quality, and usefulness. A bibliography and instructions will be provided.
15 points. - Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography. This assignment gets you started on your term paper by asking you to locate and evaluate 12 - 15 sources pertinent to your paper topic. Instructions will be provided.
27 points. - Librarians in Popular Culture Assignment. For this assignment, you will read a novel set in a library and watch a movie featuring a librarian as a main character. Based upon a review of the book and movie, you will write an essay that analyzes how libraries and librarians are represented in popular culture. A bibliography and filmography will be provided.
10 points - Term Paper. Write a formal research paper in which you analyze a significant issue confronting the information professional today. Paper topics may be selected from the areas covered in class or you may choose an issue of more personal interest that is relevant to the goals and objectives of this course. The text of your paper should be 15 to 20 pages in length; the reference list should include at least 20 citations. A bibliography is not required, but you may include one if you’d like to list sources not cited but consulted for background information and context. You will be graded on the extent of your research, your description and critical analysis of the topic, the evidence you provide in support of your argument, and the clarity and quality of your writing. Your references and formatting should adhere to the rules established in the APA Publication Manual.
30 points.
All assignments are due on Fridays and must be turned at 5 p.m. Late submissions will be reduced by 20% of the total points possible for that assignment.
Incompletes
Students should avail themselves of the policy for uncompleted coursework on the School’s website under “Registration.”
Dropping the Course
The last day to drop this course without an entry on your permanent record is
Monday 4 February 2008.
Grading
| Assignment | Points | Due Date |
| Blackboard Discussions | 18 points | BiWeekly |
| LIS Resources Survey | 15 points | 29 February |
| Literature Review | 12 points | 21 March |
| Annotated Bibliography | 15 points | 21 March |
| Book and Movie Review | 10 points | 11 April |
| Term Paper | 30 points | 9 May |
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:
- C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
- B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
- A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.
Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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