LIBR 200-05
LIBR 200-14
Information and Society
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Kevin Bontenbal
E-mail
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
The access code for this course for Blackboard will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the MySJSU messaging system a few days prior to start of the semester. The course will be open for self-enrollment at the time the access code is sent.
Course Description
Explores 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.
Prerequisites: Demonstrated computer literacy
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 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
Required Text
- Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
Recommended Text
- Eberhart, G. M. (2006). The whole library handbook 4: Current data, professional advice, and curiosa about libraries and library services. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
- American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, DC: APA.
Go to SLIS eBookstore.
Additional Readings
Other required readings will be listed on the course syllabus and made available on the class web site.
Course Requirements
Complete the 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 orientation. 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
Required Home Computing Environment
Please see the School’s “Home Computing Requirements” at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm
Blackboard
This course will be conducted entirely online using the Blackboard Learning System. Lectures, assignments, and most communications, including discussions and announcements, will be conducted via Blackboard.
Please see the Blackboard Tutorials on how to enroll in a Blackboard course at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/blackboard/search_enroll/enroll.htm. To self-enroll in the Blackboard site for this course you must:
- Be registered for the course FIRST.
- The access code for the Blackboard site will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the My.SJSU.edu messaging system a day or two prior to the beginning of the course.
You must be extremely organized, disciplined and self-motivated in order to complete an online course successfully. Though you can access the course materials online anytime, plan to set aside time each day to complete the readings and assignments. It’s too easy to get behind quickly.
Assignments
Here is an overview of the assignments for this course:
- Readings
Each week there will be:- an online “lecture” provided by the instructor via Blackboard;
- readings from the textbook;
- article readings regarding information and society, and;
- other readings as assigned, including vendor information and web sites.
- Online Discussions
Every other week a discussion topic/question based on the lectures, the textbook reading, and/or the other readings will be posted to the class discussion board. Each student will be expected respond to these discussion topics/questions and to participate in the discussion with other students in class. - Reflective Essays
Students will be asked to write TWO reflective essays on any topic covered in the syllabus. Each essay should be a minimum of two pages, double-spaced. - Professional Journal Review/Analysis
This assignment involves the review of a library and information science journal. You can select any of the journals from Rubin's book (Appendix A) for review or one that is related to library and information science. This review/analysis should be at least two pages, double-spaced. - Review/Analysis of a Professional Association
This assignment involves a written report about a library and information science association. You can select any of the associations from Rubin's book (Appendix B) or one that is related to library and information science. This review/analysis should be at least two pages, double-spaced. - Research 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 (as long as the topic is approved by the instructor). 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 required of the sources both cited and 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.
Grading
Total Possible Points is 200:
| Discussions Topic Responses (5 points each) | 40 points |
| Reflective Essays (25 points each) | 50 points |
| Professional Journal Review/Analysis | 15 points |
| Review/Analysis of a Professional Association | 15 points |
| Research Paper | 80 points |
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.
Course Calendar
| Week One | Libraries and Society Explore the history of libraries, information services and information technology. Examine the role of libraries and their relationship to other information providers. Look at the provision of library and information services in the information society.Get acquainted with the class web site, each other, and acquire necessary materials. |
| Week Two | Characteristics of InformationIntroduction to the concepts of information in a free society and a historical perspective on the need to provide equal access to information in order to maintain a democratic society. |
| Week Three | Information and Society Discuss the concept of the “Information Society” and its place in political, historical, and sociological perspective. Considers the role of technology in society and how it relates to social change. |
| Week Four | Libraries, Information, and Technology Reviews the social, political, and technical changes caused by technology in the information workplace. |
| Week Five | The Profession of Librarianship Explores the socially constructed role of the library and information professions. |
| Week Six | Ethics of the Profession Examines the ethical basis for professional activities. |
| Week Seven | The Information Professional Assesses the economic and social value added by the work of information professionals. |
| Week Eight | The Information User Examines theories and methodologies for determining user information needs and helping expand information literacy skills. |
| Week Nine | Spring Break No Class |
| Week Ten | Special Populations, Multiculturalism and Values Examines the multicultural mission of information workers and information institutions to serve a variety of special populations. |
| Week Eleven | Professional Associations Explores the mission and activities of professional organizations. |
| Week Twelve | Information Economics Examines the economic issues related to information access and ownership. |
| Week Thirteen | Information Policy Reviews major policy issues related to information with special emphasis on information policy in a democratic society. |
| Week Fourteen | Intellectual Property and Freedom Explores issues relating to information ownership and intellectual freedom. |
| Week Fifteen | The Future of Information Examines critical issues and predictions for the future of the information society. |
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Sources must be properly cited in papers as specified in class. I take this very seriously. The San José State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced.
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
Contact the webmaster
