LIBR 200-09
Information and Society
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Renate Chancellor
E-mail
Office Hours:Virtual office hours: Telephone advising by appointment.
| Course Links Greensheet Course Outline |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
Textbooks | Course Requirements
This course will be delivered entirely online through Blackboard. Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard from January 23 – January 26. You will be required to use a password access code which I will send via the MYSJSU Messaging system prior to January 23.
The class begins on Saturday, January 26. 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: Demonstrated computer literacy. 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. 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.
Course Objectives
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. (Available through the eBookstore: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/books/index.php)
Recommended Text
You may find the following texts useful to consult during the semester:
- 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. (Available through the eBookstore. Free electronic version is available at: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/resources/apa_refguide.htm)
Additional Readings
For additional required course readings please check the Course Outline, available through our Blackboard course 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 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.
- Definition of Information. This assignment will allow you to examine the various ways information is defined by scholars in the field. You will choose a definition, find examples of how it used in society and defend you choice. Instructions will be provided.
- Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography. This assignment gets you started on your term paper by asking you to locate and evaluate 12 - 15 items (articles, books, websites, etc.) pertinent to your paper topic. Instructions will be provided.
- 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.
- Fieldwork: Visit an Information Center. This assignment requires you to visit an information center and interview an information professional , (i.e. library, museum, archive) and write a 3-5 page report. Instructions will be provided.
- 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. You must submit your topic proposal to the instructor for approval no later than February 29, 2008. 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.
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.
Grading
| Assignment | % | Due Date |
| Blackboard Discussions | 20 |
BiWeekly |
| Definition of Information | 5 |
February 8 |
| Fieldwork/Interview | 15 |
March 14 |
| Literature Review/Bib. | 15 |
March 21 |
| Professional Association | 15 |
April 11 |
| Research Paper | 30 |
April 25 |
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 Information. Introduction 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 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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