LIBR 200-01
Information and Society
Spring 2006 Greensheet
Dr. Debra Hansen
E-mail
Phone: (714) 278-7288
Office Hours:
Wednesdays, 2:00-4:00. In-person and telephone meetings available other times by appointment.
| Course Links Greensheet Online Lectures Schedule |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Required Text and Readings | Course Requirements
Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard before February 12. You will be required to use a password access code, which I will provide on the LIBR 200-10 MySJSU Messaging system.
Course Description
This is a class 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 and School Objectives
At the completion of the course, the student will 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.
This course supports the following SLIS objectives:
- The foundation of information services;
- Advocacy and leadership for citizen access to information and knowledge resources;
- Evaluating and utilizing relevant research studies from a variety of disciplines.
Textbooks
Available at the bookstore or through Amazon.com
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
American Psychological Association. (2001) Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: APA
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 by June 27. 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
Blackboard Enrollment
Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard before February 12. You will be required to use a password access code, which I will provide on the LIBR 200-10 MySJSU Messaging system.
Assignments
The assignments for this course are:
- Blackboard discussions and assignments. Several of the class sessions will involve online submissions of assignments and discussions. Participation is mandatory.
- Reaction Paper. This is an informal paper that responds to issues raised in the online lecture and accompanying readings on the history of information and libraries. Instructions will be provided.
- LIS Resource Review. This assignment is intended to introduce you to the major print and online research tools used in library and information science. Each student is asked to write a critical review of an LIS source that will be distributed to the class. A bibliography and instructions will be provided.
- Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography. This assignment gets you started on your research paper by asking you to locate and evaluate 12 - 15 sources pertinent to your paper topic. 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. 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.
- Class Participation. Students are expected to attend all regular class meetings, not only because they are responsible for the material covered, but also because active their participation contributes to the learning of the entire class. If you miss a class session, your total score will be reduced by 5 points.
Grading and Due Dates
The course assignments have been allotted the following point values and due dates:
| Assignment | Worth | Due Date |
| Reaction Paper | 15 points | March 3 |
| LIS Resource Review | 10 points | March 17 |
| Online Discussion of SLIS Research and Sources | 5 points | March 11-March 23 |
| Literature Review &Annotated Bibliography | 25 points | March 24 |
| Book and Movie Review | 10 points | April 14 |
| Online Discussion of Librarians in Popular Culture | 5 points | April 14-21 |
| Research Paper | 30 points | May 5 |
Note that all due dates fall on Fridays.
Late Assignments
Points earned for late assignments will be reduced by10 percent.
Grading Scale
Final grades will be based on the following grading scale established for graduate students by San José
State University:
| 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+ |
Academic Integrity
SJSU’s Academic Integrity Policy requires that you be honest in all your academic coursework. All assignments submitted must be your own work, and all sources used must be properly cited. Faculty are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs.
The university’s policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf.
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/
School of Library & Information Science
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Phone: 408-924-2490
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