LIBR 200-01,02
LIBR 200-10,11
Information and Society
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Dr. Debbie Hansen |
Dr. Judy Weedman |
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements Course Schedule |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
This course will be delivered entirely online through Blackboard. Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard between 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
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 items (articles, books, websites, etc.) 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 and 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.
Grading
| Assignment | Points | Due Date |
| Blackboard Discussions | 18 points | BiWeekly |
| LIS Resources Survey | 15 points | February 29 |
| Literature Review | 12 points | March 21 |
| Annotated Bibliography | 15 points | March 21 |
| Book and Movie Review | 10 points | April 11 |
| Term Paper | 30 points | May 9 |
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/
Course Schedule
| Dates | Topic | Discussions | Due Dates |
| Week 1 Jan. 26 - Feb. 1 |
Unit 1: The Information Professional Provides an introduction to and overview of the information professions. Examines the relationship between professional competencies and LIS education. |
Discussion 1 Introductions Jan. 26 – Feb. 1 |
|
| Weeks 2-3 Feb. 2 – Feb. 15 |
Unit 2. Information and Society: An Historical Overview Introduces the concept of information and traces its evolution through a series of “information ages.” Also explores the history of libraries, librarianship, and information science in response to social and technological change. |
Discussion 2 Information Revolutions Feb. 9 – Feb. 15 |
|
| Weeks 4-5 Feb. 16 – Feb. 29 |
Unit 3. Professional Knowledge and Scholarly Research in Library and Information Science. Surveys the creation and dissemination of professional knowledge and scholarly knowledge in LIS. Includes a discussion of professional and reference sources of information about the field. APA citation style will also be covered. |
Reference Source Survey Due Friday, Feb 29 @ 5 pm |
|
| Week 6 March 1 – March 7 |
Unit 4. Understanding the Information User Examines theories and methodologies used to determine user information needs and develop information services. |
Discussion 3 Information Seeking Behavior and Library Services March 1 – March 7 |
|
| Week 7 Mar 8 – Mar 14 |
Unit 5. Professional Ethics Examines the ethical foundations of librarianship and common ethical issues information professionals confront. |
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| Week 8 Mar 15 – Mar 21 |
Unit 6. Special Populations, Multiculturalism, and Professional Values Explores the mission of information professionals and information institutions to serve all communities in a diverse, multicultural society. |
Discussion 4 Professional Ethics in a Diverse Society March 15 – March 21 |
Lit Review/ Annotated Bibliography Due Friday, March 21 @ 5 pm |
| Week 9 Mar 22 – April 4 (Includes spring break) |
Unit 7. Status of Librarianship as a Profession Examines the socially constructed role of the library and information professions. |
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| Week 10 April 5 – April 11 |
Unit 8. Librarianship in Fiction and Film Considers how librarians and libraries are depicted in popular culture and the implications of professional stereotyping. |
Discussion 5 Librarians in Popular Culture April 5 – April 11 |
Book/Movie Review Due Friday, April 11 @ 5 pm |
| Week 11 April 12 – April 18 |
Unit 9.From Censorship to Intellectual Freedom Traces the evolution of access policies in libraries and reviews constitutional, legislative, judicial, and professional foundations of intellectual freedom. |
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| Week 12 April 19 – April 25 |
Unit 10. Information Policy Examines the role of government in regulating the flow of information and explores current controversies involving information professionals. |
Discussion 6 Intellectual Freedom April 19 – April 25 |
|
| Week 13 April 26 – May 2 |
Unit 11. Information Futures. Examines emerging issues relating to librarians in an information society, with an emphasis on copyright, fair use, and preservation of digital information. | Discussion 7 Final Questions (Optional) April 26 – May 9 |
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| Week 14 May 3 – May 9 |
Unit 12: Passing the Torch. LIS Pioneers. Introduces seminal theorists in library and information science. |
Term Papers Due Friday, May 9 @ 5 pm |
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