LIBR 200-02
LIBR
200-04
Information and Society
Fall 2006 Greensheet
Dr. Ziming Liu
E-mail
Phone: (408) 924-2500
Office Hours: 9 - 10 am before LIBR 200-02 on Tuesday;
4 - 6 pm after LIBR 200-04 on Sundays;
also by appointment
| Course Links Greensheet Course Outline |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Textbooks | Course Requirements
You must enroll in the Blackboard course before the first day of class to ensure that you receive the announcements on time. I will provide you with a password access code using the MySJSU messaging system.
Course Description
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.
Student Learning Objectives
Course 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 knowledge in society with particular attention paid to information literacy;
- Understand the role of libraries and their relationships 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 libraries and other information providers;
- 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; and
- 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.
Textbooks
Required Text
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and
information science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
Recommended Text
Eberhart, G. M. (2000). The whole library handbook
3: Current data, professional advice, and curiosa about
libraries and library services. Chicago, IL: American
Library Association.
Additional Readings
Other required readings, check the Course Outline.
With the exception of the Eberhart text, these readings
will be 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 by July 1st. 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
The assignments for this course are:
- Critical Notes
You will be asked to write TWO critical notes for any topic covered in the syllabus. Each note should be no more than two pages, double spaced. - Introduction of a Speaker
Choose a library luminary from the list provided. Prepare a three-minute introduction as if you have been asked to introduce that person at a conference. - Short paper - Valuing the Information Professional
You will be asked to write a short paper on "Valuing the Information Professional." This paper should be limited to seven pages (the seven page limit needs not count your endnotes or references). You will be graded on your choice and use of source material and the quality and coherence of your arguments. - Review of a Library and Information Science Periodical
Please review a library and information science journal. You can select any of the journals from Rubin's book (Appendix A) for review. You can also select a journal that is not on the list but related to library and information science. - Report of a Professional Association
Please write a report about a library and information science association. You can select any of the associations from Rubin's book (Appendix B). You can also select an association that is not on the list but related to library and information science. - Major 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. This paper accounts for 35% of your grade in this graduate class. - Participation in Class and Discussion
A portion of the overall grade is allocated for class participation. For the purposes of this class, participation includes attendance, thoughtful contribution to class discussions and other activities (face-to-face and online), and demonstration that you are making an effort to master the material covered in the course.
Assignment Grading
The assignments will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Critical Notes 1 | 5% |
| Critical Notes 2 | 5% |
| Introduction of a Speaker | 10% |
| Valuing the Information Professional | 20% |
| Review of a LIS Periodical | 5% |
| Report of a Professional Association | 5% |
| Major Paper | 35% |
| Participation in class and discussion | 15% |
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
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 are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/F06-1.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
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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