LIBR 200-02
Information and Society
Fall 2008 Greensheet
Elizabeth Martinez
E-mail
Office Hours: Individual appointments can be requested.
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
Blackboard will be the communication vehicle for the course. The course is a hybrid of online and weekend classes on October 4 and 5 at SJSU SLIS, room CL322 from 10am –4pm. Students are required to participate on Blackboard for topic discussions and communication. All students registered for the course by August 18 will receive a message via MySJSU with the access code to self enroll on Blackboard. Students registered after August 18 should e-mail instructor for the access codes.
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 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
Required Text
Rubin, R.E. (2004). Foundations of Library and Information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman.
Other recommended Readings providing cultural perspectives will be posted on Blackboard.
Go to SLIS eBookstore.
Course Requirements
Complete LIBR 203: Online Social Networking: Technology and Tools
This is a mandatory 1 unit course that introduces students to the various e-learning tools used in the SLIS program, including Blackboard, Elluminate and Second Life. This course must be completed by all new SLIS students within the first 4 weeks of their first semester. If you have questions about this course, e-mail Debbie Faires or Dale David.
For more information, see http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/coursedesc.htm
Assignments (7) for the Course
There are seven assignments and students are expected to explore cultural perspectives on the topics. Assignment due dates are subject to change with fair notice.
- Critical Note #1: Students will write a critical review on one of the suggested readings or sites posted in Blackboard Course Documents. Assess any cultural perspectives reflected in the article or site. The review should be two pages, double-spaced.
- Critical Note #2: See above.
- Introduction of a Speaker: Students will select a library leader from the list provided or suggest another, and prepare a three-minute introduction, as if asked to introduce the person at a conference.
- Short Paper – Valuing the Information Professional: Students will write a short paper on “Valuing the Information Profession” using the Thomas Frey article “The Future of Libraries; Beginning the great transformation,” Da Vinci Institute to begin the discussion. The paper should be limited to seven pages plus references. Students will be graded on the choice and use of source material and the quality and coherence of arguments.
- Review of a Library & Information Science Periodical or a Professional Association: Students will review a library and information science journal selected from Rubin’s book (Appendix A) or write a report about a library and information science association from those listed in Rubin’s book. Students can suggest other periodicals and associations to review.
- Major Paper: Students will write a formal research paper analyzing a significant issue confronting the library profession today. Topics may be selected from the areas covered in class, in Rubin’s text or another approved issue of a more personal interest that is relevant to the goals and objectives of the course. The paper should be a minimum of 15 pages, double-spaced, and include at least 10 citations. A bibliography is not required but may be included for background information and context. Students will be graded on the extent of research, description and critical analysis of the topic, evidence provided in support of the argument, and the clarity and quality of writing. References and formatting should adhere to the rules established in the APA Publication Manual. This paper is 35% of the grade for the course.
- Participation in Class and Discussion: A portion of the overall grade is allocated for class participation that includes attendance, thoughtful contribution to class discussions, and other activities both face-to-face and online. Students must demonstrate an effort to master the material covered in the course. Blackboard provides statistics on students participation on Discussion Board topics.
Assignment Grading
The assignments will contribute to the final grade as follows:
| Critical Note 1 | 5% |
| Critical Note 2 | 5% |
| Introduction of a Speaker | 10% |
| Valuing the Information Professional | 20% |
| Review of an LIS Journal or Report of a Professional Association | 5% |
| Major Paper | 40% |
| Participation & Discussion | 15% |
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/
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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