LIBR 200-18
Information and Society
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Dr. Mark Stover
E-mail
Phone: (619) 594-2131
Office Hours: Email, phone appointments
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
You must enroll in the Blackboard course between January 16 and January 23 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
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.
An overview of the core competencies for SJSU SLIS graduates can be found at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/slis/competencies.htm
Textbooks and Readings
Required Text
- Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
Go to SLIS eBookstore.
Recommended Text
- 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.
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 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
The assignments for this course are:
- Reflective Essays
Students will be asked to write TWO reflective essays on any topic covered in the syllabus. Each essay should be a minimum of two pages, double-spaced. - Review/Analysis of a Professional Journal
Please review a professional journal related to library and information science. 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. This review/analysis should be at least two pages, double-spaced. - 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. - 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 required of the sources both cited and 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. - Participation in Class and Discussion
As this class is completely online and asynchronous, participation in the weekly Blackboard discussions is essential for success in the course.
More details on the assignments and due dates will be provided on Blackboard.
Assignment Grading
The assignments will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Reflective Essays | 20% |
| Review of a Professional Journal | 10% |
| Report of a Professional Association | 10% |
| Research Paper | 40% |
| Participation in class and discussion | 20% |
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
Contact the webmaster
