LIBR 200-22
LIBR
200-31
Information and Society
Fall 2008 Greensheet
Dr. Tonyia J. Tidline
E-mail
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
The access code for this course for Blackboard will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the MySJSU messaging system a few days prior to start of the semester. The course will be open for self-enrollment at the time the access code is sent.
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 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
- Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
- 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.
- Crawford, W. (2007). Balanced libraries: Thoughts on continuity and change. Mountainview, CA: Cites and Insights.
Recommended
- American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, DC: APA. See http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/resources/apa.htm
Go to SLIS eBookstore.
Additional Readings
Other required readings will be listed on the course syllabus and made available on the class web site.
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
Required Home Computing Environment
Please see the School’s “Home Computing Requirements” at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm
Blackboard Enrollment
This course will be conducted entirely online using the Blackboard Learning System. Lectures, assignments, and most communications, including discussions and announcements, will be conducted via Blackboard.
Please see the Blackboard Tutorials on how to enroll in a Blackboard course at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/blackboard/search_enroll/enroll.htm. To self-enroll in the Blackboard site for this course you must:
- Be registered for the course FIRST.
- The access code for the Blackboard site will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the My.SJSU.edu messaging system prior to the beginning of the course.
Tips for success: please plan to complete assignments in accordance with specified deadlines. Set aside time daily to complete reading and assignments so you will be able to get the most out of this class. You should be prepared and should make thoughtful contributions to Blackboard discussion forums and Elluminate sessions, because the quality of your responses will affect the number of points awarded for each assignment. Do not let the online environment fool you; it is easy to fall behind and, in fairness to prepared students, late assignments cannot receive the full number of allotted points.
Assignments (and Course Design)
You will have an opportunity to process course readings and assignments through Blackboard discussion forums, Elluminate lecture and Q&A, and open office hours. Elluminate sessions are scheduled throughout the semester; where you cannot attend in real-time, they will be available to you in recorded form, and your attendance is recommended. We will determine office hours as a class and as needed. Assignment details are available on our Blackboard course site. Generally, assignments will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Assignment | Description | Due | Points |
| "getting to know you" exercise | 2 Blackboard posts and short written summary | Sept. 5 | 10 pts |
| participation | Blackboard posts and Elluminate attendance | ongoing | 20 pts |
| one-page resume | one-page resume and one-page description (two pages total) | Oct. 10 | 20 pts |
| "scavenger hunt" | research and 2 Blackboard posts | Oct. 24 | 10 pts |
| the obligatory group project | research, exchange, two-page report, and group-work evaluation sheet | Nov. 7 | 15 pts |
| professional identity exercise | three-page report | Dec. 12 | 25 pts |
| TOTAL | 100 pts |
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.
Course Calendar
- Week One
Libraries and Society
Explore the history of libraries, information services and information technology. Examine the role of libraries and their relationship to other information providers. Look at the provision of library and information services in the information society.
Get acquainted with the class web site, each other, and acquire necessary materials. - Week Two
Characteristics of Information
Introduction to the concepts of information in a free society and a historical perspective on the need to provide equal access to information in order to maintain a democratic society. - Week Three
Information and Society
Discuss the concept of the "Information Society" and its place in political, historical, and sociological perspective. Considers the role of technology in society and how it relates to social change. - Week Four
Libraries, Information, and Technology
Reviews the social, political, and technical changes caused by technology in the information workplace. - Week Five
The Profession of Librarianship
Explores the socially constructed role of the library and information professions. - Week Six
Ethics of the Profession
Examines the ethical basis for professional activities. - Week Seven
The Information Professional
Assesses the economic and social value added by the work of information professionals. - Week Eight
The Information User
Examines theories and methodologies for determining user information needs and helping expand information literacy skills. - Week Nine
Special Populations, Multiculturalism and Values
Examines the multicultural mission of information workers and information institutions to serve a variety of special populations. - Week Ten
Professional Associations
Explores the mission and activities of professional organizations. - Week Eleven
Information Economics
Examines the economic issues related to information access and ownership. - Week Twelve
Information Policy
Reviews major policy issues related to information with special emphasis on information policy in a democratic society. - Week Thirteen
Intellectual Property and Freedom
Explores issues relating to information ownership and intellectual freedom. - Week Fourteen
Thanksgiving
No Class - Week Fifteen
The Future of Information
Examines critical issues and predictions for the future of the information society.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Sources must be properly cited in papers as specified in class. I take this very seriously. The San José State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced.
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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