LIBR 204-10
Information Organizations and Management
Spring 2006 Greensheet
Wayne Disher
E-mail
| Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Students should self-enroll on the Blackboard page for this course before the first day of class with the access code provided by your instructor. You will receive the access code via the MySJSU messaging system.
Course Description
This 3 unit course offers a survey of the field of organizational management, and aims to help you understand and apply theory in a variety of areas, including: leadership; work attitudes and motivation; group dynamics; organizational communication; organizational structure and design; and organizational culture. Emphasis is placed on management theory and practice as applied to the library and information center setting. Successful completion of this course is a required element in the Master of Library and Information Science program.
Course Objectives
The objectives of this course are:
- To introduce the student to basic leadership and management principles, concepts, theories, and functions of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, and evaluating.
- To acquaint the student with real life managerial situations and equip students with the tools necessary to better analyze and respond to them.
- To acquaint the student with management literature and authors in library/information science, business, and related fields.
- To introduce the student to the idea of being managed, as well as managing others, within an organizational setting.
- To give the student practical tools and lessons useful to the management of libraries and information centers.
This course supports the second objective of the School's teaching goal by teaching students the principles and practices of management as specifically applied to information environments. Additionally the course supports the second objective of the School’s teaching goal by demonstrating for students the means by which advocacy and leadership in library management can improve citizen access to information and knowledge.
Course Requirements
Course Material
There is no text, however reading assignments are on Blackboard.
Class Meeting Schedule
Class meets "in person" at CSU Fullerton in PLS68 from 10am-3:00pm on the following dates:
- February 18;
- March 11;
- April 8;
- April 29.
Because of the infrequency of our face to face meetings, students are NOT, I repeat, NOT permitted to miss all or any part of "In Class" meetings. Missing classes may jeopardize your overall grade. Students are notified that online assignments and Blackboard discussion board participation is also expected.
Attendance
Students must attend each lecture and participate in the assigned Blackboard duties. Failure to do so may impact your overall grade. Additionally, required postings (as assigned) on the Blackboard discussion page will be mandatory.
Assignments
You will be required to submit a total of 3 papers over the course of this term. See the assignment sheet for more information.
In addition to these assignments, you will be required to complete homework assignments given out in class. These assignments usually involve online work, and are intended to hone your skills and prepare you for your papers. Additionally, these assignments are intended to give you practical, hands-on experience in the world of collection management. These assignments are "pass/no pass". If your instructor feels you have not completed the assignment satisfactorily, you will be directed on how to improve to make it satisfactory. While these assignments are not GRADED, you are required to complete them. If you do not complete homework assignments, your overall grade will suffer.
Due Dates
Due dates are firm. Papers and assignments are due on the dates listed on the assignments page. I do not accept late papers and students may not negotiate extensions!
Plagiarism
All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers. Those found plagiarizing will automatically fail the course and may be subject to other administrative penalties.
Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.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/
Class Norms
The following can be expected:
- I will treat you and your fellow students with respect at all times. Similarly, I expect you to treat your classmates and staff with respect at all times. In particular, you should not talk or whisper while others are speaking.
- If you cheat or plagiarize you will be punished to the full extent of university regulations.
- I will keep my office hours zealously. To ensure that you get the full benefit of my attention and time, please make an appointment to see me—even during scheduled office hours. If you make an appointment to meet me during office hours, you will keep your meeting commitment.
- To avoid disrupting and wasting the time of your classmates and your instructor, please make every effort to arrive at class meetings on time.
- You will not be allowed to negotiate extensions to due dates for assignments, except under exceptional circumstances (e.g. family tragedy).
- Classes are very long. While you will be given suitable breaks for lunch and to get out and stretch, if you must eat and/or drink during class lectures please make sure you do not disrupt or distract your classmates in any way.
Sometimes, despite my best efforts, papers may get lost in the shuffle. To avoid problems please photocopy your work and save your computer files as protection against misplaced papers.
Grading Policy
Everyone starts the course with a "B" grade-the standard grade for graduate level work. If you do the assignments as outlined on the assignment sheet and explained in class, you will maintain that "B" grade. If you submit sub-standard work, you will receive a sub-standard grade (B- or below). If, however, you submit above-standard work, you will receive an above standard grade (B+ or better). I define above standard work as that which clearly displays one or more of the following criteria:
- originality in the approach to the assignment;
- greater depth of analysis than the written assignment calls for;
- overall treatment of the assignment above & beyond what the written assignment calls for; or
- superior organizational and/or written skills in the presentation of the material.
REMEMBER-a "B" grade is not a bad grade. A "B" grade shows that you have satisfactorily demonstrated potential for professional achievement in this area.
The bottom line
I recognize that students are enrolled in several other classes, and that you have a significant workload separate from this class. Therefore, to avoid unpleasant surprises I want to be as honest as possible about the demands of this class. First, you will be doing an average of ninety to a hundred pages of required reading between class meetings. For the most part, you will find this reading to be entertaining and thought provoking, but I know that you will find some readings long, dry, and challenging. Second, you will be required to complete a total of three papers and several pass/no pass assignments.
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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