LIBR 210-12
Reference and Information Services
Spring 2003

Dr. Susan Tschabrun
stschabrun@fullerton.edu

Course Links

Readings

GREENSHEET

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A process-oriented examination of how information professionals answer reference questions. The interpersonal skills required for effective question negotiation and the sources with which questions are answered are stressed.
Prerequisite: LIBR 202

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the nature of the reference process and the communication skills required to determine the user's real question and the information problem.

2. Have a working knowledge of the standard reference tools involved in answering users' questions and be able to evaluate the value and appropriateness of those tools in different information settings.

3. Be familiar with current issues pertaining to reference and information services, including digital reference, information seeking behavior, special populations, ethics, information literacy, and the evaluation of reference quality.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This course supports the School's program goal "to prepare students…to function effectively as information management professionals in libraries, information centers and related environments." It incorporates the program's objectives by:
· Studying the major theories, important principles, and current practices of reference and information service;
· Analyzing the communication process;
· Examining information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and utilization of information sources; and
· Applying these theories and principles to a multiculturally diverse environment.

TEXT

Katz, William A. Introduction to Reference Work, vol. 1. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. (required textbook)

Other assigned readings are available at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/210.tschabrun/210sp03readings.htm

A recommended text is:
Bopp, R.E. and Smith, L.C. (2001) Reference and Information Services: An introduction (3rd edition). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

COURSE FORMAT & TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

This is a web-based course with only one in-person meeting scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2003 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Cal State Fullerton Pollak Library north PN-303. Attendance at the in-person meeting on 2/1/03 is required. The bulk of our interactions will take place online in Blackboard.

To succeed in this online course, you must have the following:
· A Blackboard account (instructions and tutorial available at http://witloof.sjsu.edu/blackboard/)
· An email account that allows you to send and receive attachments.
· Internet access and an up-to-date web browser
· Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint)
· Adobe Acrobat Reader 5+

Students should self-enroll in the Blackboard course, which will be available starting January 14, 2003.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Reference Sources Group Project (25% of final grade)
2. Reference Issue Briefing Paper & Response (25% of final grade)
3. Pathfinder (35% of final grade)
4. Class Participation (15% of final grade)
(includes participation in Group challenges and reference interview exercises)
Full assignment instructions, including assignment objectives, submission instructions, and grading rubrics are available on Blackboard under Assignments.

GRADING POLICY

This course will follow the University recommended grading scale for graduate students:
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+

Late assignments will not be accepted unless previously approved by the instructor.

It is the responsibility of the student to keep copies of all submitted assignments and all graded materials returned to the student by the instructor until grades are officially issued.

Incompletes will be assigned only in cases of medical or family emergency. Medical or other proof will be required.

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS

1. Communication in an online course is essential. Plan to check your email and Blackboard at least two times per week for messages or announcements.

2. All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Assignment instructions should be followed exactly; points will be deducted for failure to follow directions. Students are expected to submit assignments that are free of spelling and grammatical errors. All sources must be correctly cited using the APA style manual.

3. Group work is an important component of this course. If a member of a group is not contributing his or her fair share, please inform the instructor as soon as possible. Group members will be asked to evaluate each other and to self-evaluate.

HOW TO REACH THE INSTRUCTOR

There will be no formal office hours, but students may send messages to the instructor at stschabrun@fullerton.edu any time during the week (Monday-Friday) and can expect an answer within 48 hours. In-person meetings may be arranged by appointment.