LIBR 220
library services for hispanic patrons
spring 2005

Jeff Paul
Cultural Heritage Center Librarian
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
E-mail
Voice: 408-808-2636

GREENSHEET

Course Description

This course focuses on developing skills for planning, implementing and evaluating programs to address the information needs of Hispanic & Latino communities. Included are reviews the major national, state and local studies.

The class incorporates a mix of electronic discussions, readings and assignments. The question to be considered throughout the course: Are libraries effectively serving the information needs of the Latino communities they serve?

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, the student will have:

• Gained knowledge about the characteristics, problems, needs, interests and concerns of the Latino population;
• Developed methods for identifying appropriate resources and communication channels;
• Designed effective and responsive services for Latinos; and
• Gained enhanced skills to establish a collection or increase diversity efforts & services for Latinos.

This course supports the following SLIS objectives:

Teaching students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in the following areas:

• Information transfer;
• The principles and practices of management as specifically applied to information environments;
• Advocacy and leadership for access to information, knowledge and resources;
• Information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and utilization of information resources; and
• Advocacy and leadership for citizen access to information and knowledge resources.

Expectations

Each student is expected to contribute substantive comments to the class discussion of weekly assignments and to complete assignments on or before deadline dates. Points will be deducted from assignments submitted after deadline.

Required Text

There is no required textbook. Required readings will be available full text via the King Library or SLIS Web site.

Course Format

This is a Web-based course. Blackboard will be used for ALL course activities, including the course schedule.

Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities

Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.

Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San Jose since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.

The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/

Grading Policy

Everyone begins this course with a grade of “B”, the standard grade for graduate level work. If you complete the assignments on time and as required, you will maintain that “B”.

If you submit sub-standard work, you will receive a sub-standard grade (B- or below).

If you submit above standard work, you will receive an above standard grade (B+ or better).

Above standard work is defined as work that clearly displays one or more of the following criteria:

• Originality in the approach to the assignment
• Greater depth or analysis of the subject matter
• Overall treatment of the assignment above and beyond what the assignment calls for
• Superior organizational, written, or communication skills in the presentation of the material.

Correct usage of academic English (or Spanish), spelling, grammar, and composition are expected. Points will be deducted for failure to do so.

Students are encouraged to use APA (5th edition) format for papers and assignments.

All assignments must be your own work with sources properly cited in papers.

San Jose State University codes and rules governing plagiarism are in effect. Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy:
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

Grading Percentages

For additional details see Assignments & Grading/Weekly Outline on Blackboard.

Class participation includes contributions to discussions, exercises and activities on Blackboard site. Written assignments must be in Microsoft Word and sent to the instructor as an attachment.

Late assignments will not be accepted without prior notification and approval of the instructor and with the understanding that there may be a decrease in the number of points earned for the assignment.

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