LIBR 221-02
Government Information Sources
Spring 2005

Instructor: Kevin Bontenbal
E-mail
(805) 546-3117

GREENSHEET

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the variety of government information sources produced by the United States government, both in print, and online. This goal of this course is to provide students with a broad understanding of the significance and use of government information sources. The course will examine government information resources and consider issues of access, availability, dissemination, and archival issues. Although the main focus of the course will be on United States government sources, state and local sources will also be investigated.

Course and School Objectives

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

• Understand the significance of government information sources.
  • Promote the purpose and role of government sources.
  • Articulate the issues and trends that affect access, availability, dissemination, and use of government sources.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how government information sources are organized and used.
  • Recognize, understand, and use government sources, both traditional, and electronic.
  • Understand the value of government sources to users in both public and academic libraries.
  • Identify the kinds of questions for which government information sources can answer.

The course supports the following objectives from the School's Teaching goal:

Upon completion of the program the student will know and be able to identify the major theories and important principles as well as demonstrate current practice in:

Information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources.

Advocacy and leadership for citizen access to information.

Textbooks

REQUIRED: Morehead, Joe. Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. 6th ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1999.

Note: Other required readings will be provided in the Blackboard course documents area.

Web-based instruction

This course will be a completely Web-based class. In addition to textbook readings, the class Website will include readings from various sources as well as written lectures.

All interaction with the professor will be through e-mail and the class discussion board.

This class uses Blackboard. The course site will be ready for student enrollment beginning January 1. Go to: http://tigris.sjsu.edu to self-enroll.

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 Website: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/

Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

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