LIBR 221-10
Government Information Sources
Summer 2008 Greensheet
Kevin Bontenbal
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
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 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.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Delineate the significance and value of government information sources.
- Working knowledge of the structure, processes, and documents of the US Government with a general knowledge of international, state, and local government information.
- How to evaluate, analyze, and answer government information requests.
- Identifying the appropriate context of use of government documents and sources.
- Develop best practices and methods on discovering government information regardless of topic.
- Knowledge of when and where to refer questions you cannot answer.
- Understanding the dynamic landscape surrounding digital government information and e-Government.
LIBR 221 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
- recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use.
In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities;
- 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;
- evaluate programs and services on specified criteria; and
- contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities.
Textbooks and Readings
Recommended Text
- Morehead, Joe. Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. 6th ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1999.
Go to SLIS eBookstore.
Additional Readings
Other required readings will be provided in the Blackboard course documents area.
Course Requirements
Blackboard
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 a day or two prior to the beginning of the course.
You must be extremely organized, disciplined and self-motivated in order to complete an online course successfully. Though you can access the course materials online anytime, plan to set aside time each day to complete the readings and assignments. It’s too easy to get behind quickly.
Assignments
Here is an overview of the assignments for this course:
- Readings
Each week there will be:- an online “lecture” provided by the instructor via Blackboard;
- readings from the textbook;
- article readings regarding government information, and;
- other readings as assigned.
- Online Discussions
Throughout the course, approximately every other week there will be a discussion topic posted to the class discussion board on a topic related to the course readings. Students will be expected to provide a thoughtful and reflective response to these topics. In addition to responding to each of the seven topics, students are also encouraged to engage in dialog with each other by responding to other student's responses to the topics. - Reflective Essays Addressing Topics Covered in Class or Readings
This essay will require students to formalize their understanding and exhibit critical thinking about a course topic and/or reading. The essay should be no more than 5 pages. Student will have the option of selecting any course topic that has been covered prior to the due date of this essay.
The essay should include a title and contain a bibliography that includes at least two sources in proper APA format. Sources can be from personal readings, the textbook, online articles or online subscriptions. The essay is worth 25 points. - Government Information Scavenger Hunt
Students will be given a list of questions that they must find the answers to using government information sources and the Web. - Research Paper
Students will write a research paper on some aspect related to government publications. This paper can be based on issues or resources discussed in class, or another topic with instructor approval.
The research paper should be no more than 12 pages in length and double-spaced. A title and an abstract should be included at the beginning of the paper and a bibliography in proper APA format.
This paper will be graded on the content and how well you analyze and support your argument. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation are also very important.
The research paper is worth a total of 70 points.
Grading
Total Possible Points are 200:
| Discussion Topic Responses (10 points each) | 70 points |
| Reflective Essay | 25 points |
| Government Information Scavenger Hunt | 30 points |
| Research Paper | 75 points |
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 |
Introduction and Overview |
Week Two |
Government Printing Office (GPO) |
Week Three |
Finding Aids and References Sources |
Week Four |
Geographic Information Sources |
Week Five |
Legislative Branch Information Sources |
Week Six |
Department and Agencies |
Week Seven |
Administrative Law |
Week Eight |
Legal Information Sources |
Week Nine |
Foreign and International Documents State and Local Information |
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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