LIBR 200-19
Information and Society
Spring 2011 Greensheet

Dr. Ron Critchfield
E-mail
Home Phone: (859) 885-3523
Office Location: Jessamine County Public Library, Nicholasville, KY
Office Hours: Virtual office hours by appointment. If you are near Lexington, KY, schedule a time to come visit in person.

This course will be delivered online primarily through Angel Learning Management Suite—yet other online tools may also be utilized as indicated in the course materials. Students must self-enroll for this course on Angel LMS between January 24 – 26. Registered students will be required to use a password access code which will be sent via the MYSJSU messaging system on or before January 24.
The course begins on Wednesday, January 26 and ends Tuesday, May 17.

Course Description

Explores the complex and interrelated historical, social, economic, cultural, political, and technological influences that shape information and society. Emphasis is on the various roles and responsibilities of information organizations and the values and ethics of information professionals.

Note: Effective Spring 2009, LIBR 200 must be completed with a B grade or higher

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Describe the role of information from historical, current, and future perspectives;
• Identify the various information stakeholders and the information environments that provide for their needs;
• Describe and evaluate issues involved in creating and disseminating information in society;
• Identify and discuss the major values and codes of ethics associated with the information professions;
• Describe the impact of cultural diversity on the provision of user services by librarians and other information professionals;
• Discuss important economic and policy issues related to the creation, dissemination and use of information;
• Explain what information literacy is and how it helps users evaluate and use information;
• Compare the different genres of and venues for scholarly and professional writing.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Know the foundations and structure of the information profession;
• Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature;
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of major issues in library and information science.

LIBR 200 course supports the following MLIS Core Competencies:

• Articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom;
• Compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
• Recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
• 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.

Course Requirements

Complete LIBR 203: Online Social Networking: Technology and Tools.
This is a mandatory 1 unit course that introduces students to the various e-learning tools used in the SLIS program, including Elluminate and Second Life.  For more information, see: http://ischool.sjsu.edu/classes/coursedesc.htm

Graduate-level Writing Requirement
If an instructor finds that a student's writing ability is unacceptable the instructor will require the student to sign up for online   writing tutoring. The student will ask the tutor to confirm with the instructor that the student is attending sessions.

Information about the tutorial service, including how to schedule an appointment, can be found at: http://ischool.sjsu.edu/resources/writing/writing_tutoring.htm

Assignments

• Required Reading Notes. Students will submit notes for the required reading assignments for each unit of study in the course. 2 points each.
• Online Student Discussions. There are five discussions allowing students to reflect on issues introduced in lectures and readings. 4 points each.
• Literature Search. This assignment facilitates term paper research as students locate and cite, in APA format, 20 or more potentially useful sources (articles, books, websites, etc.) related to one’s chosen paper topic. 10 points.
• Annotated Bibliography. This assignment facilitates the next stage of term paper research by evaluating 12 - 15 sources (articles, books, websites, etc.) pertinent to your paper topic (sources located in the Literature Search assignment may be used for this assignment). 15 points.
• Term Paper. Write a research paper in which you analyze a significant issue confronting the information professional today. Paper topics may be selected from the areas covered in class or you may choose an issue of more personal interest that is relevant to the goals and objectives of this course. The student must request and receive topic approval from the instructor. The text of your paper should be 15 to 20 pages in length; the reference list should include at least 20 citations (sources located and/or evaluated in any previous assignment may be used in writing the term paper). You will be graded on the extent of your research, your description and critical analysis of the topic, the evidence you provide in support of your argument, and the clarity and quality of your writing. Your references and formatting should adhere to the rules established in the APA Publication Manual. 35 points.

Course Calendar
NOTE: subject to change with fair notice.

• Week 1 | Jan. 26 – Feb. 2
  Unit 1: The Information Professional
  
  Provides an introduction and overview of the information professions. Examines the relationship between professional competencies and LIS education.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Discussion: Introduction Post as soon as possible.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 1 due as soon as possible—no later than February 15th.
• Weeks 2-3 | Feb. 3 – 15
  Unit 2. Information and Society
  
  Introduces the concept of information and traces its evolution through a series of "information ages." Also explores the history of libraries, librarianship, and information science in response to social and technological change. 
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Discussion 1: Completed before Feb. 15th midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 2 due by Feb. 15th midnight Pacific time.
  
  IMPORTANT: The student must request and receive topic approval from the instructor before February 15th.                          
• Weeks 4-5 | Feb. 16 – March 1
  Unit 3. Professional Knowledge and Scholarly Research in Library and Information Science
  
  Surveys the creation and dissemination of professional and scholarly knowledge in LIS. Includes a discussion of professional and reference sources of information about the field. APA citation style will also be covered.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Discussion 2: Completed before March 1st midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 3 due by March 1st midnight Pacific time.
  
  IMPORTANT: Begin/continue working on your Literature Search assignment.
• Weeks 6-7 | March 2 – March 15
  Unit 4. Understanding the Information User
  
  Examines theories and methodologies used to determine user information needs, develop information services, and provide information literacy instruction.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Literature Search due by March 15th midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 4 due by March 15th midnight Pacific time.
• Week 8 | March 16 – 27
  Unit 5. Professional Ethics/Values
  
  Examines the ethical foundations of librarianship and common ethical issues information professionals confront. .                                                                                                                     
  Assignments Due:
  1. Discussion 3: Completed before March 27th midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 5 due by March 27th midnight Pacific time.                                                                                                                                 
  IMPORTANT: Begin/continue working on your Annotated Bibliography assignment.

• Week 9 | April 4 – 12
  Unit 6. Special Populations/Multiculturalism
  
  Explores the mission of information professionals and information institutions to serve all communities in a diverse, multicultural society.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Reading Notes for Unit 6 due by April 12th midnight Pacific time.

• Week 10 | April 13 – April 19
  Unit 7. Status of Librarianship as a Profession
  
  Examines the socially constructed role of the library and information professions. And considers how librarians and libraries are depicted in popular culture and the implications of professional stereotyping.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Discussion 4: Completed by April 19th midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 7 due by April 19th midnight Pacific time.
• Weeks 11- 12 | April 20 – 26
  Unit 8. From Censorship to Intellectual Freedom
  
  Traces the evolution of access policies in libraries and reviews constitutional, legislative, judicial, and professional foundations of intellectual freedom.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Annotated Bibliography due by April 23rd midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 8 due by April 26th midnight Pacific time.
• Week 13 | April 27 – May 3
  Unit 9. Information Policy
  
  Examines the role of government in regulating the flow of information and explores current controversies involving information professionals.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Discussion 5: Completed by May 3rd midnight Pacific time.
  2. Reading Notes for Unit 9 due by May 3rd midnight Pacific time.
• Week 14 | May 4 – May 10
  Unit 10. The Future of Libraries
  
  Examines emerging issues relating to libraries and librarians in an information society.
  
  Assignments Due:
  1. Reading Notes for Unit 10 due by May 10th midnight Pacific

• Week 15 | May 11 – May 17
  Assignment Due: Term Paper Due by May 15th midnight Pacific time.

Grading

• All assignments are due on the dates listed above and must be submitted prior to midnight Pacific time (unless otherwise indicated).
• Late submissions will be reduced by 20% of the total points possible for that assignment.

Points possible for the course = 100 points.

• Required Reading Notes = 20 points.
• Student Discussions = 20 points.
• Literature Search = 10 points.
• Annotated Bibliography = 15 points.
• Term paper = 35 points.

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbooks:

• American Psychological Association (2009). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) American Psychological Association. Available through Amazon: 1433805618.

• Haycock, K., & Sheldon, B. E. (Eds.). (2008). The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1591585473.

• Rubin, R. E. (2010). Foundations of library and information science (3rd ed.). Neal-Schuman. Available through Amazon: 1555706908.

GWAR

This course satisfies the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

INFO 200 gives students graduate-level writing experience, including a literature review and research paper. Graduate-level academic writing is formal and logical. It involves the avoidance of bias, the inclusion of evidence, and the development of strong arguments. Scholarly writing uses concise, precise, and clear language, is cohesive, and utilizes a logically organized flow of ideas. Successful completion of the research paper satisfies San José State University's Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). If the instructor finds that a student's writing is unacceptable, the instructor will require the student to sign up for online writing tutoring. The student will ask the tutor to confirm with the instructor that he or she is attending sessions.

Grading Scale

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

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;
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation.  You must repeat the class the following semester. If -on the second attempt- you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• 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 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

University Policies

General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student

As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and responsibilities incumbent upon all members of the institution. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU's policies and practices pertaining to the procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a class arises. See University Policy S90-5 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a variety of related topics is available in the SJSU catalog at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/LIS.html. In general, it is recommended that students begin by seeking clarification or discussing concerns with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not serve to address the issue, it is recommended that the student contact the Department Chair as a next step.

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester's Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.

Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.

Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material

University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor's permission to record the course and the following items to be included in the syllabus:

• "Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor's permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material."
  • It is suggested that the syllabus include the instructor's process for granting permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for the whole semester or on a class by class basis.
  • In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of those students or guests should be obtained as well.
• "Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent."

Academic integrity

Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy F15-7 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F15-7.pdf 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 Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.

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