LIBR 248-01
Beginning Cataloging and Classification
Spring 2010 Greensheet

Melodie Morgan Frances
E-mail
Phone: (510) 649-2521
Office Location: Graduate Theological Union, Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA
Office Hours: By appointment, M-F, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., at the GTU or on the phone.


Greensheet Links
Textbooks and Readings
Course Requirements
Resources
ANGEL
ANGEL Tutorials
iSchool eBookstore
 

Students must self-enroll in the Angel site for this course. The access code needed for enrollment will be sent out via My SJSU. Please log on no later than the beginning of the semester. CLASS STARTS IMMEDIATELY ON JANUARY 26TH. 

When you log onto Angel, you will see a folder that says START HERE. This is where class business information will be. From there go to Unit 1.

Course Description

Theory and practice of bibliographic control including the study of representative cataloging using descriptive cataloging standards, machine-based representation using MARC format and other standards, subject analysis and classification using LCSH, Dewey, and LCC.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of LIBR 202. Basic understanding of database structure (records, fields, and indexes). All students must meet the minimum home computing requirements and proficiency as set out by the SLIS department:
http://ischool.sjsu.edu/communication/homecomputing.htm

This class will require you to learn a new client software or a new browser software so you should also be able to learn new programs with minimal assistance.

Course Objectives

At the end of the class the student will:

  • Have a basic understanding of and ability to use the current cataloging and classification tools : AACR2x (Anglo American Cataloging Rules), MARC Format, LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings), LCC (Library of Congress Classification), and Dewey Classification.
  • Understand the basic workings of automated catalogs and how the process of cataloging and classification impacts them, specifically in regards to indexing, syndetic structure, authority control, and user access.
  • Have a basic understanding of cataloging and how it fits into the profession of librarianship as a whole.
  • Have a database with author, title, subject and call number indexes created according to professional standards as evidence for the e-portfolio.
  • Have an introduction to FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), the basis for the developing new cataloging code RDA (Resource Description and Access).

LIBR 248 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

  • understand the system of standards and methods used to control and create information structures and apply basic principles involved in the organization and representation of knowledge.

In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

  • articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom. 

To view the SLIS Core Competencies:
http://ischool.sjsu.edu/slis/competencies.htm

Course Requirements

ANGEL
Angel will be used for all class communication. My SJSU will only be used initially to send out the Angel access code. All students should log on by the beginning of the semester as class will start on that day.  Assignments and other handouts will be posted to Angel. Angel will also be used for class discussion and questions. Please do not send questions about assignments to my work e-mail as I will not answer them. I will not be repeating this, so if you send a question about an assignment to my work email and do not get a reply this is why. 

The instructor will monitor the Angel discussions and step in when necessary (for example, when something incorrect is posted to the discussion board or when something comes up that was not covered in class or just for general clarification of a concept).

ELLUMINATE
There will be seven required Elluminate sessions. The Elluminate sessions will be on the following dates (all of these are Mondays except 2-16 which is a Tuesday):

2-1, 2-16, 3-15, 3-22, 4-5, 4-19, 5-10 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE FROM 2-15 TO 2-16 - THIS IS DO TO THE REQUIRED FURLOUGH DATES FOR THIS SEMESTER.

The required Elluminate sessions are for the purpose of introducing you to the different rules and standards that are used in cataloging. These rules and standards are very difficult if not impossible to interpret on your own so it is imperative that you attend these sessions. Failure to do so could have a negative impact on your grade.

POWER POINT LECTURES
Some of the units will have an instructor created Power Point presentation with audio and transcription. These should be treated like class readings.

Assignments
This course consists of:

Class Assignments (10) (10% each)

Late Assignments
Late work will not be accepted. There are no exceptions to this so please be prepared to abide by this rule. We cover an extensive amount of information in the semester and it is imperative that students do not fall behind.

All of the assignments are worth the same amount of points (100 or 10% of your grade). The assignments themselves are different in terms of difficulty and amount of work required, but are worth the same amount of points in case you have particular difficulty with one so that your grade will even out.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON THE ACTUAL ASSIGNMENT. ASSIGNMENTS ARE SEPARATED FROM THEIR EMAILS SO IF THEY DON'T HAVE A NAME ACTUALLY ON THEM I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU A GRADE.

FILE NAMING FOR ASSIGNMENTS. To facilitate grading AND to get you in the habit of strict file naming (which you will need to do for metadata of digital files), you MUST use the following file naming procedures:

SJSU SLIS LIB 248 Ax Last name, First name

EX:  SJSU SLIS LIB 248 A5 Frances, Melodie

Ax is for the assignment number. Assignment one, therefore would be A1. 

ANGEL DISCUSSION PARTICIPATION AND YOUR GRADE
Part of your assignment grade will be based upon your participation in the Angel discussion board. Specific instructions on how and when to participate will be explained in each assignment.

DROP BOX
We will be using the Angel drop box for turning in assignments.

Course Calendar
(This calendar is built around a Sunday through Saturday week. All UNITS will start on a Sunday and all assignments will be due on a Saturday at 11 p.m. except for Unit 1 and assignment A1b.

For course details like readings and other instructions see the individual UNIT'S checklist.

JAN 26-30

UNIT ONE [1 WEEK]

TOPIC: Introduction.

A1a (due 1-28-10 11 P.M.)

A1b (due 1-30-10 11 P.M.)

JAN 31-FEB 13 UNIT TWO [TWO WEEKS]

TOPIC: Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules 2nd Revision (AACR2) Chapters 1 and 2 – Description.

ELLUMINATE 2-1-10  7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

A2 (due 2-13-10 11 p.m.)
FEB 14-MAR 6 UNIT THREE [THREE WEEKS]

TOPIC: Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules 2nd Revision (AACR2) Chapter 21 – Access.

ELLUMINATE 2-16 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.


A3 (due 3-06-10 11 p.m.)
MAR 7-MAR 27

UNIT FOUR [THREE WEEKS]

TOPIC: Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)

ELLUMINATE 3-15 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

ELLUMINATE 3-22 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

A4a (due 3-13-10 11 p.m.)

A4b (due 3-27-10 11 p.m.)

MAR 28-APR 10 UNIT FIVE [TWO WEEKS]

TOPIC: Library of Congress Classification (LCC)

ELLUMINATE 4-5-10 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

A5 (due 4-10-10 11 p.m.)
APR 11-APR 24 UNIT SIX [TWO WEEKS]

TOPIC: Dewey Classification

ELLUMINATE 4-19-10 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

A6 (due 4-24-10 11 p.m.)
APR 25-MAY 8

UNIT SEVEN [ONE WEEK]

TOPIC: FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records)

A7 (due 5-8-10 11 p.m.)

MAY 9-MAY 17

UNIT EIGHT [ONE WEEK]

TOPIC: E-Portfolio

ELLUMINATE 5-10-10 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

A8 (due 5-17-10 11 p.m.)

This calendar is subject to change upon notification from the Instructor.

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbook:

  • Chan, L. M. (2007). Cataloging and classification: An introduction (3rd ed.). Scarecrow Press. Available through Amazon: 0810860007. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain


Grading Scale

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

97 to 100 A
94 to 96 A minus
91 to 93 B plus
88 to 90 B
85 to 87 B minus
82 to 84 C plus
79 to 81 C
76 to 78 C minus
73 to 75 D plus
70 to 72 D
67 to 69 D minus
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;
    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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