LIBR 248-01
Beginning Cataloging and Classification
Spring 2009 Greensheet

Melodie Frances
E-mail
Phone: (510) 649-2521
Office Location: Graduate Theological Union, Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA
Office Hours: By arrangement.

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 (January 22nd).

Course Description

Theory and practice of bibliographic control including the study of representative cataloging using AACR2, machine-based representation using MARC formats and other standards, subject analysis and classification using LCSH, Dewey and LCC with application to books, non-book materials and serials.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of LIBR 202. Basic understanding of database structure (records, fields, and indexes). Additionally, while this class does meet live, 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 so you should also be able to learn new windows software and / or a new browser program 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 regard to indexing, syndetic structure, and authority control.
• Have a basic understanding of cataloging and how it fits into the profession of librarianship as a whole.
• Have a database with author, title and subject 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;
• contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities.

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, January 22nd.  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. 

It should be noted, that this is NOT an online class. The use of Angel and email will therefore be different from fully online classes. Angel discussions should be considered as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for the live class. However, the more students use Angel for questions the more successful they will tend to be on their assignments. The instructor will monitor the Angel discussions, but will only 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).

Assignments
This course consists of:

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.

Course Calendar

MARCH 26 - NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK.

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

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbooks:

• Chan, L. M. (2007). Cataloging and classification: An introduction (3rd ed.). Scarecrow Press. Available through Amazon: 0810860007.

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.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to access PDF files.

More accessibility resources.