LIBR 240-01
LIBR 240-10
LIBR 240-13
Information Technology Tools and Applications
Spring 2012 Greensheet

Raymond Dean
E-mail
Office Hours: Virtually by e-mail

Textbooks and Software | Course Requirements

This course will not use D2L.

We will be using a Drupal-based website available at http://40px.com.

Registered students will receive an access code and instructions via the MySJSU messaging system prior to the start of the semester.

Course Description

We will concentrate on using modular web design techniques with varying levels of discussion and application in the following areas: XHTML, CSS, Web 2.0, images and other media, information architecture, cultural issues in website design, accessibility and usability, digital storytelling, XML/XSLT, JavaScript, PHP, and content management systems.

Much of the first half of this course will concentrate on the basics of website design, including XHTML elements, CSS styling, tableless layout design, images, XHTML forms and a brief discussion of using basic JavaScript and PHP.

In the second half of the course, we will learn how to implement Web 2.0/Social Web elements and also take a look at using content management systems. We will conclude with a brief introduction to HTML5/CSS3.

You will be assigned a final website project that will require you to use most of the concepts learned throughout the semester.

Throughout the course, you will be expected to create a weekly blog entry addressing an issue relevant to the week's topic of discussion.

Course Prerequisite: LIBR 202

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the course, a student should be able to:

• Understand and apply the concepts of modular website design.
• Create tableless layouts using the CSS box model.
• Identify the differences between client-side and server-side programming languages and know how to integrate simple JavaScript and PHP scripts.
• Present information on the Web with a consideration for usability, accessibility, and cultural issues.
• Understand the client-server relationship and how to work with a Unix server.
• Create CSS stylesheets for alternate media such as print and mobile devices.
• Apply the concepts of Web 2.0/Social Web into the creation of websites by integrating external web tools and services.
• Understand the basics of content management systems and their advantages for use in social/community websites.
• Create an XML file and transform output using XSLT.
• Understand the basics of HTML5 and CSS3 and what it means for the future of the Web.
  

LIBR 240 supports the following MLIS Core Competencies:

• Design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems;
• 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;
• 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.
  

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Course Requirements

Technology Requirements
Your computer and Internet access must meet or exceed the minimum requirements described on the SLIS Home Computing requirements page (see http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm).

Measuring Student Learning Outcomes

Extra Credit
Extra credit opportunities may be available at the discretion of the instructor. You are encouraged to give input on the subjects that you would like to explore in more depth.

Late Assignments & Incompletes
Late assignments will not be accepted. If you have an illness or other extenuating circumstance please contact the instructor as soon as possible.

No incompletes will be awarded.

The final project will be due by Saturday, May 19th, 11:59 p.m. PT. No projects modified after this date and time will be accepted.

Course Calendar

Textbooks and Software

It would be a good idea to install and become familiar with the following software prior to the start of class:

• An image editor such as PhotoShop, PhotoShop Elements, or GIMP.
• A text editor, such as Komodo Edit, Notepad Plus Plus or Programmer's Notepad.
• The latest version of Firefox.
• Web Developer Toolbar for Firefox.
• Firebug add-on for Firefox (optional but recommended)

You will also need an sFTP client for uploading your work to the server. More information will be provided about this and other software on the course website.

There will be additional assigned readings and other media provided by the instructor.

Required Textbooks:

• McFarland, D. (2009). CSS: The missing manual (2nd ed.). Pogue Press. Available through Amazon: 0596802447.

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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