LIBR 200-04
LIBR 200-06
LIBR 200-16
Information and Society
Spring 2012 Greensheet

Steve Tash
E-mail
Phone: (949) 683-7151 (9am-8pm PST)
Office Hours: Virtual office hours. Telephone and IM-Yahoo messenger advising.

Mission of the School
The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at San Jose State University educates professionals and develops leaders who organize, manage and enable the effective use of information and ideas in order to contribute to the well-being of our communities.

Getting Started
SLIS utilizes a content management system called Desire2Learn for class communications, submitting assignments, and grade records. This course will be available in D2L on Wednesday, Jan.25,2012. You will be enrolled into the site automatically.

Our class begins on Wednesday, Janaury 25, 2012 and ends on Wednesday, May 15,2012.  Weekly class sessions run from Wednesday through Tuesdays  of the following week.Our assignments are generally due Sunday evenings by midnight unless major holiday.

ALA Membership
All LIBR 200 students receive a one-year paid membership in ALA and their ALA-affiliated state library association. 

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 Angel, Elluminate and Second Life. This course must be completed by all new SLIS students within the first 4 weeks of their first semester. If you have questions about this course, e-mail Debbie Faires or Dale David.

For more information, see http://ischool.sjsu.edu/classes/coursedesc.htm

Graduate Writing Requirement
This course satisfies the University graduate 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.

Required Home Computing Environment
Please see the School's "Home Computing Requirements" at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm

Attendance/Participation
Participation in online projects, virtual office hours, virtual discussions with instructor and special guests and within D2Ldiscussion forums is crucial to learning in the online environment. We will make heavy use of Elluminate** software for student presentations, instructor office hours, online chats and discussions during the term. Reading/viewing/listening to required materials will enhance your ability to participate in these discussions. Check D2L course site regularly for detailed assignments and updates.

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.

D2L and Elluminate
This course will be conducted entirely online using D2L. Lectures, assignments, and most communications, including discussions and announcements, will be conducted via D2L. There will be instructor office hours held on Elluminate. These will be NOT be required but instead will be recorded for future access. There are NO Mandatory Elluminate sessions scheduled for these classes.  

Students will need to have a microphone attached to their computer to participate. It is recommended that you log in at least 10 minutes before class to check the audio. Make sure you utilize the Elluminate Drop-in center. They have weekday and weekend hours and a tutor is there to assist you with your needs. I expect to have one or two LIS student assistants that will be assigned to help my students with Elluminate during this term.
You are required to complete an orientation session with Debbie Faires prior to participating in the first session. For a list of training times and other helpful information, see the SLIS Student Guide to Elluminate at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/software/elluminate/students/index.htm

General Expectations for Students

• Have the minimal home computing environment as described at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm
• Use a current virus protection program to scan all assignments before they are submitted electronically to D2L, other students and to your instructor
• Submit assignments electronically using D2L.
• Submit assignments by midnight of the due date. An assignment submitted after the due date will be subjected to a grade penalty.
• Create assignments using Microsoft Word and double space in no more than a 12-point font
• Consistently follow the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) for formats, citations and references
• Avoid spelling, grammatical and syntactical errors
• Be able to utilize Elluminate **as an online environment for virtual office hours, virtual chats and discussions. 

**Elluminate Support: http://ischool.sjsu.edu/de/tutorials/elluminate/more.htm

Use the Elluminate tutorials to learn how to upload PowerPoint presentations and how to utilize their feature "application sharing" and verify your microphone and speakers are in operational order. You can use Elluminate with text messaging if you have no microphone. SLIS will be providing student training with Elluminate so check your listserv postings.
Also join the school’s electronic list, SLISADMIN, to get official or administrative messages from SLIS. Find directions at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/electroniclists.htm or
choose Electronic Lists under the Computing pull-down menu on the SLIS Web site.

Course Assignments
More detail on each assignment will be provided in D2L coursesite.

This LIBR 200 section contains the following assignments which demonstrate specific learning outcomes (as identified above):

1. Outcome:  Students will know the foundations and structure of the information professions.
   Assessment via Discussion Forums: Students will participate in class discussions that address current issues in the information professions.
2. Outcome:  Students will be able to locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature.
   Assessment: Students will write critical notes and/or LIS article review & analysis pertaining to library and information science issues; complete a LIS Resource survey related to term paper topic; analyze and complete an annotated bibliography of peer-reviewed LIS articles. 
3. Outcome:  Students will demonstrate in-depth understanding of a major issue in library and information science.
   Assessment:  Students will research and write a major paper (worth 30% of their total grade) on a topic relating to information and society. 

Assignment Specifics

1. Discussion Board Forums
   Online Discussion/Class Participation
   As this class is completely online and asynchronous, participation in the scheduled D2L discussions is essential for success in the course.  Discussion postings are due as scheduled at D2l course site.  (Student Learning Outcome: Students will know the foundations and structure of the information professions.) 15%
   
2. LIS Resources Survey
   This assignment is intended to introduce you to the major print and online sources used in library and information science research. You will be asked to examine varying types of reference sources pertinent to your term paper topic and evaluate their content, quality, and usefulness. A bibliography and instructions will be provided.(Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature) 15 %
3. Article Critique.You will read, analyze, and respond to TWO LIS articles on the values, ethics, or future of information professionals. Please utilize the topics suggested under Course Objectives such as
   • issues involved in creating and disseminating information in society; major values and codes of ethics associated with the information professions;
   • the impact of cultural diversity on the provision of user services by librarians and other information professionals, etc. (Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature)  20%
4. Annotated Bibliography
   This assignment gets you started on your research paper by asking you to locate and evaluate 15 sources pertinent to your paper topic. An annotated bibliography provides brief summaries of important writings on a given topic to assist researchers in determining their relevance and value. Your term paper topic must be preapproved by instructor. Instructions will be provided. (Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature) 20%  
5. Term Paper
   You will write a formal 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 chose an issue of more personal interest that is relevant to the goals and objectives of this course. The text of your paper should be 15-20 pages in length, double-spaced, with at least 20 citations in your reference list, most of which are scholarly. Note:  The page length does NOT include title page, abstract, or References list. A bibliography is not required, but you may include one if you'd like to list sources not cited but consulted for background information and context. 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 must adhere to the rules established in the APA Publication Manual.  (Student Learning Outcome: Demonstrate in-depth understanding of major issues in library and information science) 30 %

Grading and Due Dates
Course Assignment Scoring

Grading Philosophy
Completing all assignments in an accurate manner, on time, and containing all elements of the assignment components will normally earn a grade of B. To raise this grade, you will need to demonstrate above average creativity, imagination, analysis, and scholarship, use of differing sets of media and expanded scholarly research and readings.  Reading late assignments is at the instructor’s discretion. Illness and emergencies are usually the only good excuses.

All assignments are due on sundays and must be submitted before midnight. Grades will be reduced for any late work, each day late, by ten percent total grade of assignment. Please contact me prior to a deadline in the case of illness or emergency.

Course Calendar

The following dates are tentative and subject to change with fair notice.

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbooks:

• 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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