LIBR 248-15
Beginning Cataloging & Classification
Spring 2012 Greensheet

Gregory Cotton
E-mail
Office Hours: Call as needed
Phone (Day): (319) 330-7058
Phone (Evening): (319) 330-7058

This course will use D2L as its primary communication device. You will be automatcially enrolled in the course site in D2L.

Course Description

Theory and practice of bibliographic control including the study of representative cataloging using AACR2/RDA, machine-based representation using the MARC formats and other standards, and subject analysis and classification using LCSH, Dewey, and LCC with the principle focus on monographic and serial literature.

Course Objectives

At the end of the class, the student will:

• Understand the process of cataloging and classification in different formats through application of standardized cataloging tools
• Understand impact of cataloging decisions on user retrieval
• Understand current issues in cataloging, cataloging policy, and organization of new formats

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:

• use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or collections of information.

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Course Requirements

Assignments
Assignments cover:

• Descriptive Cataloging of Books
• Subject Headings
• Dewey Decimal Classification
• Library of Congress Classification

Two examinations cover both theoretical and practical application of cataloging principles.

Late Assignments
Late assignments are not accepted except by prior consent of the instructor. No points will be awarded for late assignments not previously arranged.

Course Communication
This course will meet in asynchronous mode. Lecture notes (usually with one or more accompanying practice exercises) will be posted each Friday. Students are encouraged to make extensive use of the course discussion boards for questions related to lectures or assignments.  We will have five non-required Elluminate Q&A sessions throughout the semester, one before each graded exercise and exam.
Reminder: Students must self-enroll for this course on D2L. Please address course-related e-mail to gregorymcotton@gmail.com. NOTE: Be sure to put 248 in the subject line of the message!

Incompletes
Students who cannot fulfill all the work for a course may be assigned an Incomplete only if arrangements are made with the instructor. If the instructor agrees to assign an Incomplete, then the student must obtain an Incomplete Form from: http://ischool.sjsu.edu/forms/inc.pdf

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.

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