LIBR 200-07
LIBR 200-14
Information and Society
Fall 2012 Greensheet

Steve Tash
E-mail
Phone: (949) 683-7151 (9am-8pm PST) Text or call me.
Office Hours: Virtual office hours. 


Greensheet Links
Textbooks
SLOs
Competencies
Prerequisites

Assignments
Resources
D2L
iSchool eBookstore
 

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.   Students will be automatically enrolled in the D2L site for this course. The course will be automatically available to students on 22 August 2012.

Our class begins on Wednesday, 22 August.     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 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 D2l and Collaborate. 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  use of Elluminate Collaborate** 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. Please spend extra time getting familiar with Collaborate. We will have a team presentation assignment involving the development of a presentation on collaborate.

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 Collaborate. These will be NOT be required but instead will be recorded for future access. There are NO Mandatory Elluminate sessions scheduled for this class.  

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 Collaborate 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 Collaborate **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.Assignment Specifics

  1. Discussion Board Forums
    Online Discussion/Class Participation (10 pts)
    All students are expected to participate fully in the course. Active participation in synchronous and asynchronous discussions is expected of all students, and each student is expected to maintain individual contact with the instructor regarding course requirements, concerns, etc. Participation in asynchronous discussions on D2L will be crucial to success in this course  Discussion postings are due as scheduled at D2l course site. This assignment supports SLOs 1-7.
  2. LIS Resources Survey (15 pts)
    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 5 reference sources pertinent to your term paper topic and evaluate their content, quality, and usefulness. Detailed instructions will be provided.   (Student Learning Outcomes 78)
  3. Review of a Professional Association (10 pts)
    You will prepare a  min. 2 page, max. 3 pg overview of a professional association relevant to work in the field of Library & Information Science. In this overview, you should identify resources made available by the association relevant to this class (e.g., professional ethics or standards, job resources, competency statements), as well as identify professional and/or social issues of key concern to the association. You may select any association from those listed on theSLIS Professional Associations in the Information Sciences page or from Rubin textbook appendix; but note that national or international associations are the most likely to have the depth and breadth of resources required to complete this assignment effectively. This assignment supports SLOs 4, 8.
  4. Review of a Scholarly Journal (10 pts)
    You will prepare a min. 2 page, max. 3 pg overview of a scholarly journal in the field of Library & Information Science.  In this overview, you should identify the major themes in the published literature over the past 3-5 years, as well as exemplary essays that explore research questions relevant to this class (e.g., recruitment and retention, professional ethics, information policy, social or historical issues in libraries, special users, cultural diversity, etc.). A short list of “Core Journals” is provided on this Greensheet, but you may choose from other scholarly journals in the field. If you have questions about the suitability of a journal for use in this assignment, please contact your instructor. This assignment supports  SLOs 2368
  5. Group Project: LIS Issues & Trends Within Information Organizations (20 pts)
    In this group project, you will work with 2-3 of your classmates to prepare an overview of key LIS issues, concerns, and trends in one of the major "library types" identified in your readings and lectures including but not limited to public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, archives, and special libraries. This assignment is designed to allow you to work with classmates to explore a topic of mutual interest, identify issues of concern within that topic, and share responsibility for learning in our class. Group Projects will be presented to the class through D2L between(11/25-12/2/12 ). These presentations will be pre-recorded using Blackboard Collaborate for future access by classmates and instructor for evaluative and learning purposes. Specific due dates for each group project will be announced on D2L.   If you have a gmail account you are all set; otherwise please set up a google account in order to take part in this project. This assignment supportsSLOs 5,8.
  6. Term Paper (30 pts)
    You will write a 15-20 pp. paper on an issue relevant to this course. This assignment is designed to introduce you to the scholarly and professional literature of Library and Information Science and to provide you with an opportunity to explore an area of personal interest in greater depth while demonstrating the ability to evaluate, synthesize, and present information from a variety of sources. A brief paper proposal will be due on (see d2l course site)
    This assignment supports SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
  7. Detailed instructions for each assignment will be posted on the D2L class site.

Grading
Course Assignment Scoring

LIS Resources Survey 15 pts

Article Critique

Prof Association Critique

12.5 pts

12.5 pts 
Group Project  20 pts

Discussion Forum Topic Responses

10 pts
Term Paper 30 pts
Total 100 pts

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.

Most 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.

Week One Libraries and Society
Explore the history of libraries, information services and information technology. Examine the role of libraries and their relationship to other information providers. Look at the provision of library and information services in the information society.

Get acquainted with the class web site, each other, and acquire necessary materials.
Week Two Characteristics of Information
Introduction to the concepts of information in a free society and a historical perspective on the need to provide equal access to information in order to maintain a democratic society.
Week Three Information and Society
Discuss the concept of the "Information Society" and its place in political, historical, and sociological perspective. Considers the role of technology in society and how it relates to social change.
Week Four Libraries, Information, and Technology
Reviews the social, political, and technical changes caused by technology in the information workplace.
Week Five The Profession of Librarianship
Explores the socially constructed role of the library and information professions.
Week Six Ethics of the Profession
Examines the ethical basis for professional activities.
Week Seven The Information Professional
Assesses the economic and social value added by the work of information professionals.
Week Eight The Information User
Examines theories and methodologies for determining user information needs and helping expand information literacy skills.
Week Nine Special Populations, Multiculturalism and Values
Examines the multicultural mission of information workers and information institutions to serve a variety of special populations.
Week Ten Professional Associations
Explores the mission and activities of professional organizations.
Week Eleven Information Economics
Examines the economic issues related to information access and ownership.
Week Twelve Information Policy
Reviews major policy issues related to information with special emphasis on information policy in a democratic society.
Week Thirteen Intellectual Property and Freedom
Explores issues relating to information ownership and intellectual freedom. Term paper submission.
Week Fourteen The Future of Information
Examines critical issues and predictions for the future of the information society.
Week Fifteen Term Papers & SOTE
This week is devoted to  SOTE (Student Opinion of Teaching Effectiveness) & course evaluation
Week Sixteen Term Papers & SOTE
This week is devoted to  SOTE (Student Opinion of Teaching Effectiveness) & course evaluation. Course ends mid-week.

Readings

There are scheduled readings per weekly module from current journal literature, e-journals, blogs and podcasts. 

Core Journals
Finally, you should begin to become familiar with professional journals that address issues relevant to this course and appropriate to your career plans, e.g.:

  • College & Research Libraries (Z671 C6)
  • Communications in Information Literacy (online)
  • Evidence-Based Library & Information Practice (online)
  • Journal of Academic Librarianship (Z671 J58)
  • Journal of Information Ethics (Z682.35.P75 J68)
  • Public Libraries (Z673.A5 P88)
  • Reference Services Review (Z1035.1 R43)
  • School Library Media Research (online)

The call numbers listed above are drawn from the library catalog, and they may help you to locate materials, if available, at any academic library to which you may have access. Each of the titles above is also available through the SJSU electronic journal collection or throughopen access.

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.

Course Workload Expectations

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group;contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Course Prerequisites

LIBR 200 has no prequisite requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the role of information from historical, current, and future perspectives.
  2. Identify various information stakeholders and the information environments that provide for their needs.
  3. Describe and evaluate issues involved in creating and disseminating information in society.
  4. Identify and discuss the major values and codes of ethics associated with the information professions.
  5. Describe the impact of cultural diversity on the provision of user services by librarians and other information professionals.
  6. Discuss important economic and policy issues related to the creation, dissemination, and use of information.
  7. Explain what information literacy is and how it helps users evaluate and use information.
  8. Locate, evaluate, and use scholarly and professional literature.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes)

LIBR 200 supports the following core competencies:

  1. A Articulate the ethics, values, and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom.
  2. B Describe and compare the organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice.
  3. C Recognize and describe cultural and economic diversity in the clientele of libraries or information organizations.
  4. L Demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and of the evaluation and synthesis of research literature.

Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

  • Rubin, R. E. (2010). Foundations of library and information science (3rd ed.). Neal-Schuman. Available through Amazon: 1555706908. 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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