LIBR 248-13
Beginning Cataloging and Classification
Spring 2009 Greensheet

Jennifer Lang
E-mail
Office hours: Virtual: through email, Angel, and instant messenger.


Greensheet Links
Textbooks and Resources
Course Requirements
Resources
ANGEL
ANGEL Tutorials
iSchool eBookstore
 

This course will use Angel as its primary communication device. You may enroll in the course Angel site beginning Monday, January 19. The enrollment code will be sent to you via MySJSU. 

Course Description

Theory and practice of bibliographic control techniques including the study of representation of cataloging using AACR2 (latest edition) and Library of Congress Rule Interpretations in machine-based representation using the MARC21 format and other metadata standards, and subject analysis and classification including Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), and Library of Congress Classification (LCC) with the principal focus on monographic and selected serial and non-print material.

Course Objectives

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 and organization of specific collections of information;
  • 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.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Define and understand terminology used in the organization of information;
  • Use, interpret, and evaluate bibliographic information;
  • Understand how cataloging decisions affect user retrieval;
  • Describe works using standard systems and tools for organizing information;
  • Analyze works in order to determine their content and purpose;
  • Create catalog and metadata records for print and non-print resources; and
  • Understand current issues in cataloging, cataloging policy, and organization of new formats.

Course Requirements

Course Format
This is an online course taught using Angel.

Course Calendar
A complete calendar for this course will be posted in Angel. Class begins January 22, 2009. The course calendar may be subject to change with fair notice.

Assignments
Students are required to complete the following assignments:

  • Read required books and articles, some of which will be assigned via Angel.
  • Participate in online discussions via Angel on a weekly basis adding thoughtful, substantive comments or questions that relate to the readings or other assignments. Participation is 20% of the grade.
  • There will be eight (8) graded assignments plus one midterm exam and one final exam:
Assignments (8) 40% of total grade
Midterm Exam 25% of total grade
Final Exam 25% of total grade
Class Participation 10% of total grade

All assignments are due by midnight on the scheduled date.

Late Assignments
Late assignments are accepted only if prior arrangements are made with the instructor. Grades for late assignments will be reduced by 10 percent.

Textbooks and Resources

Required Textbooks:

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

icon showing link leads to the PDF file viewer known as Acrobat Reader Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to access PDF files.

More accessibility resources.