LIBR 200-12
LIBR 200-20
Information and Society
Fall 2009 Greensheet

Steve Tash
E-mail
Office: office location
Phone: (949) 683-7151 (9am-7pm PST)
Office Hours:
Virtual office hours. Telephone and IM-Yahoo messenger advising.


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

This is an online ANGEL course.  Students must self-enroll for this course on ANGEL between August 21-Aug. 26,2009 and will be required to use a password access code which I will provide using the MySJSU Messaging system." Note: There are THREE mandatory Elluminate sessions scheduled for this class. See section on Elluminate below. Make sure you place the appropriate dates and times for your PARTICULAR 200 SECTION onto your calendar.

Course Description

Explores the complex social, economic, historical, and technological developments that influence the impact of information on society. The mission, values and ethics of information professionals are also analyzed.

Prerequisites: Demonstrated computer literacy

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 sectors;
  • Describe and evaluate issues involved in creating and disseminating information in society, with particular attention paid to information literacy;
  • Understand the role of libraries and their relationship to other information providers;
  • 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;
  • Describe and discuss important economic and policy issues related to the creation and dissemination of information;
  • Understand and have experience with different forms and genres of 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 SLIS 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;
  • Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations.
  • 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.

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

Course Calendar
Assignment due dates are located in Angel course calendar,announcements and under assignments. They are all subject to change with fair notice.

Mandatory Elluminate Sessions

  • LIBR 200-12
    9/25/09  5-8pm PST; 10/8/09  5-8 pm PST;  11/14/09  9am-12 noon PST; 11/21/09 9am-12 noon PST
  • LIBR 200-20
    9/26/09  9am-12 noon PST; 10/9/09 5pm-8pm PST; 11/14/09 1:30pm-4;30pm PST;  11/21/09  1;30pm-4:30pm PST

Graduate Writing Requirement
This course satisfies the University graduate writing requirement.

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 ANGEL  discussion 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 ANGEL course site regularly for detailed assignments and updates.

  1. Be registered for the course FIRST.
  2. The access code for self enrollment onto the ANGEL site will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the My.SJSU.edu messaging system a few days prior to the beginning of the course.

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.

Elluminate
There are FOUR required Elluminate sessions scheduled for this class. They will be posted at the course web site.

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 ANGEL, other students and to your instructor
  • Submit assignments electronically using ANGEL.
  • Submit assignments by midnight of the due date. An assignment submitted after the due date may be subjected to a grade penalty.
  • Create assignments using Microsoft Word and double space in no more than a 12-point font
  • Be proficient with developing PowerPoint presentations and making presentations on Elluminate (i.e. web tour, application sharing, and PowerPoint slides). Become familiar with several social network resources such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, etc.
  • 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. Students may utilize ANGEL group chat/virtual classroom functions within their group profile with their group colleagues.

**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 ANGEL.

  1. Outcome: Students will know the foundations and structure of the information professions.
    Assessment: All students will participate in a group project that surveys the information professions and report findings to the class.
  2. Outcome: Students will be able to locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature.
    Assessment: Assessment: All students will be required to write research paper, critical essays, notes and/or annotations for submission to instructor and/or course discussion board forums.
  3. Outcome: Students will demonstrate in-depth understanding of a major issue in library and information science.
    Assessment: Students are required to research and write a major paper (worth 30% of their total grade) on a topic relating to information and society.
  4. Outcome: Students will demonstrate in-depth understanding of organizational settings for various environments and facilities with professional librarians and information specialists.
    Assessment: Students will complete a field analysis of different types of libraries

 

  1. ANGEL Discussions
    There is an initial introduction forum for students to introduce themselves to follow class students and the instructor. this forum will open August 24th and students may participate for credit until midnight (Pacific) August 30th. Participation in this forum is worth 1 point. There are six additional discussions, approximately every other week that allow you to reflect on issues introduced in lectures and readings and assignments. Participation is mandatory. Each of these discussions is worth 4 points. Discussion guidelines provide information addressing the times for and type of participation required to earn the maximum points. 25 points in total.
      
    As this class is completely on-line and asynchronous, participation in the regular ANGEL discussions is essential for success in the course. For the purposes of this class, participation includes attendance at all Elluminate sessions, thoughtful contribution to class discussions at our Elluminate presentations, team interaction, web tutorial completion and other activities and demonstrations.  (Student Learning Outcome: Students will know the foundations and structure of the information professions.) 25 pts
  2. Readings
    Each week there may be:
    • article readings regarding information and society, and;
    • other readings & tutorials as assigned, including e-journal articles and web tutorials, webcasts and/or podcasts and blog readings;
      an online "lecture" provided by the instructor via ANGEL;
      Readings from the textbook;
  3. Term Paper
    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 choose an issue of more personal interest that is relevant to the goals and objectives of this course. The text of your paper must be at least 15 pages in length; the reference list should include at least 20 citations. The reference list lists only those sources actually cited in your research paper. 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 as well as your adherence to technical requirements such as page numbers, margins, font size, and proper citation. Your references and formatting should adhere to the rules established in the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition. This project is worth more than one third of the total grade for class. 30 pts
  4. Social networking Resource(Team Reflective Project)
    Oral presentation skills and working with a team are essential in graduate school and in professional life as well. This particular assignment provides important practice in these work skills. In this assignment, students will work together as a team to understand, analyze, and evaluate various Social networking resources as they pertain to library and information science. Students will learn to research effectively, analyze resources, and analyze primary sources to create a collaborative Virtual Presentation.

    As part of this project each student will research, locate and critique an article relevant to their Social Network resource and then  read about,  analyze, and study the use of their particular social network/bookmark tool and evaluate it in terms of potential value, ethics,  and reflect on its role in the future with information professionals and/or libraries/information centers. The critique/reflective essay should be between 500 and 800 words. (Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature).15 pts
  5. Library Issues & Trends Project
    Student will research and develop a media/online project to showcase on Elluminate. This project will focus on an assigned reading pertaining to library and information science issues and trends. (Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature). 15 pts
  6. Professional Journal Review/Analysis
    Please review a professional journal related to library and information science. You may select from list at my course reserves page (King Library-Rubin Appendix A) or those posted @SJSU SLIS i.e. http://ischool.sjsu.edu/resources/journals.htm or http://ischool.sjsu.edu/courses/250.loertscher/250resources.html 
    This review/analysis should be a minimum of two pages, double-spaced. (Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature). 5 pts
  7. Review/Analysis of a Professional LIS Association
    This assignments involves a written report about a library and information science association.This review/analysis should be at least two pages, double-spaced. You may use the SLIS list @ http://ischool.sjsu.edu/resources/orgs.htm
    or list at my course reserves page (King library-Rubin, Appendix B). (Student Learning Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize scholarly and professional literature).5 points
  8. Term Paper Presentation
    A brief, approximately 5 min. overview of your research topic, explaining why it is important, the main points made in your paper or uncovered by your research and key references. You should prepare a handout to accompany your presentation which includes your research topic, main points and refernces. 5 points

Grading
Course Assignment Scoring

  • Research paper =30 points
  • Social networking/Team Elluminate presentation =15 points
  • Journal Review  =5 points
    Professional Association review= 5 pts
  • LIS issues & Trends Elluminate Presentation = 15 points
    Discussions topic responses = 25 pts
    Term paper Elluminate presentation= 5 pts
  • total possible points= 100 points

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 no later than 5:00 pm (Pacific) on the assigned dates. Late submissions will not be accepted for credit without prior written instuctor approval and are subject to an automatic 20% reduction in the total points for the assignment.

Course Calendar

Dates Topic Discussions (incl time periods) Due Dates
Intro & Week 1
8/24-30
Unit 1: Information professionals and the environments in which they work.
Provides an intro to the information professions & environments. Intro class website, each other, peer review process & journal searching.
Introduction
8/24-30
Post ASAP
 
Week 2
8/31-9/6
Unit 2: Hist of Libraries and information professions.

Examines the historic role of the library & its missions; impact of technological change on the library and information professionals; & concept & evolution of information
   
Weeks 3-4
9/7-20
holiday 9/7
Unit 3: Information Organization Professional Knowledge & Scholarly Research in LIS
Examines how info is organized in libraries and professional info centers & the tools used to organize it.  Also addressed is the creations & dissemination of professional & scholarly knowledge in LIS; professional sources of info about LIS; & APA citation format
Discussion I
9/7-13
 
Week 5
9/21-27
Unit 4: Information User
Examines theories & methodologies for determining user information needs & expanding information literacy skills
Discussion 2
9/21-27
Journal Review
due 9/27, 5pm PST

Elluminate 200-12
9/25, 5-8pm PST
Elluminate 200-20
9/26, 9am-12noon PST
Week 6
9/28-10/4
Unit 5: Professional Ethics
Examines the ethical foundations of librarianship & the 1st Amendment rights of minors in the school & public library settings.
  Due LIS Assn Critique
10/4, 5pm PST
Week 7
10/5-11
Unit 6. Special Populations, Multi-Culturalism & Values
Examines the multiculturalism mission of information professionals & info institutions to serve a variety of special populations.
Discussion 3
10/5-11
Elluminate 200-12
10/8, 5-8pm PST
Elluminate 200-20
10/9, 5-8pm PST
Weeks 8-9
10/12-25
Units 7 & 8
Unit 7: Status of Librarianship as a Profession.
Examines the socially constructed role of the library and information professionals.
Unit 8: Librarianship in popular culture: Views from Outside and Inside the profession.
Considers how librarians are depicted in popular culture including fiction, film & websites.
Discussion 4
10/19-25
 
Weeks 10-11
10/26-11/8
Unit 9. Censorship & Intellectual Freedom.
Explores issues relating to Intellectual freedom including but not limited to Censorship in School libraries; the evolution of Intellectual freedom in LIS; and current issues affecting Intellectual Freedom today.
Discussion 5
11/2-8
 
Weeks 12-13
11/9-22
(no class 11/11)
Unit 10. Information Policy 
Reviews major policy issues & laws concerning information & the providing of information in libraries & other information entities(incl. USA Patriot act, Privacy & Confidentiality law, and CIPA)
Discussion 6
11/16-22
Elluminate
200-12
11/14, 9am-noon PST
AND
200-20
11/14, 1:30pm-4:30pm PST

due Term paper
11/21, 5pm PST

Elluminate-Term paper presentation
200-12
11/21, 9am-12noon PST
200-20
11/21, 1:30pm-4:30pm PST
Week 14
11/23-29
(no class 11/26-27)
Unit 11. Information & Library Access Futures.
Examines emerging issues relating to librarians in an information society, with an emphasis on copyright, fair use, libraries as public forums including the nature of library meeting rooms, & professional liability.
   
Week 15
11/30-12/6
Unit 12: Marketing Your Library.
Marketing concepts applicable to LIS
   
Week 16
12/7-8
Review of Presentations    

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbook:

  • Haycock, K., & Sheldon, B. E. (Eds.). (2008). The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1591585473. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain

Recommended Textbook:

  • American Psychological Association (2009). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) American Psychological Association. Available through Amazon: 1433805618. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain


GWAR

This course satisfies the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

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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