INFO 204-15
INFO 204-16
Information Professions
Fall 2016 Syllabus
Dr. Cheryl Stenstrom
E-mail
Office Hours:
Virtual office hours by appointment
| Syllabus Links Textbooks CLOs Competencies Prerequisites |
Resources Canvas Login and Tutorials iSchool eBookstore |
Getting Started
Canvas Information: Courses will be available beginning August 24th, 6 am PT unless you are taking an intensive or a one unit or two unit class that starts on a different day. In that case the class will open on the first day that the class meets.
You will be enrolled into the Canvas site automatically.
Course Description
Examines the organizations and environments in which information professionals work. This course explores different specializations and career paths, professional communities, networks and resources, ethical and legal frameworks. This course also introduces management and leadership theories and concepts and applies them to different information environments. A special focus is placed on management responsibilities in order to emphasize the importance of these skills in the professional workplace.
Note: iSchool requires that students earn a B in this 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.
Course Requirements
Complete INFO 203 Online Learning: Tools and Strategies for Success
This is a mandatory 1 unit course that introduces students to the various e-learning tools used in the iSchool program. For more information, see: http://ischool.sjsu.edu/current-students/courses/core-courses-and-electives
Writing Requirement
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.
Discussion
Students will perform a series of activities relating to the information professions and their organizational analysis. (Course Learning Outcomes: #1, #3, #6)
Exploratory Essay
Using LIS databases and other relevant resources, students will read, analyze and respond to a recent scholarly article on transferable skills and competencies in the modern knowledge economy for library and information science (LIS) professionals. (Course Learning Outcomes: #8)
Organizational Analysis
Working together in small groups, students will assume roles on teams to create an organizational analysis, in two parts, for an information organization. In the first part, each team will draft vision, mission and value statements for the organization. In addition, teams will produce a literature review and conduct an environmental scan including a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Based on findings of the first part of the project, the group will articulate strategic directions for the information organization in the second half of the project. Goals will be measured by appropriate criteria specified and presented by the team to their classmates. An annotated bibliography will also be included in this second part of the report. A peer review regarding individual contributions and performance on the team will be included and considered in the final grade for the team project. (Course Learning Outcomes: #2, #5, #8)
Career Development
Students will be introduced to the extensive School Career Development online resources and will asked to submit their resume. In addition, students will also utilize the ePortfolio function in the Canvas learning management system. (Course Learning Outcomes: #4, #7)
Professional Synthesis
A culminating synthesis allows students to reflect and respond to the major elements of INFO 204 and the information professions, supported and informed by the course and supplemental scholarly material. Students will utilize an alternate format (e.g. website, wiki, podcast, video, Powerpoint, Prezi, etc.) to produce and present their culminating assignment. (Course Learning Outcomes: #1, #8)
Grading
| Assignment | Points | Due Date |
| Discussion Forum | 3 points each (30 points total) |
December 12 |
| Exploratory Essay | 15 points | September 21 |
| Organizational Analysis | 30 points |
October 26 (Part 1) November 17 (Part 2) |
| Career Development | 10 points | December 4 |
| Professional Synthesis | 15 points | December 11 |
Assignment Deadlines
All assignments must be submitted by 11:59pm Pacific time on the due date. Grades will be reduced for any late work, each day late, by ten percent. Please contact instructor prior to a deadline in the case of illness or emergency.
Calendar
| Week | Topic/Module | Assignment |
| 1: August 24 | Chapters 1, 2, 4 1. The Transformative Information Landscape: What It Means to Be an Information Professional Today 2. Libraries and Information Organizations: Two Centuries of Experience 4. Diversity, Cultures and Equity of Access |
Discussion 1: Introductions including any particular area of current/future interest in the information professions and organizations. |
| 2: August 31 | Chapters 5-7 5. Librarianship: A Continuously Evolving Profession 6. Literacy and Media Centers in the 21st Century: School Libraries 7. The Learning and Research Institution: Academic Libraries Additional readings on accountability, responsibility, and delegation (TBA); Exploratory Essay assignment instructions shared |
Discussion 2: Scholarly article summary and key takeaways on the topic of accountability, responsibility or delegation. |
|
3: September 8 |
Chapters 8-10 8. Community Anchors for Lifelong Learning: Public Libraries 9. Information Centers: Special Libraries 10. Digital Resources: Digital Libraries |
Discussion 3: Online Career Resources and post current job description/opening to be used in Week 14's Career Development assignment. |
|
4: September 15 |
Chapters 11-12 11. Expanding the Horizon of the MLIS 12. Information Needs: Understanding and Responding to Today’s Information User Additional readings on Legal Issues and Library Management and Decision Making (TBA) |
Due: Exploratory Essay September 21 |
| 5: September 22 | Chapters 13-14 13. Finding Information: Information Intermediation and Reference Services 14. Organizing Information: Technical Services Videos and tips sheets on Building Teams; Organizational Analysis teams announced and assignment instructions shared |
Discussion 4: Successful virtual teams |
| 6: September 29 | Chapters 15-16 15. Accessing Information Anywhere and Anytime: Access Services 16. Teaching Users: Information and Technology Literacy Instruction Additional readings on The Planning Process and Effective Leadership (TBA) |
Discussion 5: Leadership characteristics; Progress Report due for Organizational Analysis October 5 |
| 7: October 6 | Chapters 18, 20, 21 18. Hyperlinked Libraries 20. Infinite Learning 21. Management Skills Additional readings on Communicating and Change Management (TBA) |
No discussion; continue work on Part 1 of Group Project |
| 8: October 13 | Chapters 22-23 22. Managing Budgets 23. Managing Personnel Career Development assignment instructions shared |
Discussion 6: 20% budget cut |
| 9: October 20 | Chapters 24-25 24. Managing Facilities 25. Managing Collections |
Discussion 7: Discussion 7: Prepare for the worst: Sharing an emergency/disaster plan; Due: Part 1 of Organizational Analysis October 26 |
| 10: October 27 | Chapters 26-27 26. Managing Technology 27. Managing Communications, Marketing and Outreach |
Discussion 8: Emerging Technology - The Horizon Report |
| 11: November 3 | Chapters 28-29 28. Demonstrating Value: Assessment 29. Information Policy Additional readings on Advocacy (TBA) |
Discussion 9: Marketing and Advocacy for the contemporary LIS organization |
| 12: November 10 | Chapters 31-32 31. Copyright and Creative Commons 32. Information Licensing Instructions for Professional Synthesis shared |
No discussion; Due: Part 2 of Organizational Analysis November 17 |
| 13: November 18 | Chapters 33-34 33. Open Access 34. Analog and Digital Curation and Preservation |
No discussion |
| 14: November 28 | Chapters 35, 37 35. Information Privacy and Cybersecurity 37. Career Management Strategies for Lifelong Success |
Discussion 10: Cover Letter and voting; Due: Career Development assignment (resume submitted and two artifacts loaded to ePortfolio in Canvas) December 4 |
| 15: December 5 | Chapter 39 39. Leadership for Today and Tomorrow |
Due: Professional Synthesis December 11 |
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
INFO 204 has no prequisite requirements.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the role of information and the information profession in various contexts, and from historical, current and future perspectives.
- Identify and discuss the professional values and ethics of library and information science.
- Explore a number of professional opportunities and related supports available to information professionals.
- Identify, discuss and compare key management concepts such as leadership, change, advocacy, and decision making, as well as the roles and activities of managers and leaders.
- Understand analytical and strategic planning processes and skills.
- Identify various information stakeholders and the information environments that provide for their needs.
- Experience and assess working in teams.
- Review, use and properly cite the professional and research literature of management and leadership.
Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes)
INFO 204 supports the following core competencies:
- A Demonstrate awareness of the ethics, values, and foundational principles of one of the information professions, and discuss the importance of intellectual freedom within that profession.
- B Describe and compare organizational settings in which information professionals practice.
- D Apply the fundamental principles of planning, management, marketing, and advocacy.
- M Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for professional work including collaboration and presentations.
- N Evaluate programs and services using measurable criteria.
Textbooks
Required Textbooks:
- Hirsh, S. (2015). Information services today. Rowman & Littlefield. Available through Amazon: 1442239581
Recommended Textbooks:
- American Psychological Association (2009). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) American Psychological Association. Available through Amazon: 1433805618.
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 or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA);
For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, BS-ISDA) — 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 if you wish to stay in the program. 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.
Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
University Policies
Per University Policy S16-9, university-wide policy information relevant to all courses, such as academic integrity, accommodations, etc. will be available on Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs' Syllabus Information web page at: https://www.sjsu.edu/curriculum/courses/syllabus-info.php. Make sure to visit this page, review and be familiar with these university policies and resources.
In order to request an accommodation in a class please contact the Accessible Education Center and register via the MyAEC portal.
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