LIBR 243-10
Systems Analysis
Fall 2009 Greensheet

Students must self-enroll in this course by the first day of class, Monday, August 24. An access code will be sent to you via MySJSU prior to when the class opens on the first day. Note: LIBR 243-01 and -10 will share the same Angel webpage.

Course Description

The systems analysis approach and formal concepts of systems analysis. How to use the concepts in analysis of an information organization as a "system". Develop systems solutions to problems of delivering information services to users.

Course Prerequisites: LIBR 200, 202, 204 required.

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes

• Understand the formal concepts of systems analysis and how to apply them to describing, creating and improving various processes.
• Describe the role of a Systems Librarian in a modern library, and what knowledge, skills and abilities are necessary to successfully integrate computer systems into library work.

LIBR 243 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

• E - design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems
• H - 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

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Course Requirements

• Discussion Board (on Angel) 30%
  Each week we will discuss topics from the assigned readings. You are required to access the discussion board at least once each week and comment on the questions. There are 15 chapters and 15 weeks in the semester. You will receive a maximum of 2 points for each contribution: one for just being there and one for the quality (not necessarily the quantity) of your comments, which should demonstrate an understanding of the readings and the issues they discuss.
  Due by the end of each week (Sunday 11:59 pm)
   
• Mashup Project 5%
  Students will constuct a simple mashup using Yahoo Pipes which demonstrates the usefullness of mashups in the web-based world. Students will then describe the project in a one page paper, and include a link to the pipe.
  Paper due: 9/18/09
  
• Systems Study 30%
  This assignment is designed to demonstrate knowledge of the process of Systems Analysis. The assignment is to analyze the system behind some task using the tools you are learning about.
  
  Pick a task, almost any sort of task you have access to. It can be a system involving computers in a library, but if you don't have access to one, you may pick some moderately complex task. It can be library-related, such as "How to add MARC records to an online system" or non-library-related, like "How to bake loaves of bread". The key is for it to have enough complexity to use the models of systems analysis we will be discussing, yet not be too complex to complete in the time allotted for this task.
  
  First, submit your choice to me via email for approval. Topic Due: 9/25/09
  
  Then produce a 10-15 page formal report on the system involved. Define the task, collect the data you need to assess it, formally analyze it, design a system to accomplish the task and test it, then finally plan the implementation and evaluation of your system. Spelling, grammar, and organization will all count towards the grade.
  Paper due: 10/23/09
  
• Research Paper 35%
  This assignment is designed to demonstrate knowledge of the current state of Systems Analysis in Libraries. Pick a topic either from the texts or the supplemental readings, related to the practice of systems analysis in libraries.
  
  First, submit your choice of topic to me via email for approval. Topic Due: 11/06/09
  
  Then research your topic, and write a 15-20 page paper (with a minimum of 10 references) that sums up your reading in a way that demonstrates an understanding of both the content and context. Spelling, grammar, and organization will all count towards the grade, and this paper must include citations to the articles in APA style.
  Paper due: 12/4/09

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbook:

• Ingersoll, P., & Culshaw, J. (2004). Managing information technology: A handbook for systems librarians. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 031332476X.

• Osborne, L.N., & Nakamura, M. (2000). Systems analysis for librarians and information professionals. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 156308693X.

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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