LIBR 200-19
Information and Society 
Spring 2010 Greensheet

Dr. Ron Critchfield
E-mail
Home Phone: (859)885-3523
Office Location:
Jessamine County Public Library, Nicholasville, KY
Office Hours:
Virtual office hours by appointment. If you are near Lexington, KY, schedule a time to come visit in person.


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

This course will be delivered online primarily through Angel Learning Management Suite—yet other online tools may also be utilized as indicated in the course materials. Students must self-enroll for this course on Angel between January 23 – 26. Registered students will be required to use a password access code which will be sent via the MYSJSU messaging system on or before January 23.

The class begins on Tuesday, January 26 and ends Monday, May 17.

Course Description

This course is designed to explore the complex and interrelated historical, social, economic, cultural, political, and technological influences that shape information and society. The mission, values, and ethics of information professionals are also analyzed. 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 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 stakeholders and the information environments that provide for their needs;
  • Describe and evaluate issues involved in creating and disseminating information in society;
  • 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;
  • Discuss important economic and policy issues related to the creation, dissemination and use of information;
  • Explain what information literacy is and how it helps users evaluate and use information;
  • Compare the different genres of and venues for scholarly and professional writing.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Know the foundations and structure of the information professions;
  • 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.

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 Blackboard, 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

Assignments

  • Online Student discussions. There are six discussions that allow you to reflect on issues introduced in lectures and readings. Participation is mandatory. Each discussion is worth 3 points.
  • LIS resources survey. This assignment is intended to introduce you to the major print and online resources used in library and information science research. You will be asked to examine 5 reference resources pertinent to your term paper topic and evaluate their content, quality, and usefulness. You will then find from each resource at least one source to use and cite for your annotated bibliography/literature review assignment. A bibliography and instructions will be provided. 8 points.
  • Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography. This assignment helps start the process of researching and writing your term paper by asking you to locate and evaluate 12 - 15 sources (articles, books, websites, etc.) pertinent to your paper topic. Instructions will be provided. 14 points each (28 points total).
  • Librarians in Popular Culture Assignment. For this assignment, you will read a novel set in a library and watch a movie featuring a librarian as a main character and write an essay that analyzes how libraries and librarians are represented in popular culture. A bibliography and filmography will be provided. 12 points.
  • 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 student must request and receive topic approval from the instructor. The text of your paper should be 15 to 20 pages in length; the reference list should include at least 20 citations. 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. Your references and formatting should adhere to the rules established in the APA Publication Manual. 34 points.

All assignments are due on the dates listed below and must be submitted prior to midnight Pacific time (unless otherwise indicated).

Late submissions will be reduced by 20% of the total points possible for that assignment.

Grading

AssignmentPointsDue Date
Student Discussions18 pointsSee Calendar
LIS Resources Survey8 pointsSee Calendar
Literature Review14 pointsSee Calendar
Annotated Bibliography14 pointsSee Calendar
Librarians in Pop. Culture12 pointsSee Calendar
Term paper34 pointsSee Calendar

Course Calendar

NOTE: subject to change with fair notice.

DatesTopicDiscussionsDue Dates
Week 1

Jan. 26 – Feb. 1
 

Unit 1: The Information Professional
Provides an introduction to and overview of the information professions. Examines the relationship between professional competencies and LIS education.

Discussion:
Introduction


Post as soon as possible.

 
Weeks 2-3

Feb. 2 – 15
 

Unit 2. Information and Society
Introduces the concept of information and traces its evolution through a series of "information ages." Also explores the history of libraries, librarianship, and information science in response to social and technological change.
Discussion 1:
Complete before Feb. 15th, midnight Pacific time.
The student must request and receive topic approval from the instructor before February 15th.
Weeks 4-5

Feb. 16- Mar. 1
 

Unit 3. Professional Knowledge and Scholarly Research in Library and Information Science
Surveys the creation and dissemination of professional and scholarly knowledge in LIS. Includes a discussion of professional and reference sources of information about the field. APA citation style will also be covered.
 LIS Resources Survey

Due March 1st by midnight Pacific time.
 

Weeks 6-7

Mar. 2 – 15
 

Unit 4. Understanding the Information User
Examines theories and methodologies used to determine user information needs, develop information services, and provide information literacy instruction.
Discussion 2:
Complete before March 15th, midnight Pacific time.

IMPORTANT

Work on your Literature Review/ Annotated Bibliography assignments

Week 8

Mar. 16 – 22
 

Unit 5. Professional Ethics/Values
Examines the ethical foundations of librarianship and common ethical issues information professionals confront.
 

IMPORTANT

Work on your Literature Review/ Annotated Bibliography assignments

Week 9

Mar. 23 – 28
 

Unit 6. Special Populations/Multiculturalism Values
Explores the mission of information professionals and information institutions to serve all communities in a diverse, multicultural society.
Discussion 3:
Complete by March 28th, midnight Pacific time.

Lit Review/Annotated Bibliography
Due March 28th by midnight Pacific time.

Week 10

Mar. 29 – Apr. 2

SPRING RECESS 

Read some books and watch some movies with librarians in them if you can....

Do some research on final term paper if you can.

Weeks 11 - 12

Apr. 5 – 19
 

Unit 7. Status of Librarianship as a Profession
Examines the socially constructed role of the library and information professions. And considers how librarians and libraries are depicted in popular culture and the implications of professional stereotyping.
Discussion 4:
Complete by April 19th, midnight Pacific time.
 
Week 13

Apr. 20 – 26
 

Unit 8. From Censorship to Intellectual Freedom
Traces the evolution of access policies in libraries and reviews constitutional, legislative, judicial, and professional foundations of intellectual freedom.
 Book/Movie Review
Due April 26th by midnight Pacific time.
Week 14

Apr. 27 – May 10
 

Unit 9. Information Policy
Examines the role of government in regulating the flow of information and explores current controversies involving information professionals.
Discussion 5:
Complete by May 10th, midnight Pacific time.
 
Week 15

May 10 – 17
 

Unit 10. The Future of Libraries
Examines emerging issues relating to libraries and librarians in an information society.
Discussion 6:
Complete by May 17th, midnight Pacific time.
Term Papers Due May 16th (note not 17th but 16th) by midnight Pacific time.

Textbooks and Readings

 

Required 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
  • 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
  • Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of Library and Information Science. Neal-Schuman. Available through Amazon: 1555705189. 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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