Graduate
LIS 701-03 - (3 credit hours)
- Fall,
2007
Introduction to Library and Information
Science
Main Lewis - 310
Tuesday, 6:00 – 9:00
Instructor: Bernard McMahon
312-810-0368 (cell)
708-763-9756 (home)
Course Description:
An overview of the history,
philosophy, purpose, functions and processes, users, collections and evaluation
of academic, public, school and special libraries and information centers; of
the history and trends of books and other media, publishing and information
technology; of the principles and basic elements of the collection development
process; of relevant legal and ethical topic intellectual property (copyright),
access, confidentiality of records, intellectual freedom and censorship; and of
current professional issues. This is the recommended first course for all GSLIS
students.
Recommended Text:
Richard E. Rubin, Foundations
of Library and Information Science, 2nd ed., NY: Neal-Schuman, 2004.
Learning Objectives:
Provide an introductory
understanding of the field of library and information science.
Develop a framework for
understanding the relations between technological innovations and the dynamic
nature of the library and information profession.
Convey historical and modern
trends in the library and information science field.
Explore current issues and
controversies in the field of library science including social, political,
ethical and policy issues in information environments.
Establish an understanding of
the purposes, functions, and processes of public, academic, school, special
libraries and information centers.
Understand existing
information infrastructures and how libraries exist within such systems.
Develop concrete research and
critical thinking skills related to the library science world.
Better understand how
libraries and information centers actually function and to examine real world
issues faced by practitioners.
Dissect and discuss important
core professional issues and establish a personal library and information
science philosophy.
Assignments,
Calendar and Grading
Issue
Paper: 20% of grade – due 12/4
Eight page paper on practices, theories and values of librarianship.
In Class
assignments and Participation: 10% of
grade - ongoing
Projects, assignments and opportunities to present to the class.
Reference
Questions and Queries: 10% of grade -
ongoing
Sample reference questions will be distributed
Create a
Subject Guide webpage or online pathfinder aimed at serving undergraduate
students. 10%
of grade – due 11/13
We will use Dreamweaver to create an online research guide.
Group
Presentation: 10% of grade- due 11/6
Design and deliver a Bibliographic Instruction session.
Annotated
Bibliography: 10% of grade – due 10/9
Two page bibliography with emphasis on research skills
Visit a
Library: 10% of grade – due 10/2
Turn in a two page report on your visit and report back to class.
Short
paper: 10% of grade – due 10/24
Two page paper examining article by Nicholson Baker and the card catalog.
Library
Vocabulary and MARC Quiz: 10% of grade – due ?
Understand library shop talk and identify basic fields.
Grading
The course grading scale is as follows: A
(95-100 points); A- (90 to 94 points); B+ (85-89 points); B (80-84 points); B-
(77-79); C+ (74-76); C (70-74); C- (65-69); F (64 and below). Grading will
follow GSLIS grading guidelines:
A: Outstanding achievement.
Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials and
evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far surpasses course
expectations; nearly flawless work.
A-: Excellent achievement.
Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of the course materials and
exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior
manner.
B+: Good solid work. Student
performance demonstrates strong comprehension of the course materials and
exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course syllabus.
B: Satisfactory acceptable
work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates
understanding of the course materials and performs at an acceptable level.
B-: Marginal work. Student
performance demonstrates incomplete, substandard understanding of course
materials, or absence of required work; indicates danger of falling below
acceptable grading standard.
C+: Unsatisfactory work.
Student performance demonstrates unsatisfactory understanding of course
materials and inability to meet course requirements.
C: Unacceptable work. Student
performance demonstrates incomplete and inadequate understanding of course
materials.
C-: Poor work.
F: Failing grade.
Policies regarding completion of assignments:
It is the student’s responsibility to
complete assignments and turn them in on time. Late assignments are
strongly discouraged and the grade will lowered one full grade for each session
an assignment is late. If the student has a crisis, s/he must bring this
to my attention immediately if s/he expects any adjustment to the assignment
schedule. I will then decide on a case-by-case basis if late penalties
will be reduced or waived.
Class room policies regarding attendance and late
arrival:
Students are expected to arrive to class on time and stay for the entire
session. You are graduate students and adults and are responsible for
your actions. Consequently, attendance will rarely be taken as a method
of checking up on you.
Students who must miss a class
due to religious observance, illness or other emergency should notify me by
e-mail or phone before class time. Students are responsible for obtaining
class materials distributed during their absence, for ensuring their
familiarity with the material covered in class, and for completing any
assignments on schedule.
You are expected to turn off all cell phones and pagers during class so that
full attention can be given to the work at hand.
Statements about consequences for failure to meet the
requirements of the course or classroom policies:
Students are expected to attend class, read the assigned texts, participate in
class discussions, completely in-class and homework assignments in the time
frame stated and to be present on exam days to turn in their exams. If
problems arise in meeting these expectations, I am willing to work with you to
resolve them. If problems continue on an ongoing basis and it becomes
apparent to me that you are unable to meet the criteria for completing this
course, the dean or acting dean will be notified and you will receive and “I”,
“WX”, “WF” or “NC” for the course as is appropriate.
Academic Honesty and Integrity:
You are expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic conduct. I will be checking all
work. Anyone guilty of cheating and plagiarism will be referred to the
administration for appropriate disciplinary actions. Please consult page twenty of the 2007-2008
Student Handbook and Planner for the department’s full statement on academic
integrity.