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Last revised 8/2/05

Course Syllabus for IRLS 401/501 Organization of Information


Fall 2005 Instructor: Cheryl Knott Malone

Affiliates: Mary Johnson and Jane Kolbe


COURSE NAME, NUMBER, AND PREREQUISITES

Organization of Information

IRLS 401/501 Section 001

There are no course prerequisites.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION

 (3 units) Introduction to the theories and practices used in the organization of information. Overview of national and international standards and practices for access to information in collections. This course covers the history, theory and practices of information organization, primarily in traditional and digital libraries. However, other organizations and information environments such as archives, museums, and management information systems are also included. This is an introductory course that surveys the information and knowledge organization techniques that exist or are emerging and focuses on standards and tools that are used in large text-based information environments.

How this course will be taught

This is a 'blended' course combining 3 week-end meetings in Phoenix with online course support and management. Attendance at all six class meetings in Phoenix is required. Logging in to the d2l course space about 3-5 times a week, reading and using the materials provided there, and participating in the asynchronous discussions are also required.

The class will meet weekends in Phoenix. Sep 10-11, Oct 1-2, Nov 5-6. Our first in-person class will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Carnegie Center, 1101 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Maps and directions are at http://www.lib.az.us/carnegie/map.cfm .  Students will be expected to have read the assigned readings before each of the weekend sessions. The weekends will feature guest lecturers, small-group work, field trips, and other learning activities.

There will be notes, readings, discussion groups, and (of course) assignments posted to our d2l (desire to learn) course space. Enrolled students will be given access when the semester begins. d2l is used as the instructional and course management environment. Students will be able to log in to their d2l account via the Learning Technologies Center E-Learning Portal.

The course will start a few days after the start of the semester. The d2l software can detect when students log on, and when most of the students have shown that they are present by logging on, the instructor will get the course underway. At that time, you will be able to (and are encouraged to) read additional information about the assignments and other course materials.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

The main goal of the course is to become familiar with the concepts and practices of bibliographic and non-bibliographic information organization. By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

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REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

·  Taylor, Arlene. 2004. The Organization of Information. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

·  Coleman, Anita. 2004. Guide to Selecting and Cataloging Quality WWW Resources for the Small Library. Fairfield, CA: LRACCC.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must buy the Guide from the UA Bookstore to get a discounted price. This guide is needed for completing assignments. I only recently placed the order for the Coleman textbook, so the Bookstore may not have it available till the end of August, but do not be alarmed because the assignment is not due until October.

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The course requirements are engaged attendance, thoughtful discussion, completed assignments turned in on time, and participation in field trips during our weekends in Phoenix.

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COURSE POLICIES

Academic Code of Integrity

Students are expected to abide by The University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity. 'The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own.' If you have any questions regarding what is acceptable practice under this Code, please ask an Instructor.

Accommodating Disabilities

The University has a Disability Resource Center . If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center and request that the DRC send me, the Instructor, official notification of your accommodation needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.

Assignment Policies

Incompletes

The 1997-8 University of Arizona General Academic Manual, p.23 reads

The grade of I may be awarded only at the end of a semester, when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. The grade of I is not to be awarded when the student is expected to repeat the course; in such a case the grade of E must be assigned. Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incompete grade before the end of the semester ...

If the incomplete is not removed by the instructor within one year the I grade will revert to a failing grade.


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GRADING

Grade Breakdown (501 students):

  1. Exercise 1: 40%
  2. Participation through Discussion/Summaries: 10%
  3. Major Project: 50%
  4. Total: 100%

Grade Breakdown (401 students):

  1. Exercise 1: 40%
  2. Participation through Discussion/Summaries: 10%
  3. Major Project [scaled down version]: 50%
  4. Total: 100%

Assignment of Course Grades:

401/501 Course grades will be assigned as follows:
A=90+ (Superior Work)
B=80-89 (Very Good)
C=70-79 (Marginally Satisfactory)
F=0-69 (Failed to meet requirements)

General grading criteria: (specific criteria will be posted with the assignment descriptions)
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CONTACTING ME

Please raise queries by email. When the course is up and running, and you are a registered student, use the course's internal email. 

There will be an online office hour, during which I will be available in a chatroom or via email. This will be at a time to suit you students, possibly one  evening a week at 7pm MST.

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