Course Syllabus Template
- Course Name, Number, and Prerequisites
- Course Description
- Course Objectives
- Required Course Materials
- Course Requirements
- Course Policies
- Grading
- Contacting the Instructor
Summer 2005 Instructor: Elizabeth Martinez
COURSE NAME, NUMBER, AND PREREQUISITES
IRLS 588-002
National Information Policy & Cultural Perspectives
July 5-9; 9:30 am – 5 pm
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine library information policy issues from cultural perspectives, an increasing interest as the nation becomes more diverse with immigrants from around the world, and indigenous groups gain influence. For example, the library profession supports the principle of intellectual freedom and open access to information, a policy that is not common in many cultures around the world. The library principle of intellectual property rights is contrary to that of many indigenous people regarding their own information.
1. Leadership & Information Policy: Who are the players? The issues? How is policy determined and by whom? What is at stake? What are the cultural perspectives?
2. The Public Interest: User rights. Virtual communities. Diverse cultural communities. Netizens. Who is the public? How do we manage competing public interests?
3. The Internet & WIRED Voices: Local and national politics. Filtering, and the protection of children. Trends. Where are the cultural perspectives?
4. The Economy of Information & Ethical Issues: What is the price of information? How does society determine the value of information? What is equitable access? What are the consequences of diverse information policies?
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will:
- Acquire a basic understanding of current national information policy issues and cultural perspectives.
- Become knowledgeable about the players, stakeholders, organizations, and resources.
- Discuss the importance of national information policy to local libraries.
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REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
ALAWON, Washington Office, American Library Association (ALA)
COYLES INFORMATION HIGHWAY HANDBOOK; A Practical File on the New Information Order, American Library Association, 2001. This is good background on librarians and current national information policy.
See: Ethnic Caucuses of the ALA
First Monday , www.firstmonday.org
Office of Information Technology Policy (OITP), ALA.
WIRED magazine; see January to June 2005.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Assignment 1
As a group 2 students, select and research one of the following policy groups. Identify the players, stakeholders, priority issues, funding sources, Board members, and any common ground with librarians. Include information from the required resources.
Present the research and findings to the class on Wednesday, July 7 (20 minutes).
- Discuss the background of the policy organization;
- Identify players, stakeholders, and priority issues;
- Identify funding sources, Board members, and area of influence;
- Recommend how librarians can partner (or not) with the organization.
- The Tomas Rivera Policy Institute.
- The Long Now Foundation.
- The Electronic Frontier Foundation.
- (AM org)
- (AA org)
- (Asian org)
- (youth)
Assignment 2
As a group of 2 students, select and research a current library information policy from a specific cultural perspective. Suggested topics include (1) intellectual freedom, (2) copyright and fair use, (3) the Internet & filtering, (4) intellectual property, and (5) free access to information.
Include the following:
- History of how the policy became a professional issue, the players, and stakeholders;
- Background on how the policy has been implemented, and why it is important to the profession;
- Identify the cultural perspectives and how they are considered;
- Interview 2 librarians for their professional opinions on the topic
Present the research and findings to the class on Friday July 9 (20 minutes).
- Discussion of the issue, players, and positions;
- Interviews with 2 librarians to seek their professional opinions;
- Group opinions based on your research, interviews and experience;
- Recommend how librarians can address the cultural perspectives.
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COURSE POLICIES
Academic Code of Integrity
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.