LBSC690: Syllabus

Textbook

Discovering Computers 2007: A Gateway to Information
Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman, Misty E. Vermaat
Course Technology
ISBN:1-4188-4370-9

Course Description

Introduction to the application of computer hardware, software, and information systems for the provision of information services. Special emphasis on the design of systems for serving information needs.

Course Goals

• Understand the role of information technology in libraries, archives, schools, information centers, and society.
• Evaluate the suitability of various technologies to serve a range of information needs.
• Become familiar with common information management tools.
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• Apply information technology to solve a practical problem.
• Develop techniques for further study of information technology.

Class Organization

Much of this course is organized into two-week blocks, each focusing on a particular topic. The first session of each block will be primarily devoted to building fundamental concepts, where emphasis is placed on ideas. These sessions will be conducted along a more traditional lecture format, although structured discussions will be integrated at appropriate junctures. The second session of each block will be devoted to technology presentations. The purpose of each technology presentation is to help you acquire the necessary skills in applying information technology to solve real world problems. Each technology presentation will consists of demos and hands-on lab exercises that complement the concepts introduced in the previous session.

Summary of Grading

Homeworks

There will be a total of five homework assignments due throughout the semester. Together, they are worth 20% of your final grade. Homeworks are designed to help you learn the material, so please use them for that! You are allowed to collaborate with others (as many people as you'd like), but you must turn in your own assignment. For example, you could work together in a group, but each person must write up their solutions individually.

All completed assignments will be posted on the Web, on your homepage. At the end of the semester, you'll have a complete record of your accomplishments (a Web portfolio). For the first assignment, please email me the URL of your homepage. For convenience, you are encouraged to use your WAM account to host your files.

Exams

There will be two exams, a midterm and a final.

• The midterm will be a take-home exam. At a set time, I will post the exam online. You may download the questions and take the exam any time during the weekend. There will be a time limit on the exam; answers will be submitted via email. I expected everyone to abide by an honor code. More details will be posted as the exam date nears.
• The final exam will be similar in setup to the midterm, and the exam will be cumulative.

Both exams together will be worth 35% of your final grade. The higher of the two will be weighted more heavily (20%); the other will be weigthed less (15%).

Final Project

See separate page for the final project.

Class Participation

Each class is critical to your learning experience, and I expect you to come to class prepared (having read all assigned readings, ready to engage). I also expect active participation, not passive reception to the material. Your energy in contributing to class discussions and hands-on exercises will make this class an enjoyable experience for all of us. Class participation is worth 10% of your total grade. In the beginning, everyone starts out with five points (out of a total of ten). Depending on the factors discussed above, this total may go up or down.

Academic Integrity