LIS 704 03 - Dominican University
LIS 704 03 - Dominican University
LIS 704 03 - Dominican University
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DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY<br />
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE<br />
<strong>LIS</strong> <strong>704</strong> Reference & Online Services<br />
Fall 2011<br />
Mary Pat Fallon, Assistant Professor<br />
(708) 524-6602<br />
Crown 334<br />
mpfallon@dom.edu<br />
Office hours: W/Th 4-5<br />
and by appointment<br />
Course Description:<br />
An introduction to effective reference service in an electronic age. The course deals with the selection,<br />
evaluation and use of general reference sources in both hard copy (print) and digital formats; nature<br />
development, functions and management of reference and online services; the reference interview;<br />
concepts principles and problems of online bibliographic organization and control. Prerequisite or corequisite:701<br />
Learning Objectives<br />
To develop an understanding of the philosophy of reference service and the dynamics of the<br />
reference process in various environments.<br />
To develop the expertise and judgment necessary to select materials to meet the diverse<br />
information needs of users.<br />
To know the function and arrangement of several types of reference works regardless of format,<br />
through physical inspection, reading, and use.<br />
To achieve the ability to analyze information queries and to establish logical manual and<br />
computerized search strategies for the successful fulfillment of users’ needs.<br />
To achieve the basic skills required for online searching using online databases and the Internet.<br />
To develop bibliographic instruction skills.<br />
To become aware of and develop informed opinions on issues and trends which have an impact<br />
on libraries and information provision.<br />
Textbook:<br />
Reference & Information Services in the 21st Century by Kay Ann Cassell and Uma Hiremath. Neal<br />
Schuman Publishers, 2nd edition Revised, 2011.<br />
General Requirements: 25%<br />
Students are expected to participate in discussions and class activities. You are expected to have read<br />
the assigned material and come to class prepared to discuss and critique these readings.
Postings for readings (chapters and articles) must be placed on the class wiki before 4:00 pm on the<br />
assigned date. Postings should include a reaction (not a summary) to some of the main ideas presented<br />
in the assigned readings.<br />
If you have questions pertaining to the readings, please post them at the end of your response. We will<br />
use these postings for discussion purposes during class time. You are always encouraged to bring<br />
additional literature to the attention of the class.<br />
Students are expected to attend all classes. Habitual lateness and/or absences will affect your class<br />
participation grade. Infrequent class participation will substantially lower your overall grade for this<br />
course.<br />
Service Reports: 20%<br />
Write three reports analyzing the type of service you receive from a non-library setting, bricks and<br />
mortar library, and electronic reference.<br />
Each report deals with a single current incident - but should identify multiple factors contributing to an<br />
evaluation of service as good or bad.<br />
Refer to class readings when writing your reports.<br />
In-class assignments: 25% Due: Throughout the semester<br />
These exercises will take place in class. Class work cannot be made up outside of class. Assignments<br />
include: Periodical Assessment & Review, Ready Reference, Business and Current Events, Library &<br />
Information Science sources, Health & Psychology Sources, Facts and Stats, Boolean Searching, Review<br />
Sources, etc.<br />
Subject Guide: 30%<br />
Create an online research guide that will serve the information needs of an undergraduate/ graduate<br />
researcher.<br />
Imagine that you are a reference librarian and a user asks for help with finding good resources in your<br />
subject area. Referring the user to the guide that you created should answer many of the questions that<br />
he/she might pose about a topic.<br />
Academic Honesty:
"All students of the GS<strong>LIS</strong> are expected to observe high standards of academic honesty and integrity. Any student<br />
whose conduct violates such standards may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by due process." (GS<strong>LIS</strong><br />
Bulletin)<br />
Plagiarism is unethical and unprofessional and will result in project failure. Each student is responsible for<br />
understanding what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.<br />
<strong>Dominican</strong> <strong>University</strong> Bulletin 2010-2012: definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and academic dishonesty p. 29<br />
GS<strong>LIS</strong> DOMINICAN GRADING POLICY (Effective 12/15/2004)<br />
Grade Numeric Definition<br />
Equivalent<br />
A 4.0 Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the<br />
course materials and evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far<br />
surpasses course expectations; nearly flawless work.<br />
A- 3.67 Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of<br />
the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all<br />
requirements in a superior manner.<br />
B+ 3.33 Good solid work. Student demonstrates strong comprehension of the course<br />
materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course<br />
syllabus.<br />
B 3.0 Satisfactory acceptable work. Student performance meets designated course<br />
expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials and performs at<br />
an acceptable level.<br />
B- 2.67 Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete, substandard<br />
understanding of course materials, or absence of required work; indicates danger of<br />
falling below acceptable grading standard.<br />
C+ 2.33 Unsatisfactory work. Student performance demonstrates unsatisfactory<br />
understanding of course materials and inability to meet course requirements.<br />
C 2.0 Unacceptable work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete and<br />
inadequate understanding of course materials.<br />
C- 1.67 Poor work.<br />
F 0.0 Failing grade.<br />
8/30/11