LIBR 541: Subject Based Information Services – Course Syllabus
Program : Master
of Library and Information Studies
Year : Winter
Session 2005-2006, Term 1
Course Schedule :
Wednesday, 9:00am – 12:00 noon
Location :
Koerner Library, Room 216
Instructor : Catherine
Collins
Office Location :
TEF, Room 321
Office phone : 604-822-2404 (please
leave message)
E-mail address : catcoll@interchange.ubc.ca
Course Goal : To build upon the core course in reference and information by identifying information seeking behaviour and research practise within specific subject disciplines. To apply this knowledge in the performance of subject-based reference and information services.
Course Objectives : At the completion of this course students will be able to:
- Appreciate current trends in scholarly communication and research practise,
- Identify the information needs and information seeking behaviour within subject disciplines,
- Understand the structure of a variety of subject literatures,
- Develop a familiarity with the major print and electronic information sources for subject fields in the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences,
- Improve expertise with search strategies
- Produce clear and attractive pathfinders to aid in the effective use of information sources,
- Develop an understanding of the issues pertaining to subject-based reference and information services
Course Topics :
- Trends in scholarly communication and research processes,
- Information seeking behaviour for research in various subject disciplines,
- The reference interview and search strategies for research in various subject areas
- Major information sources in the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences
- Technological changes in reference and information services
Prerequisites and/or Course Restrictions : LIBR 500, LIBR 510, LIBR 540, and LIBR 560. Limited to students in the MLIS program unless permission granted by SLAIS Graduate Advisor.
Format of the course : Multiple formats will be used including; lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and small group work. There will be guest speakers for some subject areas.
Required and Recommended Reading : Required readings are on reserve in the Koerner Library, SLAIS, or available full-text via UBC E-Journals. Purchase of the course Sourcebook from the SLAIS office is highly recommended.
Course Assignments, Due Dates and Weight in relation to final course mark:
Reference Research Plan |
Due as assigned |
60% |
Pathfinder |
November 30, 2005 |
30% |
Preparation & Participation |
Due as assigned |
10% |
Course Schedule:
Sept. 7: |
Introduction to the course; Research and the library |
Sept. 14: |
Resources in the Humanities; Scholarly communication and publishing |
Sept. 21: |
Resources in the Humanities;
|
Sept. 28: |
Resources in the Humanities;
|
Oct. 5: |
Resources in the Humanities;
|
Oct. 12: |
Resources in the Social Sciences;
|
Oct. 19: |
Resources in the Social Sciences;
|
Oct. 26: |
Resources in the Social Sciences;
|
Nov. 2: |
Resources in the Social Sciences;
|
Nov. 9: |
Resources in the Science and
Technology; |
Nov. 16: |
Resources in the Science and
Technology; |
Nov. 23: |
Resources in the Science and
Technology; |
Nov. 30: |
Review; |
Attendance: The calendar states: “Regular attendance is expected of students in all their classes (including lectures, laboratories, tutorials, seminars, etc.). Students who neglect their academic work and assignments may be excluded from the final examinations. Students who are unavoidably absent because of illness or disability should report to their instructors on return to classes.”
The University accommodates students with disabilities who have registered with the Disability Resource Centre. The University accommodates students whose religious obligations conflict with attendance, submitting assignments, or completing scheduled tests and examinations. Please let your instructor know in advance, preferably in the first week of class, if you will require any accommodation on these grounds. Students who plan to be absent for varsity athletics, family obligations, or other similar commitments, cannot assume they will be accommodated, and should discuss their commitments with the instructor before the drop date.
For this class, regular, on-time class attendance is expected. If you know in advance that you will miss or be late for a class, please inform the instructor by email, or contact the SLAIS Main Office by fax, email, or telephone. There will be no final examination for this class, so absence or tardiness from two or more class sessions may result in failure, or a lower course grade.
Class participation will count for 10% of the total grade and is an important grading component. Participation will be mainly based on preparation of assigned readings, discussions of assigned reference research plans and evaluations, although class attendance will be considered (since of one does not attend class, one cannot participate in discussion).
Academic Dishonesty : Please review the UBC Calendar “Academic regulations” for the university policy on cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty. Also, visit www.arts.ubc.ca and go to the students’ section for useful information on avoiding plagiarism and on correct documentation.
Evaluation : Will be based on plans prepared for reference research questions, group preparation and presentation of an electronic pathfinder, and participation in discussion. All assignments will be awarded letter grades using the evaluative criteria given on the SLAIS web site.
At the discretion of the instructor, any assignment that is handed in containing plagiarized material, or other academic dishonesty may receive a grade of F. Please do not be late with class assignments. Late assignments are unacceptable unless arrangements are made with the instructor at least 24 hours prior to their deadline. Incomplete assignments will result in a lower grade for the assignment.
Written & Spoken English Requirement : Written and spoken work may receive a lower mark if it is, in the opinion of the instructor, deficient in English.
Other Course Policies as Relevant : Please be sure to sign up for the class discussion list for announcements and additional comments regarding assignments and class meetings.
To sign up for class discussion list send an email message to: majordomo@interchange.ubc.ca
In the body of the message write:
subscribe l-541
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