Course Syllabus

You can print or download a PDF version of this syllabus.

1. Course overview and objectives
The course provides an introduction to the field of School Library Media (SLM) and information management. The course examines librarianship as a profession, the role of school librarians and their contributions to the curriculum, school library media standards, the library and its extended contents, cataloging and classification, the reference process, library center management, library advocacy, information ethics, and budgeting and grant writing.

After completing this course you will be able to:

• understand the role and importance of a school library media specialist
• identify the tasks needed in the management of a school library media center
• list school library media professional organizations and important conferences
• locate and share information
• organize a library and its contents
• conduct a reference interview
• advocate for your profession and your library
• collaborate with teachers and school administrators
• define the tasks needed in the management of program resources
• use the information seeking models in your work
• analyze and write a school library media budget

2. Course materials
The following textbook is required for this class:

American Association of School, L. (2009). Empowering learners : guidelines for school library media programs. Chicago, Ill.: American Association of School Librarians. ISBN 978-0-8389-8519-9.

If you are serious about becoming a school librarian you might also want to get the following text for background reading. This book will be required for INST5040/6040 so you may consider getting it now. Administering the School Library Media Center (Fifth Edition) / Betty J. Morris. Hardcover: ISBN 978-1-59158-685-2; Paperback: ISBN 978-1-59158-689-0.

All other materials can be found on the online learning management system called Canvas: http://online.usu.edu (login with your A# and password).

3. Assessment
This course is designed to introduce the field of School Library Media as well as information management and we will cover many different topics over the course of the semester. The assignments for this course are intended to facilitate learning in these different areas in by allowing you to a) explore what information literacy means, b) learn your way around the Dewey Decimal Classification system, c) create an online lesson plan incorporating the Big6 model, d) discuss what you have learned in class and your readings with fellow students, and e) present and talk coherently about a selected SLM topic.

Discussion and additional postings are due by midnight the day before the next class to facilitate a lively exchange of information during each week on the topic for that week. Everybody posts once and responds at least twice to other students. These posts and responses are part of your final grade. Please realize that with your participation in this class you are contributing to your fellow students’ learning as well as your own.

See also section 4.6 on grading.

4. Course policies
4.1 Our classroom
To make learning worthwhile for you and others in our INST5000/6060 learning community it is important that you actively engage with your fellow students, your teacher, and the materials presented both inside and outside of class.

A prerequisite to student learning is a classroom in which students feel comfortable. This comfort has to be achieved at multiple levels: students need to be comfortable with their peers and their professor and the material needs to be presented in a non-intimidating manner with an understanding of the students’ existing expertise.  Students are welcome to come to me with problems and questions and are always treated with respect. You can reach me through various channels of communication including email and in person.  I encourage students to ask questions in class, email, or on Canvas and to take charge of their own learning.

In our classroom we do not harass or discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, veteran status, or marital or parental status; the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability or handicap; nor for any other reason.

4.2. The Honor System
Each student has the right and duty to pursue his or her academic experience free of dishonesty. The Honor System is designed to establish the higher level of conduct expected and required of all Utah State University students.

The Honor Pledge: To enhance the learning environment at Utah State University and to develop student academic integrity, each student agrees to the following Honor Pledge: "I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity." A student who lives by the Honor Pledge is a student who does more than not cheat, falsify, or plagiarize.

A student who lives by the Honor Pledge:

• Espouses academic integrity as an underlying and essential principle of the Utah State University community;
• Understands that each act of academic dishonesty devalues every degree that is awarded by this institution; and
• Is a welcomed and valued member of Utah State University.

 (See Article VI of the student code (University Regulations Regarding Academic Integrity) - http://www.usu.edu/studentservices/pdf/StudentCode.pdf)

4.3. Plagiarism
Plagiarism includes knowingly "representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one's own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged used of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials." The penalties for plagiarism are severe. They include warning or reprimand, grade adjustment, probation, suspension, expulsion, withholding of transcripts, denial or revocation of degrees, and referral to psychological counseling. (See Article VI of the student code (University Regulations Regarding Academic Integrity) - http://www.usu.edu/studentservices/pdf/StudentCode.pdf). Professors in the Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Department are required to officially report ANY case of plagiarism, no exceptions.

4.4. Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is defined by the Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as any "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature." If you feel you are a victim of sexual harassment, you may talk to or file a complaint with the Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Office located in Old Main, Room 161, or call the AA/EEO Office at 797-1266.

4.5. Students with disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act states: "Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all persons with disabilities in order to ensure equal participation within the program. If a student has a disability that will likely require some accommodation by the instructor, the student must contact the instructor and document the disability through the Disability Resource Center (797-2444), preferably during the first week of the course. Any request for special consideration relating to attendance, pedagogy, taking of examinations, etc., must be discussed with and approved by the instructor. In cooperation with the Disability Resource Center, course materials can be provided in alternative format, large print, audio, diskette, or Braille."

4.6. Grading
Your grade will be based on the university grading scale:

Please note that to earn an A- or A grade, the assignment must go beyond the minimum expected in terms of quality (e.g. insight, creativity, analysis, thoroughness, synthesis).

Without exception, plagiarized work results in an F and automatically revokes the opportunity to redo that assignment.

Assignments that are handed in past the due date cannot be redone.

If you wish to discuss a grade, hand in a written explanation of your argument and arrange for a private meeting. Except for unusual circumstances, no appeal for an individual assignment or project will be considered more than two weeks after the graded.

The following course components will contribute to your grade:

4.7. Absence from class
Students are responsible for attending class every week. If students cannot attend class they are required to notify the instructor ahead of time of their expected absence. Students who miss a class have to submit a one-page summary (around 500 words) of the missed class based on the class slides (if available) or notes from fellow classmates. This summary needs to be submitted before the start of the next class.

4.8. Withdrawals and incompletes
USU students are required to complete all courses for which they are registered by the end of the semester. In some cases, a student may be unable to complete all of the coursework because of extenuating circumstances, but not due to poor performance or to retain financial aid. The term 'extenuating' circumstances includes: (1) incapacitating illness which prevents a student from attending classes for a minimum period of two weeks, (2) a death in the immediate family, (3) financial responsibilities requiring a student to alter a work schedule to secure employment, (4) change in work schedule as required by an employer, or (5) other emergencies deemed appropriate by the instructor.

4.9. Grievance process
Students who feel they have been unfairly treated [in matters other than (i) discipline or (ii) admission, residency, employment, traffic, and parking - which are addressed by procedures separate and independent from the Student Code] may file a grievance through the channels and procedures described in the Student Code:
http://www.usu.edu/studentservices/pdf/StudentCode.pdf#Article7 (Article VII. Grievances, pages 25-30).

5. Course schedule
Note: the course schedule is subject to change, that is, it is a plan rather than a contract. Check Canvas for the latest updates and changes.

Also note: the course schedule contains general information about class dates, and assignment due dates.
For complete information check the weekly Course Modules on Canvas.

6. Assignments