Seminar in Information Science - RDA
INFO 287

Dr. Sylvia Hall-Ellis
E-mail
Other contact information: 720-387-6585 (mobile)
Office location: virtual office (Zoom)
Office Hours: arranged by appointment

This 1-unit course runs from February 1st - March 1st.

Application of cataloging and organization of information principles in Resource Description and Access (RDA) to multi- and hypermedia resources, evolving standards for representation of nontraditional networked information, and cataloging policy development (SJSU Official Description). This course provides an overview of access points according to the principles and framework in Resource Description and Access (RDA). This course provides an overview of the identification and assignment of access points for print, non-print, and electronic materials using authority files and locally created points of access. Focuses on the challenges of bibliographic database building and maintenance as the community of practice interacts with the new cataloging rules and data sharing environment. (Prerequisites: INFO 202 & 248 or equivalent experience)

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities. It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class and debate in a mature and respectful manner. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited. Disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position. In accordance with San José State University's Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Course Workload

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group; contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes) Supported

INFO 287 supports the following core competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Gain the ability to perform original cataloging for both print and electronic resources, integrating resources, sound recordings, videos, and other selected non-print resources.
2. Create personal name and corporate body access points according to national cataloging guidelines.
3. Become more efficient in applying RDA rules to create and enhance bibliographic records for print, non-print, and electronic materials.
4. Discuss current developments and possible future directions in cataloging.
5. Gain the ability to evaluate cataloging operations to provide efficient solutions to issues and problems.

Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

• Brenndorfer, T. (2016). RDA essentials. ALA. Available through Amazon: 0838913288

• Moulaison, H., & Wiechert, R. (2015). Crash course in basic cataloging with RDA. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1440837767

Late Assignments

Students are expected to meet deadlines for assignments or class projects. Late assignments will not be accepted. If you have an illness (medical certificate supplied) or a family tragedy, please contact the instructor. Incomplete grades will not be granted except in extraordinary circumstances. Supporting documentation will be required in cases of medical or health emergencies.

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

• C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
• B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA);
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Per University Policy S16-9 (PDF), relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on the Syllabus Information web page. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these university policies and resources.