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Last revised 9/10/05 being revised now

Course Syllabus for Issues in Information Resources: Online Searching (IRLS 588 - 791)

Link to Course Outline

Fall 2005 Instructor: Peter L. Kraus, MLS



COURSE NAME, NUMBER, AND PREREQUISITES

Issues in Information Resources: Online Searching (IRLS 588 - 791)
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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will examine the history, philosophy, and applied fundamentals of online searching.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES

It is the instructor's goal that student will learn the fundamentals of database design and Boolean searching so that they may use current databases swiftly, efficiently, and effectively to meet users’ needs. The core principles learned in this class will enable the student to use current databases and future databases.
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REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

You do not need to purchase any texts for this class. All readings will be supplied by the instructor. The core text for this class is the Dialog Lab Workbook (DLW) available at http://gep.dialog.com/instruction/workbook/.

Book(s) on Reserve at The University of Arizona Library:

Online Searching: A Scientist’s Perspective A Guide for the Chemical and Life Sciences, (John Wiley & Sons, 1996)

Straight from the Stacks: A Firsthand Guide to Careers in Library & Information Science (ALA, 2003)

Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (Volume 35: 2001)

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COURSE POLICIES

Academic Code of Integrity

Students are expected to abide by The University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity. 'The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own.' If you have any questions regarding what is acceptable practice under this Code, please ask an Instructor.

Accommodating Disabilities

The University has a Disability Resource Center . If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center and request that the DRC send me, the Instructor, official notification of your accommodation needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.

Assignment Policies

There will be a paper assigned each week in conjunction with the readings. Each paper should be three to five pages unless otherwise noted. American Psychological Association (APA) format citation should be used for any works cited.

Some very good web sites for APA are:  (http://www.library.arizona.edu/library/type1/tips/data/citation.html OR http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html )

You have until December 11, 2005 to get all papers to me. I know this an online course and a number of you are working full time and going to school. I expect you to keep up with the readings and get your papers to me in a timely manner.

DO NOT use my generosity with due dates to put work off until the last minute. Last-minute work is generally very poor in quality and will be graded so by the instructor.

 

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GRADING

Grades will be calculated by the following formula:  Class participation in online discussions: 20%; Weekly assignments: 65 %; Final exam 15%

Incompletes

The 1997-8 University of Arizona General Academic Manual, p.23 reads

The grade of I may be awarded only at the end of a semester, when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. The grade of I is not to be awarded when the student is expected to repeat the course; in such a case the grade of E must be assigned. Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incompete grade before the end of the semester ...

If the incomplete is not removed by the instructor within one year the I grade will revert to a failing grade.


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CONTACTING ME

kraus@xmission.com Tel: 801-832-0476 (Home number, Mountain Time).

If you need to talk feel free to call 6:00-10:00 pm Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday, Noon to 6:00 pm Sunday. If I'm not home, feel free to leave a voice-mail message, I will return your call.

 


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