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Contact Information Requirements Policies |
SyllabusSLIS 5223 Fall 2011See the Course Schedule for Contact Information
*Use the Blackboard Discussion and Mail tools for all course-related communication. Course DescriptionCatalog DescriptionRepresentation, organization and retrieval of networked information resources (NIR) using various forms of metadata. Examination and evaluation of key metadata schemes for representing and organizing NIR. Identification and use of metadata creation tools to build and manage metadata repositories. Explore implications for retrieval of NIR through search engines that exploit metadata. Additional DescriptionThis course investigates the representation, organization, and retrieval of networked information resources (NIR) using various forms of metadata. Students will examine, analyze, and evaluate key metadata schemes (e.g., Dublin Core) and their use in actual projects for representing and organizing NIR. Course activities include hands-on use and evaluation of metadata schemes and creation tools. To explore the implications for retrieval of networked resources, the course includes the examination of digital repositories/libraries for storing objects, their associated metadata, and making those objects and metadata searchable. This course is appropriate for senior Master's students and Ph.D. students. Students should have substantial computer experience. Students must be able to work independently and in project teams. Students are required to attend and complete all two days of classes during the SLIS 5223 onsite meeting which will be held in Denton, Texas, Saturday, October 1 through Sunday, October 2, 2011. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the course. The onsite meeting is intended to share the output from work you do in the first five weeks of the course and to prepare everyone for subsequent course work and assignments. |
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Goals and ObjectivesThe three primary goals for this course are for students to:
By the end of the course, students will have accomplished these objectives:
[Top] PrerequisitesSLIS 5200 or consent of instructor. Strongly suggested: SLIS 5711, 5714. Course FormatThis is a blended course. Students are required to attend a two-day onsite meeting that will occur over the weekend of Saturday, October 1 through Sunday, October 2, 2011 in Denton, Texas. All other course interaction will occur via Blackboard, UNT's online learning management system. The online learning management system course site provides a central focus for class communications, online course materials, and learning modules. Students will need web access to use the learning management system. As a registered student in the class, you can access the Blackboard course site on the first class day of the semester, Thursday, August 25, 2011. Online Communications Protocol
[Top] RequirementsReadingsThere is no required textbook for this course. There are required readings associated with the course lectures (see Learning Modules). These readings are from the scholarly and professional literature. Almost all of these required readings are available online. In addition, the instructor has put together a SLIS 5223 Metadata Resources List document that includes resources beyond the required readings. Students are expected to go beyond the required readings as part of their fulfillment of course requirements and assignments. Style ManualsIn written reports, students are required to cite sources according to the format rules in the APA style manual:
Style manuals are available in the reference sections of university bookstores, many mainstream bookstores, and university libraries. Excerpts and examples from APA Publication Manual are also available online at:
[Top] TechnologyReliable Internet access is required. You should have at least two different web browsers installed on your computer. Browsers may interact differently with different web resources. Therefore, please make sure you have current versions of the following installed on your computer for this class:
You are free to also use Chrome, Safari, Opera, etc., but Firefox and IE are required. It may be necessary to upgrade your computer system to work well with the Blackboard system, and high-speed Internet access is recommended. In addition to computer hardware running Microsoft Windows as an operating system, you will need Microsoft Office, especially Word, or be able to submit documents in Word .doc or .docx formats. Any additional software required for the course will be freely available, HOWEVER, we assume all students have access to a computing running a Microsoft Windows operating system. You may also need to install one or more pieces of Microsoft Windows compatible software (provided at no cost) on your computer for completing work related to the course. To access course materials, you must have latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your system. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free. To download, go to Adobe Acrobat Reader. [Top] Major AssignmentsYou will have to complete four assignments as part of this course. Details about each of these assignments are contained in documents in the Assignments area on the course site. Metadata Research PaperThis assignment gives you an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts, metadata schemes, current technologies, and projects related to metadata. You will report the results of your research in a paper and do an in-class presentation on the topic during the onsite meeting in October. The instructor will provide a list of Metadata Research Topics suitable for this assignment during the first week of class. You may discuss with me topics not on the list, but the topic needs to be assigned/agreed to by August 31st. Your paper will be posted on the Blackboard Vista course site for other students to use in their learning about these topics. The assignment is worth 25% of the final course grade. Creating Metadata RecordsThis assignment requires you to create metadata records for a set of resources. This assignment provides the opportunity to create different representations of objects using three metadata schemes. The resources that you will work with will be selected from those listed in SLIS 5223 Metadata Resources List . You will be assigned a set of three resources and will produce complete metadata records for the objects, plus a writeup with your reflections on the work of creating the records. The assignment is worth 25% of the final course grade. Digital Repository Research PaperThis assignment gives you an opportunity to research and explore a digital repository and develop a better understanding of how repositories work, how they are used, and who uses them. You will document the results of your research in a short technical report. Your report will be posted on the Blackboard Vista course site for other students to use in their learning about digital repositories. The assignment is worth 25% of the final course grade. DSpace Hands-On AssignmentThis assignment provides an opportunity for some hands-on work with a metadata-driven digital repository. We will explore an instance of a repository using DSpace, an open source digital repository application. The assignment is worth 10% of the final course grade. [Top] Effort ExpectedStudents can expect to work approximately 3 to 4 hours per week for each credit hour. This is a 3-credit course, and students should plan to spend approximately 9 to 12 hours a week for readings, assignments, online activities, learning software, etc. By maintaining this level of effort throughout the semester, students are likely to be successful in the course. In addition, this effort will help students develop full comprehension of the subject matter. The weekend onsite meeting in Denton, Texas, will consist of approximately 15 hours over the two days. [Top] GradingGrade Distribution
Eighty-five percent of the final course grade will be based on the four major assignments. Additional 15% of the final course grade will be earned through active course participation. Grades indicate the degree to which a student completes assignments according to stated requirements. Grades are determined on a 100-point scale (90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59 and beyond = F). The grade of A signifies superior work beyond basic requirements of the course, B signifies adequate work in response to the requirements, and C signifies that work does not meet the basic requirements. ParticipationParticipation is a requirement in this class, and constitutes 15% of the final course grade. This includes both online and onsite categories of participation. Attendance at the onsite meeting in Denton is required; students must be present for all hours of the onsite meeting to be allowed to continue in the class. Online participation includes a post to Who I Am discussion board, six (6) discussion posts to Learning Modles Topics boards throughout the semester, participation in weeekly chats etc. Due DatesTo facilitate timely grading, all assignments must be submitted on time. One-half grade (i.e., 5 points out of 100) will be deducted for each day an assignment is late (i.e., not submitted at the date/time specified). For example, the grade for an assignment that deserves 98/100 (A+) if submitted on-time, will be reduced to 78/100 (C+) if the assignment is submitted 4 days after the due date (98 - 5 X 4= 78). An exception can be made if a student absolutely cannot meet the deadline AND notifies the instructor before the due date. Written reportsBoth the substantive content of written reports and the quality of the writing will be considered. Substantive content includes completeness and adherence to the assignment, knowledge of appropriate concepts, strong supporting material, and reasonable conclusions or solutions. Quality of writing covers organization and clarity of expression, appropriate use of references, and correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. References must be made in APA style (see above). Up to one-half grade (i.e. up to 5 points out of 100) will be deducted for inaccurate references. Extra creditNo assignments for extra credit will be made under any circumstances. A student who is having trouble with regular assignments is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor as early as possible for personal advising. IncompleteThe UNT Graduate Catalog describes and explains grading policies. In Fall 2011 semester, the grade of Incomplete (I) can be requested no earlier than November 10. A grade of Incomplete (I) will be given only for a justifiable reason and only if the student is passing the course. The student is responsible for contacting the instructor to request a grade of Incomplete (I) and discuss requirements for completing the course. If a grade of Incomplete (I) is not removed within the time frame agreed to by instructor and student, the student may be assigned a grade of Fail (F). WithdrawalThe UNT Graduate Catalog describes and explains withdrawal policies and deadlines. The UNT semester course schedule lists specific deadlines regarding withdrawal. October 4, 2011, is the last day to withdraw froma course with an automatic grade of Withdraw (W). October 28, 2011, is the last day to drop a course with a grade of Withdraw (W) or Withdraw-Failing (WF). A grade of W or WF will be decided by instructor depending on a student's attendance record and grade earned. Please note that a student who simply stops attending class and does not file a withdrawal form may receive a final course grade of F (Fail). [Top] PoliciesADA AccommodationIf you have a disability and require accommodation under the terms of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you must present a written accommodation request to the instructor by the end of the first week of the course. You should submit a request even if it is possible that accommodation may not be necessary later in the semester. You should register with the UNT Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA; http://www.unt.edu/oda/ or 940-565-4323), which provides many kinds of support services. Procedures are explained in the Disability Accommodation Policy in the UNT Policy Manual (http://www.unt.edu/policy/UNT_Policy/volume3/18_1_14.html) Academic MisconductAcademic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism and other unethical and illegal activities. Penalties range from reducing the grade for a test or assignment to revoking an academic degree already granted. Specific policies, penalties, and the appeals process are explained in UNT's Graduate Catalog, the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline, and the Policy Manual, all of which are available online. In addition, the Department of Library and Information Sciences adopted an Academic Misconduct Policy, and it provides additional information about the Department's policy. The instructor of this course abides by and enforces the LIS and UNT policies on academic misconduct. Students should be particularly aware of the risks of plagiarism. A copy of Department's Academic Misconduct Policy is available in Syllabus and Schedule section of the course content page. PlagiarismThe instructor has a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious violation of the policies of University of North Texas and the Department of Library and Information Sciences. The instructor assumes you have read and understood the SLIS Academic Misconduct policy if you continue past the first week of the course. Penalties for PlagiarismPlagiarism is illegal, unethical, and unacceptable. Any instances of plagiarism in student work will result in the following penalties:
Any instances of plagiarism is also reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities, which can impose additional penalties including suspension from UNT. [Top] Electronic TrackingBlackboard Vista enables instructors to track the times of students' first and last logins, number of postings, and visits to certain areas. This information will be used in determining students' grades for course participation, which constitutes 15% of the final course grade. ConductInstructors and students are expected to be engaged with the course throughout the semester. The instructor will be available during office hours, by appointment, and online via the learning management system. If students are assigned to work in groups for an assignment, they are to rely on each other to meet deadlines and do their fair share of the work. A student who is falling behind or intends to withdraw from the course is expected to inform his/her teammates so they can work out alternatives. In class discussions and group assignments, both onsite and online, instructors and students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior. This means interacting in a supportive and tactful manner based on mutual respect for each other's ideas and approaches. [Top] Important Notice for F-1 Students Taking Distance Education CoursesFederal RegulationTo read detailed Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations for F-1 students taking online courses, please go to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations website at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov. The specific portion concerning distance education courses is located at "Title 8 CFR 214.2 Paragraph (f)(6)(i)(G) and can be found buried within this document: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=8&PART=214&SECTION=2&TYPE=TEXT. The paragraph reads: (G) For F1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken on-line or through distance education and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An on-line or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. If the F1 student's course of study is in a language study program, no on-line or distance education classes may be considered to count toward a student's full course of study requirement. A Final Rule with clarifications on the restriction can be found at:http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/factsheets/0212FINALRU_FS.htm.
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