UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
SLIS 5640
INFORMATION AND ACCESS SERVICES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
SUMMER I, 1998
Professor: Yvonne J. Chandler

Office: Rm. 217B Phone (Home): 566-4830 Phone (School) 565-3777  

COURSE CALENDAR	INTRODUCTION TO THE       COURSE
COURSE DESCRIPTION	PATHFINDER PROJECT
COURSE GOALS	PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
COURSE OBJECTIVES	STATEMENT ON ADA       COMPLIANCE
DATABASE SEARCHING       PASSWORDS	SYLLABUS
GRADING POLICY	TEXTBOOK AND READINGS

  Designed and Created by © 1998 Yvonne J. Chandler University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences Send e-mail to: last updated July, 1998

SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Information resources, methods, needs and services in the social sciences. Comparative study of individual fields. Communication patterns and bibliographic organization. Role of professional organizations and government. Representative problems and practice.
 

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the information resources that are used in the social science discipline by scholars and other users. The goal of this course is to equip each student with a knowledge of the basic information sources in the social sciences, to this end, class assignments will be given that require the student to use the library and social science information resources. To lay a foundation for providing reference and information service in social science collections and in all libraries and information centers that may house these resources.
 

COURSE GOALS

This course is designed for students to develop:

1. Knowledge of the structure of the subject literature of the selected disciplines that comprise the social sciences.

2. Knowledge of the historical development and present state of the subject disciplines of the social sciences.

3. Knowledge of the types of sources useful in building collections in the social science discipline in all formats.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, students should know:

1. The basic resources and reference tools essential to research in the social sciences in print and non-print formats including; print, online databases, CD-ROM databases, and Internet resources.

2. The structure of the set of subject disciplines that comprise the social sciences.

3. The sources necessary to provide information services in the social sciences.

4. How the literature of a subject discipline is organized and utilized by scholars and other users.
 

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

STATEMENT ON ADA COMPLIANCE

Any student with a disability that will require accommodation under the terms of federal regulations must present a written accommodation request to the instructor on or before (June 13, 1998). Copies of the School's ADA Compliance Policy -  http://www.unt.edu/oda/oda-facg.htm#Univ, ADA Policy on Auxiliary Aids and Reasonable Accommodation, and ADA Grievance Procedures -  http://www.unt.edu/oda/oda-nond.htm ; are available through the School Office (ISB 205; 817-565-2445). It is also recommended that the student register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (University Union 318-A; 817-565-4323) -  or http://www.unt.edu/oda/index.htm.  For more information see Student With A Disability in the Classroom - A Faculty Guide at http://www.unt.edu/oda/oda-facg.htm 

INDEX

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS

TEXTBOOK REQUIRED READING

Students should complete all reading assignments from the following text.
Nancy L. Herron, editor, The Social Sciences: A Cross-Disciplinary Guide to Selected Sources. 2^nd edition, Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1996.
 
OTHER RECOMMENDED WORKS AND GUIDES

Balay, Robert, ed. Guide to Reference Books - Supplement to the Tenth Edition Covering Materials from 1985-1990. Chicago: American Library Association, 1992. Willis Gen. Ref.

Faries, Cynthia, editor. The Social Sciences: A Cross-Disciplinary Guide to Selected Sources. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1989. Willis Gen. Ref. Z7161.S648 1989

Li, Tze-Chung. Social Science Reference Sources: A Practical Guide. Westport, Conn:Greenwood Press, 1980. Willis Gen. Ref.

Sheehy, Eugene P. Guide to Reference Books. 10th ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 1986. ISB Ref. and Willis Gen. Ref. (Update with Balay)

Walford, A. J. Walford's Concise Guide to Reference Materials, 6th ed. London: The Library Association, 1989. Willis Gen. Ref.

Webb, William H. Sources of Information in the Social Sciences. 3rd. ed. Chicago:American Library Association, 1986. Willis Gen. Ref.; ISB Ref. Z7161.S666 1986

White, Carl M. Sources of Information in the Social Sciences, A Guide to the Literature. Chicago: American Library Association, 1973. Willis Gen. Ref., Gov. Doc. Res., ISB Ref. Z7161.W49 1973

Grades will be based on the scavenger hunt questions, pathfinder, evaluation of indexing and abstracting tool and databases, subject bibliographies and semester project.

The requirements will be graded as follows:

Assignment Percentage

1.    Class Participation   -  10 percent

2.    Scavenger Hunt Questions and Article Summaries  -  20 percent

3.    Evaluation Reports (Indexes, Abstracts, Databases, and Internet Sites)  -  30 percent

4.    Annotated Subject Bibliographies or Pathfinder   -  40 percent

EACH ASSIGNMENT SHOULD BE IN CORRECT BIBLIOGRAPHY FORM. USE:

Turabian, Kate L., a Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th ed. rev. by John Grossman and Alice Bennett. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1996 (Willis Library LB2369 .T8 1996)

OR

Turabian Samples for A Bibliography - http://www.ithaca.edu/library/course/turabian.html
 

ASSIGNMENT I. Scavenger Hunt Questions:
A series of questions will be distributed that will be answered by using the materials covered including print, electronic databases, and Internet sites. These questions are to be turned in by the assigned date. The questions will be returned and discussed at the following class period.

Each assignment will be worth 100 points. The answers must be in a complete bibliographic citation.
 

ASSIGNMENT II. Textbook Chapters and Article Summary:
Students will be assigned readings throughout the semester to read. The assigned readings will be discussed during the assigned class session.

*** Reading Summary Assignment - Find one article discussing users of social science information. Search in the library and information science professional literature. Write a two page summary of the article and be prepared to discuss it in class at the next session. DUE: June 13, 1998
ASSIGNMENT III. Evaluation of Indexing or Abstracting Service:
Each student is to select one PRINT and one ELECTRONIC DATABASE indexing, abstracting or bibliographic service for each of the major subject disciplines in the social sciences, and to turn in an evaluation of the resource each class period as the topic is covered. All papers must be typed or computer printed. Use the checklist attached for the format of the evaluation. For each database include the following information:

SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES TO BE COVERED

ASSIGNMENT IV. Identification and Evaluation of Internet Sites:
Each student is to select one subject area or subset in the social sciences and prepare an Internet bibliography of 15 sites providing information concerning this subject area. For each site the student should provide an annotation describing the primary use, types of information provided, search indexes provided, authority, publisher or creator, its strengths and weaknesses, and any unique features. Each student will select a subject area and share the sites with the class on the day that the subject is discussed. Prepare the bibliography in HTML format for cumulation into an Internet Workbook of Social Science Resources to be published on the UNT/SLIS Student Projects page. Tips on writing in HTML are provided in Assignment V.

INDEX

ASSIGNMENT V. Semester Project  - PATHFINDER
Each student is required to select a subject area or subset area in the social science discipline for the semester project and to prepare a Pathfinder or Annotated Bibliography of the sources for selecting a collection or performing research in that area. The pathfinder must incorporate all relevant resources, databases, selection tools, and vendors of materials in all formats for the subject area. Each Annotated Bibliography/Pathfinder should be prepared in HTML format for mounting on the UNT/SLIS Internet Homepage of student projects for this class.

Each student will present their Annotated Bibliography/Pathfinder to the class on . The student should prepare handouts and/or visual aids for the presentation. Any guides, bibliographies and catalogs can be used for the assignment. If a quote or the annotation is based on a published annotation, please provide a complete citation for the source used.

The final project should include the following information (some subject areas may not have all of these sections):

1.    Introduction

2.    Definition of the subject area, giving the general characteristics of the subject;

3.    Brief background statement on the history of the subject area.

4.    The Pathfinder should describe all of the sources for the subject area or subset and comparatively evaluate each type of source in the annotation. For each identified source be sure to include descriptions of the resources primary use, its strengths and unique features and any weaknesses. Resources in all formats should be identified and described including;

5.    The bibliography/pathfinder should include all the major databases and vendors (if any) in that subject area.

6.    Interdisciplinary sources should also be included and evaluated. Other information sources, such as special libraries, experts or organizations, should also be identified and described.

7.    The projects should include a table of contents, footnotes and bibliography, evidence of proof reading, and attention to grammar and spelling. A style manual or standard method of bibliographic citation should be used for this report. Please indicate the style manual that you select in a note attached to the report. Please be consistent, points will be deducted from your grade if a consistent style is not used.

8.    The pathfinder/bibliography should be prepared in HTML format for publication on the Internet. Help guides for writing in HTML are available on the Internet.
    *  References to HTML resources and tips can be found
              at: http://www.law.vill.edu/~yjones/aall/html.html
        * You can also use Microsoft Frontpage, Microsoft Word 7, or Word Perfect 7 to
               prepare your materials in HTML.
        *   Recommended Style Manuals: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Themes and Dissertations, Turabian's Manual for Writer's of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association and The Chicago Manual of Style.

9.    Examples of pathfinder/bibliography projects compiled by other students can be found at
       http://www.unt.edu/slis/school/faculty/chandler/5640/pathfinders/pathfind.htm

Students should arrange two meetings with the instructor to discuss the possible topic for the semester project-pathfinder and to determine successful progress on the project. Each student will present their project to the class on July 4, 1998. The project is due by July 7, 1998.

SLIS 5640:INFORMATION AND ACCESS SERVICES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCESCOURSE CALENDAR

Saturday, June 6, 1998

Introduction to the Course
Introduction to the Social Sciences
Introduction to Social Science Resources

*** Reading Summary Assignment - Find one article discussing users of social science information. Search in the library and information science professional literature. Write a two page summary of the article and be prepared to discuss it in class at the next session. DUE: June 13, 1998

General Literature of the Social Sciences
LEXIS-NEXIS
LAB EXERCISES

Saturday, June 13, 1998

Political Science  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Economics  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Business  -  Internet Bibliography by:
LAB EXERCISES
Meet w/ Instructor to Discuss Semester Projects

Saturday, June 20, 1998

History  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Law and Legal Issues  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Anthropology  -  Internet Bibliography by:
LAB EXERCISES

Saturday, June 27, 1998

Sociology  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Education  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Psychology  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Meet w/ Instructor to discuss Semester Projects
LAB EXERCISES

Saturday, July 4, 1998

Geography  -  Internet Bibliography by:
Communication  - Internet Bibliography by:
LAB EXERCISES
PRESENTATION OF SEMESTER PROJECTS

 
Tuesday, July 7, 1998

SEMESTER PROJECTS DUE IN INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICE BY 5:00 P.M.

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES YEA, SCHOOL'S OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!   PAGE INDEX

DATABASE SEARCHING PASSWORDS

Each student will receive passwords for searching the Dialog. The Dialog passwords will be assigned by the SLIS Lab Monitor. Dialog is accessible on all computers in the SLIS Computer Lab and on the WWW.

Dialog Web  -  http://www.dialogweb.com/

Dialog Web Preview  -  http://products.dialog.com/products/dialogweb/dweb_tour /index.html

Dialog Web Tutorial  -  http://training.dialog.com/tours/dweb/dweb.html
 

The LEXIS-NEXIS database is available on all computers in the SLIS Computer Laboratory.

LEXIS/NEXIS PASSWORDS

1.    21FJ2GP

2.    HHZBPFS

3.    PNW9CJT

4.    39NK2ZH

5.    X0PZTTR

INDEX