INLS 180: Human Information Interactions

Fall 2003 (Section 001)

Course Description

This course is concerned with the behavioral, cognitive and affective activities of people as they interact with information, with particular emphasis on the roles of the information professionals who may mediate that interaction. It will provide an overview of the literature on peoples' recognition of their information needs, the actions they may take in resolving those needs, the roles of information professionals in supporting those actions, the use of information, the further dissemination of information, and the context of information interaction.

I will post any changes, additions, deletions, or announcements to the web page throughout the semester. The web page is the definitive guide to what's happening with the course.

Goals of the Course

This is an introductory course that assumes no previous background in information and library science. By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Synthesize and evaluate the literature related to information seeking, including the recognition of information needs, actions toward resolving needs, the roles of intermediaries, and the retrieval and use of information.
2. Explain the ways in which information is created, disseminated and used in a variety of contexts and how the use of information is affected by those contexts.
3. Explain the role and impact of technology in communication.
4. Apply theoretical terms and concepts to practical and/or professional questions
5. Communicate theoretical concepts, research questions, and findings to an audience of peers both orally and in writing.
6. Evaluate and constructively critique the work of peers.

Textbooks and Readings

No textbook is required. Readings are on reserve in the SILS Library (marked [PAM] in the schedule), or are in the stacks or located online.

Assignments and Grading

Your grade will be based on one-minute papers at the end of each class (25 points), three individual assignments (40 points each), three team-led discussions (25 points each), a final project (100 points), and participation (30 points), for a total of 350 possible points. This course has neither a midterm nor a final exam. Your final project report will be due at final exam time. See the Assignments page for more details and due dates.

Detailed instructions for each assignment will be supplied as the course proceeds. Briefly, each team assignment will require you and two or three of your classmates to read and synthesize a set of articles for one class period, compose and distribute a write-up of these articles before class, and lead a discussion during class. You will be asked to specify which topics particularly interest you, and I will take your preferences into account when choosing teams. Individual assignments will require you to independently analyze one or more aspects of various information systems, using the ideas discussed in our readings.

The term project is an in-depth analysis of a problem relevant to course content, and it may take the form of a group or individual project or a scholarly paper. All project ideas must have the approval of the instructor. Ideas are due by September 17, and the final project or paper is due on December 15.

Class Policies

ON THE HONOR CODE AND PERMISSIBLE COLLABORATION
The Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of assignments, is in effect in this class. When work or ideas are not your own, you must attribute them. When an assignment is designated as individual, the work you turn in must be your own. In the case of team assignments, this policy implies that each team's work should be independent. If you have any doubts about a course of action, please ask for clarification.

Within these parameters, I encourage the free discussion and exchange of ideas, particularly because this course involves an extensive review of key literature and ideas in our field. When working with other students, I ask that you abide by an "Open Hands" policy. You must leave any meeting you have about specific assignments with open hands-e.g., no notes and no documents, including electronic documents, that contain specific solutions. Thus you can talk with your fellow students about anything, but you cannot leave with physical artifacts when your discussion relates to specific work assigned for the class. With team assignments, the Open Hands policy doesn't apply within the team.

Students are permitted to receive (and provide) assistance regarding the use of hardware and software in the computer lab.

ON QUESTIONS AND INTERACTIONS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR
I have office hours and I will always be around during those times. If office hours don't work for you, appointments are fine as well. If you have a complicated question, office hours are preferable to email. Email is fine for quick answers (e.g., to clarify a due date) or to set up an appointment.

If there is something you don't understand, ask questions! If you don't want to ask during class, please come see me at some other time. If your team is having difficulty, please come to see me. One of the educational outcomes of this class should be an increase in your effectiveness in getting advice from your colleagues.

ON CLASS PREPARATION AND DUE DATES
One of my commitments to you is to be prepared for class and to start on time. If unforeseeable circumstances prevent this for any reason, I will try to notify you beforehand if at all possible. I expect all students to have the same commitment.

Reading assignments should be done before the class for which they are assigned so you can ask questions and participate in discussions. Assignments must be passed in at the beginning of the class in which they are due. Due "times" for non-class days are 5PM. Unexcused late work will be penalized 5 points per day for regular assignments, and 10 points per day for the midterm and final projects.

ON PARTICIPATION
A portion of your grade will be determined by your completion of One-Minute Papers at the end of each class session and your contributions to team projects, as judged by your classmates. I also encourage you to voice opinions and ask questions. If you must miss a class, try to notify me in advance.

ON THE COURSE WEB PAGE
The course web page [http://www.unc.edu/~cadessa/180/f03/] contains general information about the course and any late-breaking changes. I will always post important news, changes, and updates prominently on the "entrance page". Any changes to the web page will be announced in class or via the listserv. Once a change is announced and posted by me, you are responsible for abiding by it. Where the paper syllabus and the web page conflict, the web page is the most up-to-date, authoritative source.

ON THE CLASS LISTSERV
All students who preregistered have been subscribed to the class listserv. The list name is inls180_001_f03. I will use the listserv to send out announcements. Students may use the listserv to ask questions or give suggestions that are relevant to the class, e.g., to clarify an assignment or provide a software hint. If you are not receiving messages, please let me know.

ON TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
You are welcome to bring laptops or other electronic note-taking devices to class. However, I expect that, during class time, you will use these devices for class-related purposes. This policy is subject to revision and/or discussion as the semester progresses.

Cell phones and pagers should be silenced before entering class. I may make exceptions to this policy on an individual basis (e.g., if your job requires you to carry one). Please see me if you have questions.

Christy Adessa Wilkens