University of Denver
Library & Information Science
Course Syllabus
LIS 4632 Government Publications
2 Quarter Hours
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Quarter: |
Autumn 2014; September 9 – November 11 |
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Schedule: |
Tuesdays 4:00 - 6:20 PM |
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Place: |
304 Ruffatto Hall |
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Instructor: |
Christopher C. Brown, Penrose Library, Reference / Government Documents Librarian Phone: (303) 871-3404 (work - voicemail); (303) 359-7460 (cell - voicemail) E-mail: cbrown@du.edu |
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Class Web Page: |
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Course Description: |
The U.S. government is the world’s most prolific publisher, both for tangible and electronic formats. This class will cover the origin, nature, and scope of federal publications and issues related to management, organization, access, and reference services in a federal depository library. Technical/managerial aspects will cover acquisitions, organization, maintenance, bibliographic control, and technical processing. The reference component will cover congressional, presidential, executive branch, and judicial publications in all formats, together with their finding aids. |
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Course Objectives |
To understand the publication and distribution of United States federal documents from the early history of the US to present To understand the basic elements of participation in the US Federal Depository Program To know and appreciate the value of the Superintendent of Documents classification system To learn the basic sources for locating and using government information To understand the documentary aspects of the legislative processes To understand complex statistical research and to be able to provide reference services using federal statistical sources |
| Textbook
(required) |
Forte, Eric J, Cassandra J. Hartnett, and Andrea L Sevetson. Fundamentals of Government Information. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2011. Note: there is one copy of this book on Reserve. |
| Textbook (optional - buy it used if want to, or access online) |
Morehead, Joe. Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. 6th ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1999. Main Stacks J83 .M67 1999. This book is a bit dated, but it's content is still needed in that way that it shows how to do research with print resources. Note: the online version of this book is an e-book. Although it is possible to "check out" this book, you will then make it unavailable to the rest of the class. |
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Assignments: |
You are expected to complete all reading assignments before the beginning of each class to ensure intelligent discussions. Evidence of failure to engage in the reading assignment will negatively affect grades. Weekly assignments to be posted on class Web site. Redo Policy: Each student may do a "redo" on homework assignments. |
| Final Paper | You will write an original research paper of approximately 12 pages (about 3,500 words) on a topic relating to this class. The paper will be done in stages. Proposal: to be agreed upon with the instructor (due week 3) Please use the excellent services of the Writing Center located in the AAC.Outline and bibliography: includes at least 5 scholarly sources. Primary sources also highly encouraged, if appropriate. (due week 4) First draft (due week 7) Final paper (due week 10) Note: Chicago style is required for this paper. The library subscribes to the online CMS. |
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Note: |
This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the learning environment. |
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Grading Criteria: |
Weekly assignments: 75% Final Paper: 25% |
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Grading Scale: |
A:
4.0 = 93-100 |
| Tentative Class Schedule -- Subject to Change | ||
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Date |
Topic |
Assignments |
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Week 1 |
Class Orientation |
Subscribe to
govdoc-l. Here
are the instuctions. Forward me the first message you
receive via
e-mail from govdoc-l, to verify that you have subscribed. You will be
responsible for monitoring this mail distribution list for the duration
of this class. |
| Week 2 Sept. 16 |
Depository Issues Introduction to Serial Set and Legislative Materials Notes |
Read: Fundamentals, chapters 1, 2 and 3 Jaeger, Paul T., John Carlo
Bertot, and John A. Shuler. "The Federal Depository Library Program
(FDLP), academic libraries, and access to government information." The
Journal of Academic Librarianship 36, no. 6 (2010): 469-478. Link Brown, Christopher C. 2014. “Research with U.S. Government Information.” IN Research Within the Disciplines: Foundations for Reference and Library Instruction. Peggy Keeran and Michael Levine-Clark, eds. 2nd ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, pp. 139-164.See Canvas (files). Work on developing your final paper topic. Topics are due Sept. 23. Assignment 1 due |
| Week 3 Sept. 23 |
The Serial Set Notes |
Read Fundamentals, chapters 4 and 5 Read: Imholtz, August A. Jr. 2012. Congress as publisher: The magic of the U.S. congressional serial set. Government Information Quarterly 29 (2): 285-90. Link Imholtz Jr, August A. "The
Printing and Distribution of the Serial Set: A Preliminary Contribution
to 19th Century Congressional Publishing." Dttp 31
(2003): 8-17. Link
Read A Short History of the GPO: Read Snapshots of the Federal Depository Library Program : http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/history/snapshot.html Assignment 2 Due Final paper topics due |
| Week 4 Sept. 30 |
Presidential Documents Notes |
Read Fundamentals, chapters 6 and 7 Read: Legal Requirements & Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program (June 2011) NOT required: You can also skim the FDLP Handbook. Link. This was superseded by Legal Requirements, but has additional background information. Assignment 3 Due Outline and bibliography of final paper due |
| Week 5 Oct. 7 |
Statistics Authentication and Preservation Notes |
Read Fundamentals, chapters 8 and 9 Assignment 4 Due |
| Week 6 Oct. 14 |
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| Week 7 Oct. 21 |
Census Notes |
Read Fundamentals, chapters 13 and 14 Assignment 5 Due |
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Week 8 |
Management of Documents Collections Electronic Docs Environment Notes |
Read
Fundamentals, chapters 10 and 15
Watch GPO video Assignment 6 Due |
| Week 9 Nov. 4 |
NO CLASS | Work on Final Paper |
| Week 10 Nov. 11 |
Scientific and Technical Docs Notes
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Read Fundamentals, chapters 11 and 12 Final Paper Due |
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The
University Honor Code All members of the University community are entrusted with the responsibility of observing certain ethical goals and values as they relate to academic integrity. Essential to the fundamental purpose of the University is the commitment to the principles of truth and honesty. The Honor Code is designed so that responsibility for upholding these principles lies with the individual as well as the entire community. The Honor Code fosters and advances an environment of
ethical conduct in the academic community of the University, the
foundation of which includes the pursuit of academic honesty and
integrity. Through an atmosphere of mutual respect we enhance the value
of our education and bring forth the highest standard of academic
excellence. Members of the University community, including students,
faculty, staff, administrators and trustees, must not commit any
intentional misrepresentation or deception in academic or professional
matters. The Honor Code fosters and advances an environment of
ethical conduct in the academic community of the University, the
foundation of which includes the pursuit of academic honesty and
integrity. Through an atmosphere of mutual respect we enhance the value
of our education and bring forth the highest standard of academic
excellence. Members of the University community, including students,
faculty, staff, administrators and trustees, must not commit any
intentional misrepresentation or deception in academic or professional
matters. |
Relevant Links
Tools for Government Documents Librarianship