LIS 417: Subject Cataloging and Classification

Communication Guidelines

Email is the best way to contact me. I will respond as soon as possible. Please include LIS 417 in the subject line of the email to ensure it grabs my attention.

When I email you, I will use your official simmons.edu address. To avoid missing important messages, ensure you check your Simmons email regularly or set it up to forward to an account you check frequently.

Requirements

At a minimum, students are expected to:

• Attend each class and lab session.
• Be prepared for class.
• Read the required materials.
• Watch the required video materials.
• Participate in in-class exercises.
• Complete all homework assignments on time.
• Participate fully in group or partnered activities.
• Check e-mail regularly.
• Participate in the class's Moodle site.
• Make every effort to master the material.

Attendance

Class attendance is expected each week, and roll will be taken. You should arrive on time (or early) and remain until the end of class. Habitual tardiness and unexcused absences will lower your participation grade.

Sometimes missing class is unavoidable. Students who must miss a class due to religious observance, work obligations, illness, or family emergency should notify the instructor by e-mail before class time.

The Zoom Classroom

This course has Zoom as its classroom. Students must maintain respect for our shared learning space. Activities inappropriate in an on-campus course should also be avoided in a Zoom classroom. Students are expected to attend synchronous sessions at the scheduled time.

Students should join from a safe, private environment conducive to learning, where they can focus, participate in discussions, and take notes. Avoid distractions such as driving or running errands during class time.

Reliable internet access and appropriate computing equipment are essential. If you experience technical issues, contact Simmons Technology for assistance. Many in-class activities will require opening multiple windows and using information tools with varying levels of success regarding adaptive design. The small screens of smartphones are inadequate for completing the activities.

I typically do not record the class sessions in Zoom. If a student knows they will be absent, the professor may record the session for later viewing, upon request.

I do not require students to be on-screen during the entire class session. I ask that you be on-screen during discussions and exercises. You may turn off your cameras during lecture portions of the class.

Assignments

Assignments reflect the ideas and activities addressed in readings, lectures (live and video), and in-class exercises. They cover both conceptual and practical aspects of information organization.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Start Early: Begin assignments well in advance of the deadline to allow time for clarification if needed.While working on assignments, it can be helpful to review your notes from class.
2. Seek Clarification: If you have questions, contact me via email. Do not wait until the last minute, as I may not be able to respond in time. Please do not wait until one or two nights before the due date to contact me with questions related to the assignment. This substantially decreases the odds that I will get your message and be able to respond in time to assist you before the deadline.
3. Review Your Work: Ensure your work is complete. Missing pages or answers will result in lost points.
4. Follow Due Dates: Assignments are typically due 2-3 weeks after distribution, but refer to the syllabus calendar for specific dates.

You are expected to successfully complete every assignment in the semester. There are no make-up or extra credit assignments in this class. If you fail to turn in an assignment, you will receive a zero (0%) for that assignment. All assignments must be attempted and submitted to the instructor in order to pass this course.

All assignments must be completed and submitted via email by 9 a.m. on the due date. Files should be in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format only, unless otherwise specified. Use the following naming format for files:

LastName1-LastName2-LIS417-Assignment-name.File extension

The last names should be in alphabetical order. For example, when you and a partner submit the first written assignment, the file name should be similar to this:

Jones-Smith-LIS417-LCSH-Pt1.docx

Graded assignments typically will be returned to students two weeks after submission. Although there is never enough time to go through the answers of the graded assignments during class time, you will receive extensive feedback on your submitted assignments. And, I will gladly meet with you to discuss any problems or questions you might have about your returned assignments. 

Partners

Throughout the term you will be working individually, in pairs, and in groups. Some assignments may have randomly assigned partners. For the others, you will find a partner yourself (there is a "Find a Partner" discussion board in Moodle).

Each partner is expected to work on every component of the assignment individually, then collaborate to resolve issues and determine the final answers. Only one final version will be submitted. Students should not form larger groups unless explicitly assigned.

To ensure a successful partnership:

• Communicate: Establish a plan and communicate effectively.

• Set Expectations: Agree on a schedule and deadlines.

• Check In: Ensure tasks are on track before deadlines.

• Be Responsive: Respond promptly to messages.

If problems arise:

• Document Communications: Keep records of messages and contributions.

• Involve the Professor: If the issue persists, seek guidance.

• Be Prepared: If your partner remains unresponsive, you may be required to submit the assignment individually, with a grade penalty (10%) applied to the unresponsive partner's paper.

Late Policy

I am very serious about deadlines. Deadlines in the workplace are consequential; missing deadlines can have an impact on your livelihood. So, in this class, all assignments are to be completed and submitted on time. Late assignments will not be accepted.

If you do not complete or turn in an assignment on the due date, you will receive a zero for that assignment. As you will be working with partners for much of the semester, your habits can affect others as well. Please stay on top of the work.

Reminder: There are no extensions, no make-up work, and no exceptions. This is an advanced course; you are expected to have your work done on time.

AI Policy

Unless otherwise specified, the use of generative AI tools (ChatGPT, GPT-based tools, text-generation software, etc.) to complete your assignments and the discussion boards is prohibited. The goal of this policy is to encourage deep engagement with the course material and to ensure that you gain the skills and knowledge essential to your future work in the Library and Information Science (LIS) field.

You are expected to submit work that you and your partner(s) have created independently, without assistance from AI. This helps to ensure that you fully internalize the concepts, tools, and skills that are critical to your academic and professional development. Although AI tools may become commonplace, over-reliance on them during this program can undermine your learning and ability to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios.

Why this matters: The purpose of this course is not just to earn a grade, but to help you develop competencies that will be essential for your career. Using AI to complete your assignments deprives you of the opportunity to genuinely learn and practice the skills you will need in the LIS profession.

If you have any questions about the policy, please feel free to reach out.

Incompletes

Students who become ill, have a medical emergency, a death in the immediate family, extreme hardship, or unusual circumstances may request an incomplete from the instructor. Students must be performing at a passing level to be considered eligible for an incomplete. Students must work with the SLIS MS-Program Director in order to request an incomplete. If approval is granted, the incomplete must be finished before the first week of the following term (e.g., if you take an incomplete in the spring semester, you must finish the incomplete before summer classes begin). If the incomplete is not finished by the deadline, you will receive zeros in all outstanding assignments.

SLIS Student Policies

Simmons University Policies

For information regarding these Simmons University policies on Academic Integrity, Accessibility Services, Sexual Harassment Policy, and more, please see the Syllabus Policies website.

Other Information

Changes to the Syllabus: This syllabus is not a contract. The instructor reserves the right to alter the course requirements, schedule, and/or assignments based on new materials, class discussions, or other legitimate pedagogical objectives. Students will be given notice of relevant changes in class or via e-mail.

Digital Student Products: Any digital work produced in this course and maintained on a Simmons server will be erased 90 days after the end of the course. In some cases, a 30-day extension is available with the permission of the SLIS Tech Manager. SLIS Students are ultimately responsible for preserving the longevity of their digital coursework. You can do this most effectively by using the resources that are made available from SLIS Tech or SLIS faculty.

Copying of Student Products: Unless the student indicates otherwise by e-mail to the instructor, the instructor may be collecting copies of student work for use in the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the COA accreditation processes. Student names will be removed from the student work prior to use.

Land Acknowledgment: Simmons SLIS acknowledges that the land on which we study and work is the rightful heritage of Indigenous peoples, including the Massachusett, Pawtucket, Pocumtuc, Nonotuck, and Nipmuck peoples. We honor their stewardship of this land and strive to remain accountable to their needs.