LAA 700

LAA700 - Latin American Library Resources
Fall 2010

Syllabus

Prof.:                Jana Krentz
Office:              International Area Studies, 551 Watson Library
Office Hours:   Thursday 9:00-11:00 or by appointment
PH:                   864-3351
e-mail:              jkrentz@ku.edu

Homepage: http://www2.ku.edu/~splat/

Aug. 24	-Introduction: Course content and objectives -Basic library skills -Orientation to KU online catalog -Finding monographs
31	-Basic library skills cont. -Introduction to serials, conference proceedings. -LC Subject Headings	Mann – Chap. 2 Booth – Prologue
Sept. 8	-Keyword and subject searching	Mann – Chap. 10 Booth – Chap. 3
14	-Online database searching -Peer reviewed journals	Mann – Chap. 4 & 5 Ackerman article
21	-Internet searching -Evaluating resources	Booth – Chap. 6
28	-General reference works -Evaluating resources	Mann – Chap. 1 Booth – Chap. 5
Oct. 5	-General reference works -Evaluating resources -Using bibliographies	Mann – Chap. 6
12	-General Latin American reference works -Analyzing information	Mann – Chap. 15
19	-Resources in history and international relations -The Research Plan , logs -Primary, secondary and tertiary sources	Mann – Chap. 14
26	-Primary, secondary and tertiary sources -Special collections	Mann – Chapter 11 & 13
Nov. 2	-Resources in anthropology, folklore, - communications, geography, education, religion, film -Historical Research Project and Research Plan due	Mann – Chap. 3 & 8
9	-Resources in sociology, economics, business, statistics, agriculture	Mann – Chap. 9
16	-Government information, political and statistical research -Intergovernmental publications, NGOS	Mann – Chap. 13
23	Thanksgiving vacation
30	-U.S. and international gov. docs.
Dec, 7	-Media Bias -Politics of Information -Challenges facing research libraries - Consortia and cooperative projects -Hidden treasures	Articles: Darlene Hull-Gullon “The Future Isn’t What it Used to Be.” David Block. “Where Are We?; Where We May Be Going; What Will We Do There?

REQUIRED TEXTS: Booth, Wayne C. et al. The Craft of Research. 2nd edition.
Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2003

Mann, Thomas. The Oxford Guide to Library Research. 3rd
ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2005

Both books are on reserve at Watson Library.

ARTICLES: (Found on Blackboard)

Ackerman, Holly. “HLAS, HAPI, and PRISMA: A Comparative Review of the Foundational
Databases of Latin American Studies and a Recent Complement.” Charleston Advisor
July 2009: 19-23.

Block, David. “Where Are We?; Where We May Be Going; What Will We Do There?”
Historical Monographs, papers and Research May 19, 2008.
http://hdl.handle.net/1813/10827

Hazen, Dan. "Archival Research and the Program for Latin American Libraries and Archives".
Hispanic American Historical Review 83 (2003): 345-354.

Hull-Gullon, Darlene. “The Future Isn’t What it Used to Be.” Unpublished manuscript.
SALALM 54, Berlin, Germany. July 2009.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to help students develop and refine research skills in Latin American studies. It will provide an overview of the principal research methodologies and resources necessary for the study of Latin American in the social sciences and the humanities. The course covers the development of research techniques and use of resources such as primary documents, statistical sources, archival and manuscript collections, television news, official publications, and bibliographic and other electronic databases (e.g., basic bibliographical resources; electronic resources, websites; networking in the disciplines.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To learn how to locate library materials on Latin America.
To learn how to prepare a research plan
To learn how to formulate a research question
To introduce the organization of information in Latin American area studies and resources in the field
To introduce research techniques and sources within the different disciplinary areas of Latin American Studies
To learn the effective use of these sources and research methods in research projects
To develop systematic techniques for preparing bibliographies.
To learn to evaluate critically various types of information on Latin America.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Short exercises to reinforce weekly topics designed to help the student become familiar with Latin American resources for research.

Two research projects; findings to be presented in class and in papers. These long-range projects incorporate the research techniques developed in the course and focus on the historical development of Costa Rica, and a current events simulation.

Participation in discussion is an important aspect of the seminar

REQUIREMENTS:

You are expected to attend class each time it meets. More than one absence will adversely affect your grade. If you cannot attend class you are still responsible for work you missed.

Students are expected to arrive to class on time. Repeated tardiness may effect your grade.
All assignments must be turned in on time. Late work will be accepted up to 2 days after it is due, but only with prior permission from the professor. Any late work will be subject to grade penalties.

Do not plagiarize. Plagiarism is defined as "the appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas, and thoughts of another author, and representation of them as one's original work."

Individuals who disrupt or obstruct teaching may be subject to discipline for either academic misconduct or non academic misconduct against the orderly process of the university.

CLASS PARTICIPATION AND DISCUSSION:

Participation & Discussion (10% of Overall Grade): Class participation will vary in form and quantity to complement weekly learning goals and activities. Students will be expected to independently pursue self-directed learning activities, as well as contribute substance and insight during group discussions and role playing. These class discussions can be productive learning activities if the learner:

conscientiously shares relevant resources and experiences;
makes connections between first-hand observations of research problems and research issues;
critically examines their own assumptions, as well as the assumptions of others;
offers and explains propositions, ideas, and insights;
justifies their assertions with evidence or authority;
interweaves the ideas of others into their own posts; and
summarizes readings and discussions

EVALUATION PERCENTAGES:

         Historical Research Project         30%
               and research log
         Weekly assignments                   30%
            and logs
         Course page                               10%
         Research scenarios                      20%
         Class participation                      10%
            and discussion

BLACKBOARD:
Blackboard is a Web-based course management system which will serve as our common classroom. Access Blackboard through any Web browser at http:/courseware.ku.edu . Since this is a secure space, a valid KU ID and a password will be required to access the course site.
Blackboard offers numerous communication tools (e.g., an asynchronous discussion board and a chat tool) and file storage areas that will enable the exchange of information. For example, the Announcements section of Blackboard will be used to inform students of current learning goals, assignments, and deliverables. The Documents section will house informational and instructional resources such as PowerPoint slide presentations and activity sheets.

PLAGIARISM

The issue of plagiarism, especially digital has raised concerns about ethics, student writing experiences, and academic integrity. Students found plagiarizing or engaging in other academic misconduct can be ejected from the University. For more information on plagiarism see the plagiarism website at the KU Writing Center at: http://www.writing.ku.edu/guides/index.shtml?1#plagiarism

KU WRITING CENTER

Most colleges and universities have a writing center, a place for students to talk about their writing with trained peer consultants. At KU, we call our writing centers Writer's Roosts. When you visit, bring your work in progress and an idea of what you would like to work on-organization, support, documentation, editing, etc. The Roosts are open in several different locations across campus; please check the website at http://www.writing.ku.edu
<http://www.writing.ku.edu> for current locations and hours. The Roosts welcome both drop-ins and appointments, and there is no charge for their services. For more information, please call 864-2399 or send an e-mail to writing@ku.edu <mailto:writing@ku.edu>.