Seminar presentation 45%

Seminar presentations will introduce fellow students to the way information scientists study and understand a selected information behavior. Each seminar must define, describe and explain the behavior in relation to dominant theoretical frameworks and paradigms, identify the prominent writers and researchers who have focused on this behavior, identify specific research techniques or approaches that have been used to investigate the properties or dimensions of the behavior, and summarise what information science knows and what it needs to know about this behavior. The presenter should identify a research agenda for the discipline related to the information behavior studied and elaborate at least one research question or objective that needs to be addressed.

Evaluations and Commentaries 30% 

All students must be well-prepared to participate in all seminars. This means that each student will have completed the recommended reading, summarized the papers and prepared questions to introduce into the discussion about the information behavior covered by the seminar. All participants must be responsive and committed to enhancing the learning opportunities that will arise from the seminar.

Students will be required to write an evaluation and commentary (maximum 1 page in length) for each seminar including a response to the topic discussed and an evaluation of the presentation itself. These commentaries should be personal reflections, observations or critiques of the content, ideas, or issues. The commentaries will be passed on to the presenters and with permission from the presenters and participants, distributed to all members of the class as a resource for further thinking and discussion.

Annotated bibliography  25%  

An annotated bibliography will be submitted in the last week of quarter when students will also be required to give a summary presentation (15 minutes) of what they have learned about the information behavior that they focused on during the quarter. A one-page summary must be prepared for distribution to fellow students. This brief presentation will focus on existing knowledge and new knowledge—what do we know and therefore what do we need to know. Each brief presentation should conclude with a recommended research agenda for the aspect of information behavior that the student has been studying. These presentations will be given to students studying Human Information Behavior in either the MLIS or MSIM programs.

Other Important Resources and Policies:

• Information School Grading Policy
• University of Washington Expectation of Academic Honesty

• Late Work
  Late work will only be accepted by arrangement with the instructor, only in the case of an emergency.

• Accommodating Students with Disabilities
  To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disabled Student Services (DSS): 448 Schmitz, 206-543-8924 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from DSS indicating that you have a disability which requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to me so we can discuss the accommodations you might need in the class.  Academic accommodations due to disability will not be made unless the student has a letter from DSS specifying the type and nature of accommodations needed.   For additional information, see Statements to Ensure Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation at http://www.washington.edu/admin/eoo/eoost.html.