Syllabus for Introduction to Metadata for Digital Objects
Library 122/Section 9477
Spring 2015
Dates: Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 9:10 p.m. 1/13/2015 through 5/10/2015
No class during Spring break 3/9-3/12/2015
Office Hours: Tuesdays 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. LL314. Any changes to this schedule will be posted in Canvas.
Your Instructors
Linda Stewart
Teaching Assistant is Lisa Fischelis
Communication
My preferred method of communication for inquiries from students and colleagues is e-mail. My e-mail
address is ljstewart@pasadena.edu. I generally check e-mail twice a day. If you send me a message
and I haven’t responded within 24 hours, assume that technology is testing your patience and text me at
951-237-6430. For those of you who would prefer to use text rather than e-mail, I don’t mind receiving
text messages but you won’t always be able to reach me because my phone and I are not always
together. This is particularly true on Sundays. As much as possible, I would ask you to please either email or text rather than calling. I appreciate very much your cooperation in this matter.
Lisa Fischelis can be reached at lfischelis@att.net.
Online Learning Management System
We will be using Canvas which we will discuss during our first session.
Course Description
This course is a study of the basic principles of metadata development for digital repositories. The class
includes a survey of the most commonly adopted metadata schemas and controlled vocabularies with
an emphasis on using the Dublin Core schema to create shareable metadata records. Students will gain
practical experience in applying a selected metadata standard to a collection of digital objects. Total of
54 hours lecture.
Required Textbook
There is no required textbook for this class. All readings are available online. The one that you will
begin with is an Introduction to Metadata Version 3.0 by Tony Gill, Anne J. Gilliland,
Maureen Whalen, and Mary S. Woodley
Edited by Murtha Baca
2008
The online version available at
http://www.getty.edu/research/publications/electronic_publications/intrometadata/index.html
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
 Identify the principles, concepts and types of metadata.
 Identify a variety of metadata schemas and element sets for specific domains and
communities.
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
Implement controlled vocabularies for entering descriptive information.
Course Format
Given that this program is designed to prepare students for working on digital projects, this class will
build on the concepts learned in Introduction to Technologies for Digital Projects. While the focus of
the class is on metadata, students will continue to scan and build digital projects. As was the case with
the Introduction to Technologies for Digital Projects, most class sessions will begin with a lecture and
class discussion but will include a hands-on session.
Even though this is a face to face class, we will be using Canvas, the campus’ learning management
system. The class will use Canvas for online quizzes, writing assignments, the mid-term project and final
exam.
Workload
While there will be time in class for working on individual digital projects, students should plan on
spending another six hours per week outside of the classroom reading, taking quizzes, and completing
writing assignments.
Grading Policy
Grading scale is based on 585 points. 510 points are the total possible points for all graded
assignments. The additional 75 points is related to attendance—15 weeks @ 5 pts. each week. Grades
will be determined as a percentage of the total points available, based on the following scale:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
No Credit
Less than 59%
Course Requirements
Attendance and Participation
Because attendance is required at PCC, roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. The reality is
that for this class, missing a session means that you will lose time on your class work. Therefore, if you
cannot attend a session, you must contact the instructor ahead of time in order to make arrangements
to use equipment, software, etc. Please remember PCC’s policy that missing class twice constitutes
grounds for failure.
If you are routinely late, and especially if you are disruptive when you enter the class, you will not
receive the maximum possible points for attendance.
If you decide to drop the class, you are responsible for officially dropping the class. Failure to drop a
class may result in a grade of F. The deadline for dropping without a W is 1/27/2015.
If you do not attend the first class session and have not contacted me by the start of the second class,
you will be dropped.
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Class Policies
Late assignments
We are all busy people and not surprisingly our personal lives sometimes conflict with our academic
lives. The result is that occasionally you can’t get something turned in on time. You’re ill, your fouryear-old has kept you up for nights on end, you’re on an airplane when the assignment is due and your
laptop died at the airport, you’ve had to work for six days straight, etc. Rather than having to explain all
of this to me, at the end of the semester I will automatically drop your lowest score, which could be a
zero. Or, if you’ve turned in everything, it may be the 89%, your lowest score. Word of warning—
deciding that you’d prefer not to write a short paper and using that as your free pass can be risky unless
it is the very last assignment.
This offer does not extend to the mid-term or final projects for the class.
Phones and other electronic devices
All devices must be turned off or in silent mode during class. If you must read/respond, take it outside
of the classroom. (Yes, that includes texting.) It is my hope that you will be considerate of your
colleagues in the class and wait until break to deal with your messages. If it gets to be a problem, I am
not above asking a student to leave.
Canvas
Information on assignments, grading rubrics, updates, etc. will all be available through Canvas. It is the
student’s responsibility to login at least once a week.
Food/Drink
Food and drinks may not be consumed in Room LL311.
class break.
Instead, please enjoy them during your mid-
Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S)
DSP&S is designed to enable eligible students with verified disabilities to fully participate within all
Pasadena City College academic and vocational programs. Students with learning, physical,
developmental, visual, hearing, speech/language, health impairments and psychological disabilities may
inquire about services by contacting the DSP&S office at
http://www.pasadena.edu/studentservices/DSPS/
Student Conduct and Academic Honesty
Students are expected to adhere to the California Education Code policy on Student Conduct and
Academic Honesty. See Pasadena Area College District Policy No. 4520 at:
http://www.pasadena.edu/ipro/policies/pcc_4520.pdf
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