Description
The continuing and fast growth of digital information in
volume and complexity creates unprecedented challenges to information system
users and developers. Strategies for addressing these challenges require
knowledge from library and information science, computer science,
linguistics, psychology, and other related disciplines. This course is
designed to provide knowledge and skills that are fundamental for responding
to the challenges of digital information. Specifically, the course will
discuss 1) knowledge modeling methods and representation of concepts and
their relationships, augmented by case studies of common knowledge
organization methods; 2) knowledge structures that are used in many
information systems, including classifications, thesauri, lexicons, and
ontologies; 3) knowledge technologies that are currently used and/or under
development; and 4) experiences and lessons learned from real world ontology
projects.
Objectives
- To
gain an advanced understanding of and techniques in building knowledge-based
information systems for both research and business processes,
- To
familiarize students with knowledge organization structures, markup
languages, and tools, and
- To
provide students with practical experience in creating ontologies,
thesaurus, and other knowledge organization structures
Who Should Take It
Any graduate student from library and information science,
computer science, linguistics, and other relevant disciplines who is
interested in knowledge-based information systems should consider taking this
course. Students enrolled in this class are expected to have basic
understanding of database design, information processing, HTML, and XML.
Knowledge and/or experience in programming are not required, but will be
helpful. Prereq: IST552 or IST616, or consent from
instructor.
Required Textbook
Antoniou, G. & van Harmelen, F. A Semantic Web Primer. Cambrige, Mass.:
The MIT Press, 2004.
ISBN: 0-262-01210-3
Coursework
A number of exercises (40%) are designed for better
understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of knowledge
organization structures. Students will work in groups for a term project
(40%), through which the knowledge and skills learned from class are put in
practical problem solving. Class
participation counts for 20% of the total grade.
Expectations and Grading Policy
I try to make every class worth attending (online and in
classroom). Students will be responsible for any and all material covered,
handed-out, announced, etc. in class unless told otherwise. Attempts will be
made, however, to place important announcements in class and/or on the class
web site. Lecture notes will be posted on all days as scheduled.
Every attempt will be made to return assignments in a
timely fashion. Assignments are due on the date indicated, unless specified
otherwise. Comments will be made for individual exercises and other
submissions with a grade. Late work will be accepted only for two days after
the due date, with a 5% penalty per day, unless a legitimate reason for delay
is given before hand or an unexpected emergency prevented you from turning in
your work on time. This is to facilitate the timely return of graded
assignments with answers.
This syllabus (including course requirements, due dates,
etc.) may be changed with sufficient notice.
If you have any type of disability which may require
additional time or special consideration, please let me know at the
beginning of the course.
Grading Policy
- According
to the grading policy of the School
of Information Studies, a
"basic grade" will be awarded for student performance that is
judged to be satisfactory for the course level (undergraduate or
graduate). All other grades will be determined in comparison with the
standards of the basic grade. For graduate students the basic grade is B.
- Fulfilling
the requirements for an assignment coupled with the absence of errors
(in writing, arithmetic, formatting) will earn a grade no higher than B+.
To earn an A- or A grade, the assignment must go beyond
the minimum expected in terms of quality (insight, creativity, analysis,
thoroughness, synthesis).
- Grade
levels follow the scales below:
A = 94-100, A- = 90-93, B+ = 85-89, B = 80-84, B- = 75-79, C+ = 70-74, C
= 65-69, C- = 60-64, F = below 60
- An
incomplete grade, I, can be given only if the circumstances
preventing the on-time completion of all course requirements were
clearly unforeseeable and uncontrollable. If an incomplete is required a
written contract must be completed which specifies the nature of the
missing work, the date it will be completed, and the default grade that
will be given if that deadline is missed.
- It
is unethical to allow some students additional opportunities, such as
extra credit assignments, without allowing the same options to all
students.
- Failure
to complete any course requirement will result in a course grade of C
or lower, regardless of the grades received in other components.
- Group-based
assignments will usually have a component of the final grade based on
each group member's assessment of the contribution made by the others in
the group.
- To
discuss a grade, arrange for a private meeting in which you identify the
sources of your concern. It is important to bring with you to that
meeting the relevant materials (e.g., marked papers). Except for
extraordinary circumstances, no appeal for an individual assignment or
project will be considered later than two weeks after the graded
assignment was returned. For final grades, no appeal will be considered
after 5/31/2005.
- Regular
participation in class discussions is expected, exactly as it would be
on the job. If an emergency or illness occurs, have someone notify your
team and the course instructor as soon as possible--even if you are our
of town. If you are going to be absent from team meetings you need to
make arrangements to catch-up on what you missed and to make sure your
part of the workload is covered. Too little participation is sufficient
cause to lower the final course grade. Exceptions will be made for
emergencies and other extenuating circumstances provided they are
verified by appropriate documentation that is received no later than 1
week after the absence(s).
- Academic
Integrity
The academic community of Syracuse
University and of the School
of Information Studies
requires the highest standards of professional ethics and personal
integrity from all members of the community. Violations of these
standards are violations of a mutual obligation characterized by trust,
honesty, and personal honor. As a community, we commit ourselves to
standards of academic conduct, impose sanctions against those who
violate these standards, and keep appropriate records of violations. For
definitions of academic dishonesty and policies and procedures handling
academic dishonesty, see http://istweb.syr.edu/academic/courses/administrative/integrity.html
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