Course Goals

1. Students will learn how to determine the nature and extent of information needed in order to identify a suitable research topic.
2. Students will become familiar with the strengths and limitations of different types of information resources and the media through which these resources are presented in order to access resources effectively.
3. Students will learn strategies for the critical evaluation of information in order to evaluate the reliability of a resource and determine the biases that are inherent in a resource.
4. Students will learn how to structure and implement their own research strategies in order to plan and execute an effective search.
5. Students will acquire in-depth knowledge of information management tools in order to be lifelong learners.
6. Students will develop awareness of the legal, economic, political and social aspects of information resources in order to use information ethically.

Class Format

This class has been designed around the concepts of group work and open academic collaboration. Much of the work and discussion being done in the class will occur in an open Blog and through Google Docs. All grades can be accessed through the Blackboard course. While you can purchase the Cite Right book in the Campus Bookstore, and it may help you in current and future classes/endeavors, it is not required for this class.

The class will be divided into groups. Each group will select a broad topic and will be assigned to narrow that broad topic into a research question that you will research over the next few weeks using methods we teach you. You will fulfill several assignments regarding that research.

These assignments will lead up to a final presentation on these topics by each group and a final topic report on the group’s Google Docs page.

The layout of the final report on the group’s Google Doc is up to each group. The final presentation is also up to each group, with the exception that no one can use Microsoft Powerpoint as a presentation method.

There are details regarding each assignment, including the final report and presentation on the assignment pages within the class blog.

Expectations

Please bring your computer to all class sessions as we will be working electronically each time we meet.

Assignments are due by the beginning of the due date class. There are 3 assignments (two group based and one individual based), 5 discussion assignments, and a final report and presentation. The presentation is due when your group is scheduled to present on one of the two last days of class (April 28th or April 30th). The final report is due Sunday, May 4th before midnight.

When submitting assignments, follow the Honor Code, which states “a student pledges in all phases of life not to cheat, plagiarize, engage in other forms of academic misconduct, deceive, or steal.”

A significant portion of this course involves collaborative work in an open and shared electronic environment. Students are expected to behave responsibly and ethically in this environment and to respect the work of others. Any actions taken that do not follow this goal will be considered to be violations of the Honor Code.