Course Syllabus
COMM 150: Introduction to Information Literacy and Research
Supplemental Course Syllabus
Fall Semester 2011
Fridays 8-10:50/ 11-1:50
CRN 2427/2428
Room 205
Professor Michelle Belasco
pr.belasco.michelle@bryantstratton.edu
(440) 212-8171
In this class we will be covering the various aspects associated with information literacy and communication theory. I will teach using a combination of interactive lectures, class demonstrations and relevant in-class activities and assignments to achieve student success. Digital resources and the use of technology will be emphasized. We will be utilizing a class website for access to class resources, notes, assignments, and so forth. There will be an emphasis on study skills and research methods and this class will encourage and prompt you to utilize higher level thinking. “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought” (Albert Szent-Gyorgyi)
Skills Assistance Hours:
I will be available for student consultation before or after class and by appointment. I can most easily be reached through e-mail and will respond within 24 hours.
Required Textbooks:
- Research Strategies for a Digital Age by Bonnie L. Tensen (3rd ed.)
ISBN: 978-1-4282-6330-7
- 100% Information Literacy Success by Terry Taylor (2nd ed.)
ISBN: 978-1-111-35166-3
Course Outcomes:
1. Assess how modern society represents, processes, and communicates information through technology-driven channels. This will include a study of how society has used technology in the past to communicate specific messages.
2. Evaluate how technology can represent findings in a variety of textual and graphic methods that rely on low, medium, and high technology communication platforms.
3. Effectively use public access catalogs, bibliographies, and full-text and bibliographic databases.
4. Develop and refine search techniques for electronic, print, and Internet resources.
5. Identify different information format and then choose the most appropriate format(s) for each research need.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of political, social, legal, economic, and intellectual property issues relevant to print and electronic resources and successfully avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement.
7. Evaluate information for reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view.
8. Cite bibliographic references in APA format, properly instructing bibliographies and reference lists in research papers and assignments.
9. Investigate personal and professional interests, strengths and skills.
10. Perform research on career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
11. Complete a written career-related research project. Present research findings on career development and lifelong learning through discussion and other oral presentation formats.
Class Assignments:
This class will consist of the following assignments:
Assignments (5) 25 points each 125 points total 25%
InClass Activities (10) 10 points each 100 points total 20%
Final 75 points 15 %
Presentation 25 points 5%
Portfolio Project 1 25 points 5%
Portfolio Project 2 75 points 15%
Portfolio Project 3 50 points 10%
Portfolio Development Day 25 points 5%
Class Total 500 points
Grading Scale
A (90%-100%) = 450-500 points
B (80%-89%) = 400-449 points
C (70%-79%) = 350-399 points
Anything below 350 points is an F grade
This class will consist of the following assignments:
Assignment 1- Print Information Definitions (25 points)
Assignment 2 – Bibliography of Print Library Resources (25 points)
Assignment 3- Bibliography of Research Articles (25 points)
Assignment 4- Webliography of Assessed Websites (25 points)
Assignment 5- Deep Web Search Evaluation (25 points)
In-Class Presentation on Information Rights (25 points)
Portfolio Project 1- Reflective Narrative Essay (25 points)
Portfolio Project 2- Professional Plan Research Project (75 points)
Portfolio Project 3- Process Analysis Essay (50 points)
InClass 1-10- These will vary depending on what the class topic will be (10 points)
Assignment Submissions:
All assignments may be turned in either as a hard-copy (paper) or in a digital format via e-mail. All assignments and in-class activities must be turned in by the specified due date.
Late assignments will be docked 1% for each day past the due date that they are turned in.
All digital submissions should be sent to
pr.belasco.michelle@bryantstratton.edu
Files should be named in the following format:
COMM150_Assignment1_Yourlastname
.doc or .docx preferred
Graded assignments will be returned via electronic format through student e-mail or by hand if it is a paper copy. Assignments may be revised and resubmitted prior to the assignment due date.
Exams:
Throughout the duration of this course, you will be given a variety of exams to complete. The first of which is a diagnostic exam which is not worth any points but is there to assess your current knowledge of the subject. A final exam will be given in-class on the specified date and will cover the information provided within the class lectures, readings, and notes.
Student Expectations:
As this is a 3 credit hour class, your weekly in class time (2 hours and 50 minutes) should be supplemented by additional time outside of class working on class materials. For a 3 credit hour class, that equals out to 6 hours a week on assignments and readings outside of class.
Students are expected to attend classes regularly and turn in all assignments by their given due date. Attendance for the final is mandatory, exceptions will be made only for documented emergencies (illness, uncontrollable circumstances, etc.). Although attendance is not a graded element in this class, it is essential to come to class and to participate. There will also be things that are covered in-lecture that may appear on the final exam. In-class activities or assignments may require a class presentation which if missed on the initial presentation date, can be made up if class time allows. The best way to learn is by doing and the material covered in the class can be difficult to grasp and understand at times. If you do not come to class I cannot properly teach and guide you on your pathway of learning and subsequently your grade and knowledge will suffer dramatically.
Class Etiquette:
While in class, please always be kind and courteous to others. Silence your cell phone. Food and drink is not permitted in the computer classrooms. During class lectures and in-class demonstrations, please do not use the computer. Class time allocated for class activities should be used for such and not for social networking or other various entertainment means available on the Internet. Please refrain from going on frivolous websites during class, repeated instances of this will result in limited computer usage during lectures and in-class demonstrations.
Lifelong Learning:
The skills attained in this class will broaden your horizons as a student and will enable you to find and assess information throughout your life. Strong information literacy skills will assist you as much in the office or at school as they would in your home. You will be able to find the information (any information…almost) that you need and determine if it is relevant or useful. Information is power and information literacy is the key to unlock that power.
Workplace Competencies:
In this course you will develop and enhance your skills to be able to:
1. Communicate effectively
2. Behave ethically
3. Strive for quality work
4. Be adaptable to change
5. Use technology effectively
Assigned Readings:
Readings Must be read by the date listed:
|
2- Sept. 16, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p. 3-28; 71-98; 190-220 |
|
3- Sept. 23, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p. 33-69; Research Strategies- p. 3-17; 151-155; 170-177 |
|
4- Sept. 30, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p. 143-179 |
|
5- Oct. 7, 2011 |
Research Strategies- p. 99-109; 155-162 |
|
6- Oct. 14, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p.57-66; Research Strategies- p. 19-34; 163-167 |
|
7- Oct. 21, 2011 |
Research Strategies- p. 55-67; 168-169 |
|
8- Oct. 28, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p.103-141; Research Strategies-p. 35-53; 71-85 |
|
9- Nov. 4, 2011 |
No Assigned Reading for this Class |
|
10- Nov. 11, 2011 |
No Class- Veteran’s Day |
|
11- Nov. 18, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p. 182-190 |
|
12- Nov. 25, 2011 |
No Class- Black Friday |
|
13- Dec. 2, 2011 |
100% Info Success- p. 182-190 |
|
14- Dec. 9, 2011 |
Review All Course Materials and Assigned Readings for Final |
Assignment Due Dates:
*All assignments are due by the specified due date by 11:59pm.
Assignment 1- September 30, 2011
Assignment 2- October 14, 2011
Assignment 3- November 4, 2011
Assignment 4- November 11, 2011
Assignment 5- November 25, 2011
Presentation- Presentations will be held in class on November 18, 2011
Portfolio Project 1- Friday, October 7, 2011
Portfolio Project 2- Friday, November 4, 2011
Portfolio Project 3- Friday December 16, 2011
Portfolio Project 3- Friday, December 16, 2011
Portfolio Project 3- Friday, December 16, 2011
Portfolio Project 3- Friday, December 16, 2011
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|