Syllabus:
Course Overview
This course will provide opportunities for learning and instruction about Information Literacy including the information search process. This course will place a special emphasis on the elements of the information search process (as outlined by Carol Kuhlthau, Professor, Rutgers University, ) including: initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection, and presentation. The course will be taught through critical readings, discussion, visiting lectures, field trips, and presentation of individual research.
One of the functions of this course is to establish a framework for conducting intelligent independent research using print and electronic resources at any library or research center. Students will actively engage issues in the fields of library science and the humanities that will continue to develop as students’ progress through their course work here at Pratt Institute.
The course examines many of the central issues in Information Literacy and information research processes. Topics include an introduction to information literacy best practices, research strategies, Google, online and print resources, and citation styles. Students will gain an understanding of copyright, fair use, plagiarism, and information ethics. The culture and theory of contemporary information related issues will be covered as well.
The professors will review and highlight important print and electronic resources related to research at Pratt Institute. While a basic understanding and appreciation of specialized print and electronic resources is beneficial, the emphasis of this course will be on developing an understanding of the fundamental skills and knowledge vital to successful scholarship.
The course will include in class and take home exercises and research activities. The class will be team taught by two Pratt Institute Librarians. Guest lecturers may be invited.
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Goals
- To introduce and develop a critical understanding of issues regarding library research
- To develop appropriate search strategies
- To selecting appropriate resources
- To gain a familiarity with standard print and electronic resources
- To effectively perform searches (print & electronic)
- To synthesize information (extracting, synopsizing, & paraphrasing)
- To understand the relationship between print and electronic research tools
- To practice and apply critical reasoning skills through in-class discussions and presentations
- To understand plagiarism and appropriation
- To cite any source correctly
- To prepare students for success in performing research in a library
Objectives
- Understand the need for accurate and authoritative information
- Understand how to select a topic
- Understand how to develop a thesis question/statement
- Understand how to convert a thesis statement into keywords
- Understand how to develop appropriate search strategies
- Understand how to select appropriate resources
- Understand how to effectively perform searches (print & electronic)
- Understand how to evaluate information
- Understand how to synthesize information (extracting, synopsizing, & paraphrasing information)
- Understand how to adjust a topic and or a thesis based upon information retrieved
- Understand how to cite information appropriately and avoiding plagiarism
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Requirements
Class attendance/participation, course readings, in-class assignments, homework and a research portfolio are required of each student. Attendance is based on the guidelines provided in the 2004-2005 Pratt Institute Graduate Bulletin, p. 214: one unexcused absence will result in expulsion from the course. More than one absence will result in expulsion from the course. For further explanation please refer to the bulletin.
Methods of Assessment/Grades
Grading Policy
Grades will range from A to F based on the following assignments (see below) and class participation. For further explanation please refer to pp. 201-202 of the Pratt Institute Graduate Bulleting 2004-2005.
Final Project: 45%
Students will demonstrate their development with regard to both information literacy and the information search process through the completion of a research portfolio and annotated bibliography. Students will choose a topic during the first week of class and complete elements of their research through assignments each week. The final research portfolio will include weekly assignments, research journal entries, an annotated bibliography, and a brief essay. The evaluation/grade will be based on the following: methodology, presentation of research, and style. Please refer to and use the MLA Style Guide, 7th edition when drafting your research paper and bibliography.
Final Presentation: 15%
During the last class meeting students will present and discuss the results of their research.
In Class Assignments & Weekly Take-Home Assignments: 15%
In class each week students will be presented with a series of exercises intended to reinforce some of the methodologies and concepts introduced in the readings and lectures. Students will have the option to work in groups or independently.
Successful and timely completion of weekly assignments is critical. All assignments must be brought, completed, to class on the day they are due. For every day (24 hours from the end of the class period) an assignment is late one-half of a letter grade will be deducted.
Participation in class discussions of weekly readings: 25%
The ability to comment on and discuss assigned readings as well as direct selected readings toward a critical understanding of current problems in Information Literacy and/or information research. Students will be required to briefly discuss weekly readings.
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Field trips, Guests, Museum Gallery Visits
In-class visits to the Brooklyn Campus Library
Structure
This course consists of lectures, discussions, exercises, and in class activities. Students are expected to do all assigned readings, to examine reference materials as assigned, to come to class prepared to discuss readings, to complete all assignments, and to actively participate.
Attendance and Participation
Prompt Attendance at all class meetings is required.
A student who must be absent from a class meeting still has certain responsibilities:
- To inform the professor in advance, or if advance notice is not possible, as soon after the absence as possible (see above for phone numbers/email address)
- To arrange for delivery to the professor of any assignment due at the class meeting. Faxes and emailed papers will not be accepted
- To obtain notes, handouts, etc. from a classmate (in anticipation of this need, each student is advised to exchange telephone numbers with one or two others in the class).
Points are deducted for:
- Unexcused absences
- Coming late to class
- Leaving class early.
Active participation includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Being informed by assigned readings and demonstrating this by contributing to class discussions,
- Asking relevant questions or challenging points raised in class,
- Suggesting new ways of looking at things.
Written Work
These guidelines must be followed for all assignments and papers. Assignments that do not meet these standards will be returned to the student for resubmission before grading. Proofread all work, whether it is a blog entry or a printed paper, before submitting it.
- Students must always keep second copies of all assignments that are turned in. In the case of a piece of written work becoming lost, regardless of fault, it is the responsibility of the student to provide a second copy.
- Papers are to be typed, double spaced with at least 1” margins on all sides of the paper. Use no less than 12-point type and number all pages.
- All assignments are to be free from spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors.
- Assignments will be prepared in accordance with the MLA (Modern Language Association) style available at http://www.library.mcgill.ca/human/subguide/pdf/mla.pdf and at http://lib.pratt.edu/public/mla.pdf. This includes underlining all titles of books or databases and placing quotation marks around all article titles.
- Papers are due at the beginning of class on the dates noted. Late papers will be marked down one letter grade unless the student has obtained prior permission of the professor (in the case of illness, etc.).
- All material quoted or paraphrased from another source must be properly cited.
- All blog entries must adhere to the same standards for clarity, spelling, grammar, typographical errors and citations as printed papers.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones are to be set to vibrate or turned off during class.
Student Agreement
Attendance at this class signifies that the student has agreed to abide by and adhere to the policies and regulations specified above. It is understood that the instructor may adapt or change this syllabus and the assignments contained within it according to circumstances that may arise during the course of the class.
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