| Time | T & Th, 1:10 - 2:25 p.m. |
| Location | Zuhl Library Instruction Room (Rm. 123) |
| Instructor | Susan E. Beck |
| Office | Rm. 119, Zuhl Library--Reference Office Suite |
| Phone | 646-6171 |
| susabeck@lib.nmsu.edu | |
| Office Hours | Mondays 4:00-5:00 pm. & by appointment |
| Course Webpage | http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/lsc311/02fall2000/ |
This course has been certified as one in New Mexico State University's General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). The GECC attempts to foster intelligent inquiry, abstract logical thinking, critical analysis and the integration and synthesis of knowledge; it strives for literacy in writing, reading, speaking and listening; it teaches mathematical structures; it acquaints students with precise abstract thought about numbers and space; it encourages an understanding of science and scientific inquiry; it provides a historical consciousness, including an understanding of one's own heritage as well as respect for other peoples and cultures; it includes an examination of values and stresses the importance of a carefully considered values system; and it fosters an appreciation of the arts. To summarize, general education provides the breadth necessary to have a familiarity with the various branches of human understanding.
Information Literacy, a Viewing a Wider World course, is designed to help you become a full participant in our Information Society. Both practical and theoretical in scope, LSC 311 uses a mixture of lecture, in-class and electronic discussions, hands-on assignments, and written research projects to give you the technological skills and critical thinking abilities you need to use the printed and electronic information resources found in libraries and on the international computer networks collectively known as the Internet. Once you successfully complete this course you will be able to think critically about research strategies, and be able to locate and critically evaluate information, applying these skills and new-found knowledge to your academic courses and in your professional and personal life.
Goal 1. Students will understand how information is organized, stored, and disseminated.
Specific Objectives: Students will understand, applying this knowledge in class and in their assignments,
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The purpose and functions of classification systems |
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The purpose and functions of library catalogs |
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Standard database principles, including structure, controlled vocabulary, precision and recall |
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The distinguishing characteristics, functions, and purpose of reference sources |
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The differences between scholarly journals, trade publications, and magazines |
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The differences between primary and secondary sources |
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The differences and similarities between print and electronic information resources |
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The types of information most readily available on the Internet |
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The differences between Internet search engines and directories |
Specific Objectives: Students will understand, applying this knowledge in class and in their assignments,
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That information-seeking is a non-linear process that involves making many decisions |
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The diversity of information resources and formats |
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the different searching techniques required by different information sources and formats |
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the search language appropriate to the source (such as controlled vocabulary, natural language) |
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online search techniques such as Boolean operators and truncation |
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that the components of the information search process are transferable and can meet a variety of information needs |
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which kinds of tools will help to find which kinds of information |
Specific Objectives: Students will understand, applying this knowledge in class and in their assignments,
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Criteria used to evaluate information for its content, bias, accuracy, and relevance |
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How to distinguish between popular and scholarly resources |
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How primary and secondary sources differ |
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The difference between fact and opinion |
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The publishing process as opposed to publishing on the Internet |
Specific Objectives: Students will understand, applying this knowledge in class and in their assignments,
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The publication sequence of information |
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That knowledge and information are constantly changing |
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How the scholarly communication process is influenced by the Internet and publishers |
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That information is a commodity that is generated, controlled, and disseminated |
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The socio-economic-political issues affecting the access of information throughout history. Among these are copyright, the right to privacy, intellectual property |
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The complex issues of preserving all forms of information including costs, responsibilities, formats, use |
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The ethics of information use: a historical and present day understanding of copyright and intellectual property rights; the importance of citing sources; the gravity of plagiarism |
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The past and present issues relating to censorship and intellectual freedom |
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The development of the Internet and issues concerning its regulation |
| Requirement | Points |
| Information reviews (3) | 150 |
| Hands-on assignments (5) | 200 |
| Quizzes & in class assignments | 125 |
| Topic Choice and Rough Drafts for Final Project (2) | 125 |
| Final Paper & Annotated Bibliography | 250 |
| Final Examination | 150 |
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TOTAL |
1,000 |
| A | 900 -1000 |
| B | 800 - 899 |
| C | 700 - 799 |
| D | 600 - 699 |
| F | Below 600 |
(Thorough descriptions will be given when assignments are made)
A reference source - 50 pts.
A
scholarly journal - 50 pts.
An Internet information source - 50 pts.
There will be five hands-on assignments. These require you to find, use and evaluate different information resources and protocols. The objective is twofold: 1. These assignments help you practice using information tools and resources; 2. They also require you to search out, retrieve and evaluate resources for your annotated bibliography. Sometimes, but not always, class time will be used to complete these assignments.
On a fairly regular basis, there will be quizzes covering the course readings, and in-class assignments that will be graded. You will also be expected to lead the discussion on one of the assigned readings.
You will have a final exam. It will consist of multiple choice, short answer items, problem sets and brief essay questions. All test items will be based on material covered and/or discussed in class and in the assigned readings. The final examination is designed to reward students who regularly attend class, participate in class discussions, and keep up with the readings.
Available from the NMSU Bookstore. Also on reserve at the Circulation Desk in Zuhl Library.
Other assigned readings will be distributed in
class or posted on the class web page.
(http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/lsc311/02fall2000/readings.html)
You
are expected to have read the assigned readings before class. You will be
tested on this material.
You are required to join the electronic discussion group, lsc311-02.
| Days late | Deduction |
| During class | 10% |
| At the end of class | 20% |
| After class to 3 days | 50% |
| 4 days or more | 100% |
Cell phone use during class is prohibited. If for some reason you need bring a cell phone or a pager to class, please discuss your situation with me ahead of time.
If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency, or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with me and/or the Director of Disabled Students Programs. If you have general questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), call 646-3635.
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You are welcome to use and make a print copy these materials for educational purposes, but please credit the source as: LSC 311 Information Literacy, New Mexico State University, and cite the individual author of the modules you use. Please do not copy the source code of any of these pages and load them locally. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Susan E. Beck at susabeck@lib.nmsu.edu