Syllabus

Time	M & W, 3:30 - 4:45 PM
Location	New Library Instruction Room (Rm. 123)
Instructor	Susan E. Beck
Office	Rm. 116, New Library
Phone	646-6171
E-mail	susabeck@lib.nmsu.edu
Office Hours	Mondays, 2-3 pm, Tuesdays, 4-5 pm & by appointment
Course Webpage	http://lib.nmsu.edu/staff/susabeck/lsc311/

Course Description

LSC 311, Information Literacy, 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 locate and critically evaluate information, applying these skills and new-found knowledge to your academic courses and in your professional and personal life.

Course Requirements and Grading

Brief Explanation of Course Requirements

Thorough descriptions will be given when assignments are made.

Information Reviews (150 pts.)

You will hand in three written reviews for three different types of sources:

A reference source - 50 pts.

A scholarly journal - 50 pts.

An Internet information source - 50 pts.

Hands-on Assignments (200 pts)

These require you to find, use and evaluate different information resources and protocols. The objective is to help you practice using information tools and resources. Sometimes, but not always, class time will be used to complete these assignments. (20 pts. each)

Final Paper & Annotated Bibliography (250 pts)

Your final project has two parts:

1. Annotated bibliography on an instructor-approved topic of your choice - 100 pts.
2. Evaluative essay that discusses and evaluates both your research process and your topic - 150 pts.

You will probably want to begin to collect sources for your bibliography early in the semester.

Attendance and discussions (100 pts)

Mandatory. Period.

Because a major part of the course involves practical applications, you must attend class to learn the applications. Thus, numerous absences will detract from your grade. 100 pts. During the course of the semester we will be discussing issues, theories and practices all relating to the broad area of information literacy. Discussions will be both in-class and electronic (via the class listserv). You are expected to participate in the these discussions.

If you miss	Your attendance grade will be
0-3 classes	A
4-6 classes	B
7-9 classes	C
10-12 classes	D
13+ classes	F

Reflective e-mails to class listserv (100 pts)

You will post four reflective discussions to the class listserv. Each of the four will discuss or analyze a class reading, or a lecture discussion topic, or a guest speaker's session, or another topic of interest to the class. These essays will be graded. It will be your responsibility to pick a topic, compose a brief essay and post it to the class listserv.

Examinations (200 pts)

Both the mid-term and the final examinations will consist of multiple choice, short answer items and brief essay questions, all based on material covered and/or discussed in class and in assigned readings. Examinations are designed to reward students who regularly attend class, participate in class discussions and keep up with the readings. 100 pts. each.

Text

The text, titled simply LSC 311 Information Literacy, is a custom published collection of the required readings for the class. It is available from the NMSU Bookstore. Several copies should be available at the ASNMSU Booksale. I also have a couple of copies that I am selling, at reduced cost, for students from last semester. See me if you are interested. Other readings will be distributed in class or posted on the class web page (http://lib.nmsu.edu/staff/susabeck/lsc311/readings.html)

Computer Account & E-mail

You will need to have a UNIX (Dante) computer account for this course. These are available free of charge to all NMSU students. You may get your NMSU e-mail through the computer center, either in-person or via their web page (http://aams.nmsu.edu/account/screen1.html). If you do not have a computer account, please see me right away. You are required to join the electronic discussion group, LSC 311-02.

Course Rules

All due dates for assignments are firm. Late assignments will receive the following deductions:

Days late	Deduction
1	25%
2 - 6	50%
7+	100%

Please be on time. I will not repeat or update you on material missed because of tardiness.

Anyone who willfully damages, steals, or makes inaccessible to others library materials or computer resources will be dropped from the course.

Reading or sending e-mail, surfing the web, printing or using other applications on the PCs during lectures or presentations is unacceptable. The classroom will be open 15-30 minutes before or after class for this purpose.

Use caution in sending e-mail from classroom PCs. Nothing is private. You will be held responsible for what you do with and on the machines.

Plagiarism is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Cite all your sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you have or think you may have a disability that interferes with your academic progress, you may contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 646-6840 (voice) or 646-1918 (TTY) for an appointment. Services for Students with Disabilities is located in Garcia Annex, Room 102. Current and appropriate Documentation will be required in order to receive services.

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Created January 12, 1998
by Susan E. Beck
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM

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You are welcome to use and 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. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Susan E. Beck at susabeck@lib.nmsu.edu