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Course Description

Exploration of research concepts in library science and information technology with an emphasis on the evolution of information, trends and issues in using online catalogs, subscription databases, evaluating online material, and using web sites for research. Required course for Information Technology Minor.    

Course Objectives

• To understand the various definitions of information
• To gain a basic knowledge of the historical developments of information technologies over time
• To understand the role of librarians and libraries
• To understand how libraries use technology for information organization, storage, access, and retrieval
• To gain interdisciplinary proficiency in seeking information via electronic subscription databases and library catalogs
• To recognize the difference between the World Wide Web, library catalogs, and subscription databases available via the Internet
• To gain proficiency in seeking information via the World Wide Web
• To critically evaluate information
• To become knowledgeable about information-related issues facing libraries and higher education

Contacting the Instructor & Office Hours

The best way to reach me is by email (radomr at uncw dot edu). I will usually respond to your email within 24 hours, often sooner. I do not keep set office hours because I am at the library reference desk on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. and every other Tuesday from 5-10 p.m.  Feel free to visit me at the reference desk for help with this class or with any other research. You may also stop by my office (Randall Library 2078), schedule an appointment with me, or IM me. See my contact information above.

Course Outline

The course can be divided into three main areas. The first weeks are spent developing research skills, with topics including library organization, library collections, and methods of conducting research using a variety of resources. The focus then shifts to establishing a foundational understanding of information, media, and information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as cultivating critical thinking skills. Finally, issues involving ICTs and society in the information age are discussed.

An outline of course topics can be found below.   A more detailed outline is available on the Moodle site for this class. Students will be expected to check Moodle frequently for calendar updates, assignments, and other course-related information. More information about Moodle will be given in class.

There is no required text book for this class.

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Course Policies

Attendance
Your grade depends largely on in-class work and participation. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each class. Your attendance will play a major part in your final grade; your grade will suffer if you miss classes. If you are absent, any in-class work, such as a worksheet, must be made up within a week of your absence and you will receive a maximum of half credit for it. It is your responsibility to get notes from other students if you miss a class.

Academic Integrity
Plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone found cheating or plagiarizing the work of others will receive a “0” for the assignment or exam. Further disciplinary action may be taken. Please become familiar with the Academic Honor Code if you have any questions.

Courtesy
Be courteous. Respect the right of all individuals to hold their own opinions. Please arrive to class on time; lectures will not be restarted.

Preparation
Assigned readings should be read before class so that we can discuss them as a group. Pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester.

Assignments
Assignments are due on the day listed on the course calendar. Points will be deducted for late assignments. Descriptions of the assignments will be given in class.

Cell Phones
Keep your cell phones quiet during class and do not answer them unless absolutely necessary. If you must take a call, please leave the classroom.

Food and Drink
Please be tidy. All drinks must have lids. Do not distract others when eating or drinking.

Special Accommodations
Please inform me of any disabilities or necessary accommodations by the second week of classes.


Grading 

A  100-90%

B  89-80%

C  79-70%

D   69-60%

F  59% or less

Using the scale above, your grade will be determined by the following:

Assignments (65% of Total Grade)
Annotated Bibliography	25%
Blog	15%
Group Database Presentation	15%
Worksheets & Wiki	10%
Exams (20% of Total Grade)
Midterm Exam	10%
Final Exam	10%
Participation (15% of Total Grade)
Participation & Pop Quizzes	15%

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Important Due Dates

Varies	Ongoing Blog Assignment (due every other Wednesday)
Feb. 27	Midterm Exam
Mar. 26	Group Database Presentations
Apr. 7 Apr. 9	Annotated Bibliography - Part 1
Apr. 28	Annotated Bibliography - Part 1 (revised) & Part 2 AND Final Exam

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Course Outline

A more detailed outline can be found on the Moodle for this class.

Libraries & Research Skills

Tours of Randall Library, Archives, Special Collections, & More

Library Organization

Library Catalog

Types of Library Resources

Scholarly Journals & Articles

Citation Styles & Plagiarism

History of the Internet & the Web

The Deep (or Invisible) Web

Electronic Article Databases

Search Strategies

Evaluating Statistics

Media, News, ICTs & Information

ICTs & Libraries

Blogs & Netiquette

News & the Information Cycle

Media Ownership

Critical Thinking

Issues in the Information Society

The Digital Divide

Censorship & Internet Filtering

The First Amendment & Libraries

Privacy

Copyright

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