LIBR 1101-04 -- Academic Research and
the Library
Spring 2012 -- M, W 10:00-10:52AM
Instructor: Andrew Walsh
Office: 319 Ingram Library (Turn right when exiting elevator on 3rd floor)
Office Hours: Monday 11:00am-12:00pm, Tuesday 3:00pm-4:00pm (Or by appointment)
Email: awalsh@westga.edu
Course Blog: libr1101uwg.blogspot.com
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the process of research. The digital age has brought forth a revolution in the types of information that we use on a daily basis and the ease with which we can access them. The increasing availability of online research resources, however, can be overwhelming and lead to confusion, frustration and indecision. LIBR 1101 is designed to help you build the new set of skills that we all need to be informed participants in the information age. Through assignments, readings and hands-on in-class activities, we will explore the process of finding, evaluating and using information sources in a variety of formats. While the class focuses on library resources and search strategies for conducting academic research, we will also cover topics such as social networks and other types of emerging new media. (Note: You are not required to purchase a textbook for this class. There will, however, be assigned “texts” that might include articles, online resources, videos, or podcasts.)
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the semester, an information literate UWG student will be able to:
1. Analyze and articulate his or her information needs and identify appropriate sources of information to meet those needs.
2. Understand the intellectual organization of information sources and apply that understanding in accessing information.
3. Effectively and efficiently access, evaluate, select and use needed information.
4. Demonstrate and understanding of the economic, legal and social issues surrounding the use of information of all types.
5. Identify functional areas of a library (both physical and virtual) and demonstrate the relationship to the research process.
6. Create a research product that incorporates appropriate information sources and research methodology.
Class Policies:
1. Questions and discussions are encouraged!
2. Participation is important, including attending class regularly and participating in discussions as well as in-class activities.
3. If you have problems in the course please let me know as soon as possible--if you aren’t understanding the material, there is really nothing I can do about it at the end of the semester.
4. If you anticipate not being able to turn an assignment in on time, please contact me as soon as possible and we might be able to make other arrangements. Any assignments that are received late without my prior authorization will lose one letter grade for each day they are late.
5. Extra credit assignments may be offered for this class at the discretion of the instructor. These opportunities will be announced in class.
6. Academic Honor Policy: All students are expected to strictly adhere to UWG’s policy of academic honesty that states, “At the University of West Georgia, we believe that academic and personal integrity are based upon honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. Students at West Georgia assume responsibility for upholding the honor code. West Georgia students pledge to refrain from engaging in acts that do not maintain academic and personal integrity. These include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, aid of academic dishonesty, lying, bribery or threats, and stealing.” (Appendix A of Student Handbook - http://www.westga.edu/~handbook/index.php?page=appendixa)
Grading Scale:
90-100% (900-1000 pts) A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% or below F
Components of Final Grade:
Blog Post Assignments (including comments) 25% (250 pts)
Final Research Project 37.5% (375pts)
Topic Selection Worksheet -- 50pts
State of the Project Presentation -- 50pts
Annotated Bibliography -- 125pts
Final Presentations + Peer Evaluation -- 150pts
Analysis of Personal Information Use 7.5% (75pts)
Mid-Term Exam 15% (150pts)
In-Class Activities 7.5% (75pts)
Class Participation 7.5% (75pts)
Total 100 % (1000 pts)
Blog Post Assignments (Ongoing)-- In this class you will create and maintain your own blog and post replies to prompts given by the instructor. After each class session you will be required to make a blog post of at least 150 words by the end of the following day. (For Monday classes, blog posts must be made by 10pm on Tuesday. For Wednesday classes, the post must be made by 10pm on Thursday.)
Blog Post Comments (Ongoing)-- In addition to writing your own posts, you will need to engage with your classmates’ blogs by posting comments. Each week, you must post one constructive comment of at least 50 words on someone else’s class blog. In most cases you can choose either the Monday or Wednesday post from that week, and your comment must be posted by 10pm on Friday.
Topic Selection Worksheet: due Wed, 2/6-- In Week 5 you will submit an assignment describing your chosen area of research for the rest of the class and answering some preliminary questions about sources.
Mid-Term Exam: Wed, 2/20 -- In Week 7 there will be a Mid-Term Exam completed in class on the topics covered during the first 6 weeks.
Analysis of Personal Information Use: due Wed, 3/6-- In Week 9 you will write a 500-750 word essay reflecting on your personal information consumption.
State of the Project Presentation: 3/25-3/27--In Week 12 you will make a short presentation in class on the progress of your research topic. You will also evaluate each other’s presentations and give suggestions on how to improve.
Annotated Bibliography: due Wed, 4/10 -- In Week 14 you will turn in an annotated bibliography with at least 8 sources for your ongoing research project.
Final Presentation: Wed, 4/24 --During the final exam period you will make a presentation to the class based on your major research project. You may create either a physical poster (on poster board) or a digital presentation (Powerpoint, Prezi presentation or another service) to display. You will also engage in peer evaluation with your classmates.
In-Class Activities (Ongoing) -- During certain class sessions you will complete short assignments in class and turn them in. These assignments will be related to the material covered in that class period and are a good way to gauge your understanding of the material. Some will be individual and others in groups, and you must be in class that day in order to receive full points.
Class Participation (Ongoing) – Participation points are awarded based on attending class regularly, being engaged and participating in discussions.
Spring 2012 -- M, W 10:00-10:52AM
Instructor: Andrew Walsh
Office: 319 Ingram Library (Turn right when exiting elevator on 3rd floor)
Office Hours: Monday 11:00am-12:00pm, Tuesday 3:00pm-4:00pm (Or by appointment)
Email: awalsh@westga.edu
Course Blog: libr1101uwg.blogspot.com
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the process of research. The digital age has brought forth a revolution in the types of information that we use on a daily basis and the ease with which we can access them. The increasing availability of online research resources, however, can be overwhelming and lead to confusion, frustration and indecision. LIBR 1101 is designed to help you build the new set of skills that we all need to be informed participants in the information age. Through assignments, readings and hands-on in-class activities, we will explore the process of finding, evaluating and using information sources in a variety of formats. While the class focuses on library resources and search strategies for conducting academic research, we will also cover topics such as social networks and other types of emerging new media. (Note: You are not required to purchase a textbook for this class. There will, however, be assigned “texts” that might include articles, online resources, videos, or podcasts.)
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the semester, an information literate UWG student will be able to:
1. Analyze and articulate his or her information needs and identify appropriate sources of information to meet those needs.
2. Understand the intellectual organization of information sources and apply that understanding in accessing information.
3. Effectively and efficiently access, evaluate, select and use needed information.
4. Demonstrate and understanding of the economic, legal and social issues surrounding the use of information of all types.
5. Identify functional areas of a library (both physical and virtual) and demonstrate the relationship to the research process.
6. Create a research product that incorporates appropriate information sources and research methodology.
Class Policies:
1. Questions and discussions are encouraged!
2. Participation is important, including attending class regularly and participating in discussions as well as in-class activities.
3. If you have problems in the course please let me know as soon as possible--if you aren’t understanding the material, there is really nothing I can do about it at the end of the semester.
4. If you anticipate not being able to turn an assignment in on time, please contact me as soon as possible and we might be able to make other arrangements. Any assignments that are received late without my prior authorization will lose one letter grade for each day they are late.
5. Extra credit assignments may be offered for this class at the discretion of the instructor. These opportunities will be announced in class.
6. Academic Honor Policy: All students are expected to strictly adhere to UWG’s policy of academic honesty that states, “At the University of West Georgia, we believe that academic and personal integrity are based upon honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. Students at West Georgia assume responsibility for upholding the honor code. West Georgia students pledge to refrain from engaging in acts that do not maintain academic and personal integrity. These include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, aid of academic dishonesty, lying, bribery or threats, and stealing.” (Appendix A of Student Handbook - http://www.westga.edu/~handbook/index.php?page=appendixa)
Grading Scale:
90-100% (900-1000 pts) A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% or below F
Components of Final Grade:
Blog Post Assignments (including comments) 25% (250 pts)
Final Research Project 37.5% (375pts)
Topic Selection Worksheet -- 50pts
State of the Project Presentation -- 50pts
Annotated Bibliography -- 125pts
Final Presentations + Peer Evaluation -- 150pts
Analysis of Personal Information Use 7.5% (75pts)
Mid-Term Exam 15% (150pts)
In-Class Activities 7.5% (75pts)
Class Participation 7.5% (75pts)
Total 100 % (1000 pts)
Blog Post Assignments (Ongoing)-- In this class you will create and maintain your own blog and post replies to prompts given by the instructor. After each class session you will be required to make a blog post of at least 150 words by the end of the following day. (For Monday classes, blog posts must be made by 10pm on Tuesday. For Wednesday classes, the post must be made by 10pm on Thursday.)
Blog Post Comments (Ongoing)-- In addition to writing your own posts, you will need to engage with your classmates’ blogs by posting comments. Each week, you must post one constructive comment of at least 50 words on someone else’s class blog. In most cases you can choose either the Monday or Wednesday post from that week, and your comment must be posted by 10pm on Friday.
Topic Selection Worksheet: due Wed, 2/6-- In Week 5 you will submit an assignment describing your chosen area of research for the rest of the class and answering some preliminary questions about sources.
Mid-Term Exam: Wed, 2/20 -- In Week 7 there will be a Mid-Term Exam completed in class on the topics covered during the first 6 weeks.
Analysis of Personal Information Use: due Wed, 3/6-- In Week 9 you will write a 500-750 word essay reflecting on your personal information consumption.
State of the Project Presentation: 3/25-3/27--In Week 12 you will make a short presentation in class on the progress of your research topic. You will also evaluate each other’s presentations and give suggestions on how to improve.
Annotated Bibliography: due Wed, 4/10 -- In Week 14 you will turn in an annotated bibliography with at least 8 sources for your ongoing research project.
Final Presentation: Wed, 4/24 --During the final exam period you will make a presentation to the class based on your major research project. You may create either a physical poster (on poster board) or a digital presentation (Powerpoint, Prezi presentation or another service) to display. You will also engage in peer evaluation with your classmates.
In-Class Activities (Ongoing) -- During certain class sessions you will complete short assignments in class and turn them in. These assignments will be related to the material covered in that class period and are a good way to gauge your understanding of the material. Some will be individual and others in groups, and you must be in class that day in order to receive full points.
Class Participation (Ongoing) – Participation points are awarded based on attending class regularly, being engaged and participating in discussions.
Class Calendar:
WEEK 1 (M 1/7 and W 1/9) -- Introduction/Orientation
WEEK 2 (M 1/14 and W 1/16) -- Evaluating Information
WEEK 3 (W 1/23) -- Introduction to Research
M 1/21 -- No Class Labor Day
WEEK 4 (1/28 and W 1/30) -- Types of Information Sources
WEEK 5 (M 2/4 and W 2/6) -- Intro to Search Strategies: Books and Articles
W 2/6 -- Assignment Due: Topic Selection Worksheet
WEEK 6 (M 2/11 and W 2/13) -- Advanced Search Strategies
WEEK 7 (M 2/18 and W 2/20) -- Rhetoric, Argument and Opinion
W 2/20 -- In-Class Exam
WEEK 8 (M 2/25 and W 2/27) -- Social Media Literacy and Expertise
WEEK 9 (M 3/4 and W 3/6) -- Personal Information Management
M 3/4 -- Last day to withdraw from class with a grade of W
W 3/6 -- Assignment Due: Analysis of Personal Information Consumption
WEEK 10 (M 3/11 and W 13) -- Work on State of the Project Presentations
WEEK 11 -- NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
WEEK 12 (M 3/25 and W 3/27) -- State of the Project Presentations
WEEK 13 (M 4/1 and W 4/3) -- Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
WEEK 14 (M 4/8 and W 4/10) -- Work on Annotated Bibliography
W 4/10 -- Assignment Due: Annotated Bibliography
WEEK 15 (4/15 and W 4/17) -- Putting it All Together
WEEK 16 (W 4/24) -- Final Presentations
W 4/24 -- Final Exam, 8:00-10:30am -- Assignment Due: Final Presentation
Note: Syllabus is subject to change.
LIBR 1101 Time Commitment
Per 34 CFR 600.2, the federal definition of a credit hour for a face-to-face college course is 750 minutes of class time plus 1500 minutes of out-of-class work. Since this course is 2 credit hours, that means we have 1500 minutes of class time and 3000 minutes of out-of-class work. This time is spread out across a 15-week semester (14 weeks of class plus a final exam).
The UWG class calendar has this course meeting twice a week for 52 minutes per class period for 14 week plus a 2.5 hour final exam meeting in Week 15. In order to comply with the federal definition of a credit hour, you are expected to do in addition to the time spent in class, approximately 210 minutes of work per week (about 3.5 hours).
3.5 hours/week is the average amount. Some weeks will have heavier workloads than other weeks. Some of you might be faster readers or slower writers; some readings are more difficult. Part of being successful in college is figuring out how long it takes you to do certain kinds of work. This course will help you learn how to estimate that.
In general, this course will require you to spend time each week on the following:
60
minutes
|
Reading
assigned texts, watching assigned videos, listening to assigned podcasts
|
75
minutes
|
Blog
posts (includes writing, reading others’ posts, and commenting)
|
75
minutes
|
Written
assignments & projects
|
210 minutes
|
TOTAL
|
The above are approximations and time
for individual students will vary by student and by week.
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