General Studies 153 - Research on the Internet

Fall 2004

 

Instructor: Curt Asher

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: This course is an introduction to Internet research tools and sources.  Students will be instructed in effective information searching and evaluation skills and expected to apply these skills to a variety of topics. Students will demonstrate both a practical and conceptual understanding of the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web.  Each student will be required to construct his or her own research bibliography as a final project.

Email:  casher@csub.edu
Telephone:   664-3251
Office: Library 116F
Office hours: By appointment
Grading: 100-90 A   EVALUATION: Students will be evaluated on the total points they earn in the class. 
89-80 B
  79-70 C SIx worksheets, each worth five points, will allow students to practice the concepts and strategies discussed in class and gain experience with the Internet tools. These are in-class/homework assignments. Total points for the six worksheets- 30
69-60 D
59-0 F
Microsoft Word version of policies Three quizzes, each worth ten points, will test students' conceptual understanding of the readings and lectures.  Total points for the three quizzes- 30
One final project. Students will construct a bibliography with links to twenty web-based scholarly or professional resources on an approved topic. Total points for the final project- 30
Participation and attendance.  Total points for participation and attendance- 10
 

Syllabus and schedule subject to change

SCHEDULE

This class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m.

Wednesday, September 15, 2004 Introduction-
Required reading: Class handout

Recommended reference: Glossary of Library Terms, from Cornell University Library.
http://campusgw.library.cornell.edu/newhelp/glossary.html

Class expectations.  Terminology used in this class.
   
Monday, September 20, 2004 What is the Internet? Part 1
Recommended reference: Glossary of Internet & Web Jargon, from UC Berkeley - Teaching Library Internet Workshops, http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/
Guides/Internet/Glossary.html
The history and background of the Internet. Breaking down a web page.
   
Wednesday, September 22, 2004  WORKSHEET 1
Required reading: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu
/TeachingLib/Guides/Evaluation.html

 

Discussion of the readings and class exercise.
   
Monday, September 27, 2004 Attributes of the World Wide Web.  Breaking down a web page
Required readingEvaluating Websites Evaluating websites. Why using the Web for academic research requires caution.
   
Wednesday, September 29, 2004 Evaluating a web site for research value.
WORKSHEET 2
Assignment links
Required reading: Hutcherson, Norman B., "Library Jargon: Student Recognition of Terms and Concepts Commonly Used by Librarians in the Classroom" in College and Research Libraries.  65 (4) July 2004. p. 349-354. Examine the tables in this article carefully to prepare for Monday's quiz.
   
Monday, October 4, 2004 Quiz 1
Required reading: Handout Brief review of Internet and library concepts and terminology .
   
Wednesday, October 6, 2004 Library home page.  A look at the Internet research tools available to you.
Required reading: Frequently asked questions about Interlibrary Loan
/ILLiad/FAQ.html
The catalog and Interlibrary Loan
   
Monday, October 11, 2004 WORKSHEET 3
  Locating bibliographic resources.
   
Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Library home page. 
Required reading: Handout Journal indexes and searching for articles
   
Monday, October 18, 2004 WORKSHEET 4
  Finding articles
   
Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Quiz 2
   
   
Monday, October 25, 2004 Official sources of information- Government documents
   
   
Wednesday, October 27, 2004 Official sources - the law
   
   
Monday, November 1, 2004 WORKSHEET 5- Tracking legislation
   
   
Wednesday, November 3, 2004 The web for research- Commercial search engines and specialized search engines
   
   
Monday, November 8, 2004 WORKSHEET 6- Web searching
   
   
Wednesday, November 10, 2004 Quiz 3-
   
Monday-Wednesday, November 15-17, 2004 Individual help
   
   
Monday, November 22, 2004  
Bibliographies due Bibliographies due