Bryant & Stratton College
Course Syllabus COMM 150 Introduction to Information Literacy and Research
Semester Credit Hours: 3 Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Internship: 0
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Caroline DaSilva MEETING TIME: M 6p-850p //ROOM 111
Skills Assistance Time: After most classes; during labs; & by appointment TERM: Spring 2010
PREREQUISITE(S)
None COREQUISITE(S)
INSM180 History and Practice of Information Systems Date of Last Revision
Spring 2010
PROFICIENCY AVAILABLE: YES RESEARCH REQUIRED: YES
COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Students will study the evolution of information and the impact of technology on research. Students will learn how to access, evaluate, and synthesize acquired research. The research process and papers include a history of the careers along with the assignments on how changes in technology have impacted the communication processes in the career field.
LIFELONG LEARNING:
Bryant & Stratton College seeks to develop lifelong learning competencies in all students through the development of information literacy skills that assist students to formulate essential questions, research and apply the answers, and communicate the results within the dynamic communities of college, career, and life.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Assess how modern society represents, processes, and communicates information through technology-driven channels. This will include a study of how society has used technology in the past to communicate specific messages.
2. Evaluate how technology can represent findings in a variety of textual and graphic methods that rely on low, medium, and high technology communication platforms.
3. Effectively use public access catalogs, bibliographies, and full-text and bibliographic databases.
4. Develop and refine search techniques for electronic, print, and Internet resources.
5. Identify different information formats and then choose the most appropriate format(s) for each research need.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of political, social, legal, economic, and intellectual property issues relevant to print and electronic resources and successfully avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement.
7. Evaluate information for reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view.
8. Cite bibliographic references in APA format, properly instructing bibliographies and reference lists in research papers and assignments.
9. Investigate personal and professional interests, strengths and skills.
10. Perform research on career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
11. Complete a written career-related research project. Present research findings on career development and lifelong learning through discussion and other oral presentation formats.
PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
The Portfolio Development Day Seminar is intended to provide introduction and support to the Portfolio Development Process. Participation and completion of assessment, due at the conclusion of the seminar, will represent 5% of the final grade.
INSTITUTIONAL OUTCOMES:
Bryant & Stratton College is a lifelong learning institution committed to teaching people “how to learn” and to value lifelong learning related to career longevity. To complement the technical program outcomes associated with a career field, the College supports the following institutional outcomes within all degree programs.
As a result of their Bryant & Stratton College experience, graduates develop critical skills and should be able to:
1. Employ information literacy skills through the effective use of technology and information resources to accomplish a goal.
2. Pursue new learning opportunities within their community and career for personal and professional growth.
3. Develop thinking processes and utilize learning strategies to understand their metacognitive abilities.
4. Transfer knowledge from life lessons and formal instruction to new situations as evidence of relational learning.
5. Demonstrate proficient mathematic and communication (written and oral) skills as required in the workplace.
MEDIA/EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
Bryant & Stratton College faculty, as content area experts, selected the following media package for this course. A decision was made from these approved packages and is reflected on the supplemental syllabus.
YOUR TIME COMMITMENT NECESSARY TO EARN COURSE CREDIT:
Bryant & Stratton College would like you to know what will be expected of you to succeed in this course. Each student will participate in the scheduled in-class hours (three 50-minute contact hours – 150 minutes – each week) and dedicate an approximate total of 90 hours during the term for out-of-class preparation and work time. Please schedule yourselves accordingly.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT:
During this course you will be required to complete at least one authentic assessment that enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills through performances or projects that simulate “real world” working situations. You must earn a grade of 70% or higher in order to pass each evaluation. A non-graded diagnostic assessment is provided at the beginning of the course to discover your level of knowledge in order to guide you toward successful completion of course requirements. Your instructor will provide specific grading criteria for this class as well as a detailed list of all assignments and assessments, including the value each will have fro your final grade for the course. By the end of Week 7, your instructor will inform you of your progress in this course.
POLICY ON ASSESSMENT DUE DATES:
Bryant & Stratton’s College educational philosophy is to provide each student with an opportunity to actively learn and demonstrate competencies needed in today’s high performance workplace. Opportunities will be made available for you to reach your maximum learning potential. Until the instructor-assigned due date, you will be able to review, revise, and/or rework your assessments. Just as in the workplace, it is expected that you will complete all assignments and assessments by the due date. Your instructor may deduct credit for assignments turned in after the due date.
SKILLS ASSISTANCE: (supplemental learning options determined by your instructor)
You will be required to attend Skills Assistance if your instructor determines, at any time during the semester, that you need additional help in order to progress successfully in the course. At Skills Assistance you will be able to receive additional help to address deficiencies, answer questions, and identify strategies to be successful in this course. Skills Assistance meeting times and place will be provided by your instructor.
PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE:
Bryant & Stratton College believes regular class attendance is necessary for you to receive the maximum benefit from your education, as well as to develop the professional work habits and attitudes highly valued by the business community. In order to successfully attain your college degree, you must be committed to your course of study and demonstrate that commitment through regular class attendance, active participation in the learning experience, and completion of all assigned work. It is your responsibility to make arrangements with your instructors to receive any assignments you may have missed as a result of absences.
Absences are recorded daily, become a part of your permanent record, and may be referred to by future employers. Attendance is taken in all classes and labs, at your internship site, and during all mandatory skills assistance sessions.
