University of Denver

Library & Information Science

Course Syllabus

LIS 4361 Internet Reference and Research

3 Quarter Hours

 

Quarter: Summer 2012; June 21 - August 16
Schedule: Thursdays 7:00 - 9:20 PM
Place:

305 Ruffatto Hall

Instructor: Christopher C. Brown, Penrose Library, Reference / Government Documents Librarian

Phone: (303) 871-3404 (work - voicemail); (303) 359-7460 (cell)

E-mail: cbrown@du.edu NOTE: All e-mail addressed to the instructor MUST have LIS4361 as the first part of the subject line. Failure to do so may result in your e-mail not being read.

Web site: http://www.du.edu/~cbrown/

Class Web Page: Access via Blackboard.
Course Description: This course, designed for providing reference services with the Internet as the primary tool, will examine the technologies and protocols that make up the Internet, uncover strengths and weaknesses of search engines, and give instruction on mining the Internet for research information. Special topics will include locating statistical information, citation verification, evaluation of content, citing Internet sources, integrating the Internet with traditional reference service, and publishing on the Internet.
Course Objectives To gain an understanding the role of the Internet in global communications, its relationship to information access, and its usefulness in professional reference work

To identify kinds of information available on the Internet and that which is not

To gain an awareness of future trends dealing with the Internet

To be able to find virtually any findable Web site or document on the Internet

To be competent at evaluating Internet sites

To cite Internet resources properly

Assignments: Weekly assignments to be posted on class Web site. Do not work ahead on assignments, as there may be changes. All assignments must be submitted using the Blackboard Digital Drop Box.

Assignments are due as posted on the syllabus. Assignment turned in after the due date are docked 5% for each week they are late.

Redo Policy: Each student may do a "redo" on homework assignments. The redo cannot be submitted to BlackBoard, but must be emailed to cbrown@du.edu.

Final assignment due on the last class: Create a annotated "Internet pathfinder" of between 30-50 entries on a topic mutually agreed upon between student and professor.

Pathfinders must be done in the Library Schools' Libguides module.


 Note: This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the learning environment.
Grading Criteria: Weekly assignments: 50%

Final pathfinder project: 50%

Grading Scale: A 95-100%
A- 90-94%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 60-66%
F <60%

 

 

Date Topic Assignments
Week 1
21 June

Background of the Internet; Class Orientation

Notes

Week 2
28 June

Background of the Internet, cont.

Notes

Assignment Due

Week 3
5 July

Examining Search Engines

Notes

Assignment Due

Turn in your Pathfinder topics via email.

Week 4
12 July

The Hidden Internet: Where Search Engines Can’t Go

Notes

Assignment Due

Week 5
19 July

Evaluating Internet Content

Using the Internet for Citation Verification

Citing the Internet

Style manuals; citation formats

Notes

Assignment Due
Week 6
26 July

Role of the Three Googles in Research (Google Web, Google Scholar, Google Books)

Notes

Assignment Due
Week 7
2 Aug.

No Class Tonight

Use this time to work on your final project.
Week 8
9 Aug.

Business information

Notes

Assignment Due
Week 9
16 Aug.

In-class presentation of pathfinders.


Pathfinders Due - please email your URLs to me.

 

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All members of the University community are entrusted with the responsibility of observing certain ethical goals and values as they relate to academic integrity. Essential to the fundamental purpose of the University is the commitment to the principles of truth and honesty. The Honor Code is designed so that responsibility for upholding these principles lies with the individual as well as the entire community.

The Honor Code fosters and advances an environment of ethical conduct in the academic community of the University, the foundation of which includes the pursuit of academic honesty and integrity. Through an atmosphere of mutual respect we enhance the value of our education and bring forth the highest standard of academic excellence. Members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees, must not commit any intentional misrepresentation or deception in academic or professional matters.
All members of the University community are entrusted with the responsibility of observing certain ethical goals and values as they relate to academic integrity. Essential to the fundamental purpose of the University is the commitment to the principles of truth and honesty. The Honor Code is designed so that responsibility for upholding these principles lies with the individual as well as the entire community.

The Honor Code fosters and advances an environment of ethical conduct in the academic community of the University, the foundation of which includes the pursuit of academic honesty and integrity. Through an atmosphere of mutual respect we enhance the value of our education and bring forth the highest standard of academic excellence. Members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees, must not commit any intentional misrepresentation or deception in academic or professional matters.

RATIONALE. The Code was developed following discussions among a broad range of constituencies within the University encompassing students, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees. The Honor Code is a living document that will evolve with time. In order to better foster and advance an environment of ethical conduct in the academic community of the University both substantive requirements and enforcement procedures may be amended by the University to reflect experience gained from its implementation.
AUTHORITY. Any modification of the Honor Code, other than to the procedures governing its enforcement, must be approved by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation from the Provost. Modifications and variations in procedures governing enforcement of the Code, including the use of alternative procedures in specific context as mandated by federal or state law, are subject to the approval of the Provost. In addition, upon recommendation from a Dean or the Faculty Senate, the Provost, in his or her sole discretion, may permit individual units or divisions of the University to adopt and implement area-specific descriptions of conduct violative of the Honor Code, provided that such descriptions do not authorize or condone conduct prohibited by, or inconsistent with, the Code.
ENFORCEMENT. The University of Denver Honor Code Procedures Governing Students shall govern and be followed in the case of any student at the University who is accused of violating the Honor Code. The University’s Faculty Personnel Guidelines Relating to Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure shall govern and be followed in the case of any faculty member who is accused of violating the Honor Code. The University’s Employee Handbook of Personnel Guidelines & Procedures shall govern and be followed in the case of any non-faculty employee who is accused of violating the Honor Code. The By-Laws, or other Board policies, of Colorado Seminary or the University of Denver shall govern and be followed in the case of any trustee who is accused of violating the Honor Code. Any conflict or dispute concerning which procedure governs in the enforcement of this Honor Code shall be resolved by the Provost, or, in the case of the trustees, by the Board of Trustees.