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 |
|
| Week 2 28 June |
Background of the Internet, cont. |
|
| Week 3 5 July |
Examining Search Engines |
Turn in your Pathfinder topics via email. |
| Week 4 12 July |
The Hidden Internet: Where Search Engines Can’t Go |
|
| Week 5 19 July |
Evaluating Internet Content Using the Internet for Citation Verification Citing the Internet Style manuals; citation formats |
Assignment Due |
| Week 6 26 July |
Role of the Three Googles in Research (Google Web, Google Scholar, Google Books) |
Assignment Due |
| Week 7 2 Aug. |
No Class Tonight
|
Use this time to work on your final project. |
| Week 8 9 Aug. |
Business information |
Assignment Due |
| Week 9 16 Aug. |
In-class presentation of pathfinders. |
Pathfinders Due - please email your URLs to me. |
The University Honor Code 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. 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. |