John F. Kennedy University
College of Undergraduate Studies
Information Literacy, COR 3146, Section 1
Fall Quarter, 2015
Instructor:
Jason Dezember
Telephone:
925-969-3112
Email:
jdezember@jfku.edu
Office Hours:
By appointment in Fisher Library
Class Days/Time:
Fridays, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, and 11/20, 4:30-7pm
Units:
2
Minimum hours per unit:
(1) For each week for approximately 15 weeks for one
semester unit, or for approximately 10-12 weeks for one
quarter unit:
(a) One hour of instructional activity, either in the
classroom, or online, or a combination of classroom and
online, and
(b) At least two hours of out-of-class student work,
OR
(2) The equivalent amount of work over a different amount of
time.
For purposes of class meeting time, 1 hour is defined as 50
minutes. Please note that the time spent on out-of-class
student work (preparation activities and assignments) may
exceed 2 hours per course unit hour each week.
Classroom:
Pleasant Hill Campus, Room TBA
Course Description
This course will expose you to the variety of library resources available at John F. Kennedy
University and help you to think critically about information. Though the Internet has made
accessing information easier than ever before, it has also helped create a very complicated
landscape of information requiring close scrutiny. Libraries remain essential to quality
academic research. In this class you will learn how to access, critically evaluate, and use
research tools such as reference books, electronic databases, library catalogs and the
Internet. The coursework will be comprised of a variety of weekly in-class and homework
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assignments, readings, discussions and quizzes. These exercises will provide the skills
necessary to collect, evaluate, and prioritize information to write essays and research
papers. By the end of the course, students will have chosen an appropriate research topic,
located and evaluated a number of scholarly sources, and created an annotated
bibliography of their research.
College Mission: Our Mission is to provide high quality innovative learning opportunities
that integrate theory, practice, and life experience in a synergistic collegiate environment.
Program Learning Outcomes
 Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking and writing
 Demonstrate proficiency in conducting academic research
 Translate ideas into different disciplinary contexts and understand ideas through
multicultural lenses
 Demonstrate effective team-building traits and ability to articulate the essential
characteristics of collaborative problem solving and systematic approaches to
decision making.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course you will:
 Become familiar with the information tools available through John F. Kennedy
University Library.
 Be able to develop a focused research strategy.
 Perform searches in the library catalog and interpret results.
 Conduct research in subscription online databases.
 Have an understanding of advanced online searching techniques.
 Review and evaluate information gathered by such criteria as: relevance,
scope, authority, currency, peer review process.
 Learn how to use the Internet appropriately for academic research.
 Be able to properly cite a variety of materials in APA format.
 Develop an awareness of information literacy issues.
Required Texts
All readings will be available online through the course website. Please see schedule of readings
below.
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Other equipment and material requirements
This course includes assignment that require online research. A functioning computer with
Internet access is required. Microsoft Word is the preferred program for completing
assignments.
Teaching Methodology
Lecture, face-to-face and online discussions, and hands-on searching exercises in class each
week.
Assignments
Week 1: Oct. 9-18 (1st meeting: Friday, Oct. 9, 4:30-7pm)
Topics: Course introduction, Information Literacy, Library Tour & Call Numbers, Choosing
a Research Topic, Creating a keyword search statement.
Readings:
 Information Literacy Presentation
 Searchpath: Modules 1 & 2
 Working with Topics website
 JFKU Libraries Home Page Guide
Assignment:
Discussion Board #1: Research Topics.
Following the guidelines in the readings, post your chosen research topic, which you will
use to research throughout the course. Do a preliminary search and post a few possible
sources you might use in a research paper. Comment on another student’s post. (Please see
full discussion assignment description on course site).
Due: Sunday, Oct. 18th before midnight.
Week 2: Oct. 19 - 25 (2nd Class Meeting, Friday, Oct. 23rd 4:30-7pm)
Topics: Using the library website, One Search & the catalog. Locating, citing and evaluating
books. Subject Headings (books)
Readings:
 Searchpath: Module 3 – Using the Catalog.
 Evaluating Books, CRAAP Test
 Prezi Slides: From Question to Search
 What is One Search?
 Guide to Ebrary Ebooks.
Videos:
3


JFKU Library Tutorials (Catalog, One Search, ILL, Course Reserves)
What is an Annotated Bibliography
Assignment:
Homework #1: Searching the Catalog, Evaluating Books.
In this assignment you will find two books on your chosen topic using the JFKU libraries’
catalog. You will choose one book to evaluate and cite both in APA format. (Follow full
instructions on assignment sheet).
Due: Sunday, Oct. 25th before midnight.
Week 3: Oct. 26th – Nov. 1st
Topics: Reference Sources, Wikipedia, Collective Wisdom vs. Traditional Scholarship
Readings:
 Critically Analyzing Information Sources
Assignment:
Discussion Board #2: Wikipedia.
Due: Sunday, November 1st before midnight.
Week 4: November 2nd – 8th (3rd Meeting, Friday, Nov. 6th, 4:30-7pm)
Topics: Databases and Indexes, Scholarly vs. Popular Journals, Finding Full-Text Articles,
keyword vs. subject searching. More on Boolean Logic and other Search Techniques.
Readings:
 Searchpath: Module 4 – Using Databases
 Boolean Search Tutorial
 Keyword vs Subject Searching
 Evaluating Journal Articles
 Prezi Slides: 360 Link, & Finding Articles
Videos:
 Why Use Databases?
 Peer Review in 3 Minutes
 JFKU Library Tutorials (Journal Finder, Using JFKU Databases)
Assignments:
Homework #2 – Databases and Articles.
Use two different library databases to locate and cite three scholarly journal articles in
accurate APA format. (Follow full instructions on assignment sheet).
Due Sunday, November 8th before midnight.
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Midterm Quiz:
20 questions, multiple choice. Available on course site.
Due: Sunday, November 8th before midnight.
Week 5: November 9 – 15
Topics: Plagiarism, copyright, censorship, intellectual freedom
Reading:
 Searchpath: Module 6 – Researching Responsibly
Assignment:
Discussion Board #3: TED Talk Response
Watch and respond to the Eli Pariser TED Talk: Beware Internet Filter Bubbles.
Due: Sunday, Nov. 15th before midnight.
Week 6: November 16 - 22 (Final Class Meeting: Friday, Nov. 20th, 4:30-7pm)
Topics: Research on the web, evaluating websites, advanced web search techniques
Readings:
 Searchpath Module 5 – Using the Web
 Evaluating Websites
Assignment:
Homework #3 – Finding and Evaluating Appropriate Websites.
Use the web to locate and evaluate two sites on your topic, and site them in APA format.
(Follow full instructions on assignment sheet).
Due Sunday, November 22nd before midnight.
Week 7: November 23 - 29
Assignment:
Discussion Board #4: Annotated Citation.
Choose one of the sources you’ve found and post an APA citation for the source along with
an annotation asdescribed on the course site for Week 7.
Due: Sunday, November 29th before midnight.
Week 8: November 30 – December 6th
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Assignments:
Final Project: Annotated Bibliography
This will be a bibliography of 8 sources on the research topic you chose at the beginning of
the course, each citation followed by an annotation. Please see assignment file on course
site for complete description.
Due Sunday, December 6th , before midnight.
Final Quiz:
20 questions, multiple choice and short answer.
Due Sunday, December 6th , before midnight.
Grading
“A” work: The assignment is complete and answers all questions correctly and thoroughly
Work shows familiarity and command of the terms and ideas and expresses ideas cogently
and persuasively with an emphasis on critical thinking . APA formatting is without errors.
Work is grammatically correct, including spelling, punctuation, etc. Work shows
originality, creativity and ownership of the course materials.
“B” work: Students generally meet criteria for “A”, but are less confident with specific
terminology and lack a command of the materials presented. Minimal errors may be
present.
“C” work: Work is adequate, but the student is less careful in writing and thinking.
Assignments fail to engage the questions in a meaningful way, have spelling and
grammatical errors and/or incorrect APA style.
“D” work: Work is careless, and appears to be hastily constructed. Lack of understanding of
terms and ideas is evident.
“F” work, the student does not complete assignments and doesn’t meet basic course
competencies.
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Late Work:
Late Work Will Not Be Accepted
Final grades are determined as follows:
100 %
93-99
90-92
A+
A
A-
89
83-88
80-82
B+
B
B-
79
73-78
70-72
C+
C
C-
69
63-68
60-62
59 and
below
D+
D
D-
Coursework:
Quizzes
Attendance
Online Discussions
Homework Assignments
2 @ 5 pts. each
4 @ 5 pts. each
4@ 5 pts. each
3 @ 10 pts. each
Annotated Bibliography
1 @ 20 pts.
Total Pts.
10
20
20
30
20
100
Course Schedule
1st Meeting: Friday, Oct. 9th , 4:30-7pm
2nd Meeting, Friday, Oct. 23rd , 4:30-7pm
3rd Meeting, Friday, Nov. 6th , 4:30-7pm
Final Class Meeting: Friday, Nov. 20th , 4:30-7pm
Attendance
As noted in the University catalog, students are expected to attend all class meetings of
course in which they are enrolled and comply with attendance requirements specified in
the course syllabus. Excessive unexcused absences may affect the course grade.
Learning Management System (LMS)
One or more units for this course may be taught online using Blackboard Learn. You will be
able to access your course(s) the day prior to the start date by going to MyJFKU at
https://my.jfku.edu/ics, logging on and clicking on the Blackboard (Bb) Learn icon.
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To help familiarize you with Blackboard Learn, please take the Student Orientation Course
accessible through MyJFKU by clicking on the Bb Learn icon and clicking on the course link
found under “My Courses.” If you have any problems accessing MyJFKU, please contact our
helpdesk by calling 925-969-3464 or emailing helpdesk@jfku.edu. If you have technical
issues within Blackboard Learn, please email blackboard@jfku.edu or call 1-855-877-3949.
Online Discussion Etiquette
Participating in online discussions as part of your coursework is different than blogging or
engaging in social media as the protocol is different between friendships and professional
relationships. Consider these guidelines for your contributions to online discussion:
 Please be mindful that online communication differs from face to face
communication. Without the ability to read body language and facial expressions,
online communication can be misconstrued. Therefore, care must be taken in online
communication.
 Be careful of informal tone. Sarcasm or joking can be interpreted as offensive or
mean-spirited online.
 Use proper punctuation and formatting. Capital letters online are the equivalent of
shouting in person. Proper capitalization and correct grammar will increase your
voice online by showing that you are educated, value what others think of you, and
that you value professionalism.
 Be honest and transparent; if you choose to use real-life examples, make sure that
they are real and check out under a bit of scrutiny, because people will check and
sometimes ask. If you are not honest and open, people will sense this and will not
trust you.
 Contribute to the conversation with relevant replies that show that you have read,
processed and taken seriously the ideas of others. Replying with useful information
will encourage increased participation by others, and you will also gain the
reputation as someone who cares about others and the ideas that are important to
the entire group.
University Academic Policy, including Registration information, please click on the
following link to the current catalog.
http://www.jfku.edu/student-service/current-students/academic-catalog.html
Academic Honesty
Policies and procedures relating to academic integrity are outlined in the catalog. Check
also with your program for additional guidelines and rules. Academic dishonesty, including
cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated at JFK University.
Cheating includes any dishonest means of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for
academic work, such as:
 Copying, in part or whole, from another’s examination, paper, research or creative
project.
 Submitting as one’s own work which has been purchased, borrowed, or stolen.
 Fabricating data.
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
Employing a surrogate to take an examination, write a paper, or complete, in whole
or in part, an assignment.
 Helping another student to engage in activities that constitute academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the presentation of words, ideas or views of someone else as if
they were one’s own. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty and, as such, is a serious
academic offense. The potential penalties for plagiarism range from an unsatisfactory grade
in the course (an “F” or “no credit”), a letter of sanction placed in the student’s permanent
academic file, or even dismissal from the university. Plagiarism includes:
 Representing another’s work as your own.
 Failing to give credit to your sources for the ideas, information, and words you have
borrowed from them.
 Not quoting when you use another’s exact words.
 Not changing the wording or sentence structure significantly enough when you
paraphrase a source.
SafeAssign: Using “SafeAssign” within Blackboard Learn, faculty can verify the originality of
work being turned in. SafeAssign checks if the work submitted by a student has been
submitted in other courses or has its origin in Internet or database articles. Students may
be required to submit a SafeAssign report as part of the assignment. In many courses,
students may be able to check their own work prior to final submission.
Institutional Review Board
Any research conducted by JFK University faculty, staff, or students that involves human
participants in any way must receive IRB approval before the research can be undertaken.
Also, any research that utilizes JFK University faculty, staff, or students as participants must
be approved by the NU-IRB before the research can be undertaken. The Office of the
Institutional Review Board will only accept electronic protocol submissions via IRBNet
(www.irbnet.org ). All protocols (including revisions and renewals) must be submitted
electronically via IRBNet, and all review decision letters will be issued electronically via
IRBNet. Principal investigators, faculty sponsors and IRB members will be required to
complete human participant research training through the Collaborative Investigator
Training Initiative (CITI). JFKU programs that train students to conduct research have
courses identified in their curriculum where students are instructed on how to use the CITI
training and the IRBNet system.
Student Services
Information about Student Services is available on the JFKU website
(http://www.jfku.edu/Student-Service/Student-Services.html) and in the Academic
Catalog (http://www.jfku.edu/Student-Service/Current-Students/Academic-Catalog.html).
The following are among the many services available to students:
Academic Support Center (ASC)
The ASC provides individual instruction in writing, study skills, and APA citation style. The
instructors can act as a second pair of eyes on your paper, working with you to identify
your patterns and improve your abilities. Appointments can be held in person or via phone,
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fax or email. All ASC services are free to registered students, faculty, and staff. Students can
make an appointment by calling 925.969.3530 or emailing asc@jfku.edu.
NU Writing & Math Centers: All JFK University students have access to additional free
writing and math support through the National University System’s Writing & Math
Centers. Schedule an appointment with the NU Writing Center at
http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/StudentServices/WritingCenter/OnlineWritingCenter.h
tml or with the NU Math Center at
http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/StudentServices/mathcenter.html
Disability Services for Students
Services are provided for students who are in need of accommodations related to a
documented physical, learning, or mental health disability. This office determines
accommodations that allow students with disabilities to fully participate in all academic
programs. Please note that classroom accommodations cannot be made until you have
registered with Disabilities Services, received an Accommodation Letter, and provided a
copy to your instructor. For an appointment, contact ods@jfku.edu or call 925-969-3362.
Career Center
For information on career services, call (925) 969-3542 or email career@jfku.edu.
Center for Veteran Student Success
Information about services for veterans via the Center for Veteran Student Success is at
http://www.jfku.edu/Admissions/Military-Admissions/Center-for-Veteran-StudentSuccess.html
Libraries & Learning Resource Centers
The JFKU Libraries & Learning Resource Centers include the Robert M. Fisher Library, Law
Library and Computer Lab in Pleasant Hill, and the Berkeley and San Jose Learning
Resource Centers. The Libraries’ collections include nearly 200,000 books, journals and
media titles, most of which are accessible online. It is our mission to support learning,
scholarship, professional development and student success. Librarians are available to
assist with your research needs by phone, email, online chat or in person. Please visit your
library or the library web site at http://library.jfku.edu for further information.
Course Evaluation
Prior to your last class session, you will receive a request to complete an evaluation of the
course and instructor. The evaluation is confidential. It asks you to rate the course (from
Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree) in several areas. You are also encouraged to provide
comments to clarify your ratings. The College and instructor are only provided with a
summary of the evaluation results (including any comments submitted) and do not receive
individual evaluations. We appreciate the feedback you provide in the course evaluation.
We use that feedback as part of our ongoing program assessment and to inform possible
course and program changes. Please provide your feedback in a thoughtful and
professional manner.
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