Each Module is tied to one or more course learning outcomes, indicated in the table below: LO1 means the module ties into Learning Outcome 1, and so on.
The order of the Modules is not fixed – we designed the course so that it could be rearranged and remixed based on the instructor’s need. In its original version, we taught the class in a compressed summer schedule of 5 and then 6 weeks. When we expanded to the full semester, we added modules and changed things around. The outline below is our suggestion for how the course might be arranged, but we don’t believe it has to be this way!
Course learning outcomes
- Define important concepts such as: authority, peer review, bias, point of view, editorial process, purpose, audience, information privilege and more.
- Critically assess information sources in pursuit of various purposes.
- Ask thoughtful questions.
- Turn questions into strategies for retrieving a variety of information sources.
- Annotate and cite information sources accurately and ethically.
- Reflect upon your own research process.
| Week | Topics | learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | ||
| Orientation | Course Orientation & Introduction to Tools/Tech | |
| Week 2 | ||
| Citation | LO1 LO5 | |
| Week 3 | ||
| Reading Strategies | LO2 LO3 LO6 | |
| Week 4 | ||
| Search Strategies 1 | LO3 LO4 | |
| Week 5 | ||
| Search Strategies 2 | LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 | |
| Week 6 | ||
| Databases & Boolean Searching | LO1 LO4 LO5 | |
| Week 7 | ||
| Selecting & Evaluating Databases | LO1 LO4 LO5 | |
| Week 8 | ||
| Understanding URLs | LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 | |
| Week 9 | ||
| Information Privilege | LO1 LO4 LO6 | |
| Week 10 | ||
| Evaluating Source 1: Fact-Checking | LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 | |
| Week 11 | ||
| Evaluating Sources 2: Authority & Expertise | LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 | |
| Week 12 | ||
| Civic Engagement & Government Data | LO2 LO3 LO6 | |
| Week 13 | ||
| AI Literacy | LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 | |
| Week 14 | ||
| Final Assignment and Final Reflection | LO1-6 |
