Below is the syllabus template we use for this class. We update the information each semester as needed. At the bottom we included the required information from our institution, so if you adapt the syllabus for your own institution please remove any Hunter-specific policies.
Course Syllabus: LIBR 100 Asynchronous/Online
Instructors:
| Jennifer Newman | Sarah Ward |
| Assistant Professor, English & Humanities Librarian | Associate Professor, Reference & Instruction Librarian |
| [email protected] | [email protected] |
| My pronouns are she/her. | My pronouns are she/her. |
Location
This is an online class.
Time
There is no set time for this class – it is completely asynchronous, which means you will be able to complete the work at your own pace within the deadlines we give you.
New coursework will be posted on Tuesdays at 12:00 noon and due the following Tuesday at 12:00 noon.
Dates
Office Hours
Why Take This Course?
LIBR 100 introduces students to the skills and concepts that are the foundation of the research process. These concepts are applicable to the pursuit of any informational need from the personal to the academic.
What Will I Learn From This Course?
The focus of this class is on the research process, not the product. You will be asked to think and talk and write about your own process: the ways you think about, search for, and use information for various purposes.
During this course we will work together on the following 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.
Topics for the course will include (but are not limited to):
- Database searching and searching the web
- Asking questions
- Researching for background information
- Information privilege
- Citation
- Open access tools and resources
- Evaluation and fact-checking
- Reading strategies
What is the Required Textbook?
There is no textbook. All readings will be posted to the course site and/or available online. This is a zero-cost class.
What are the Assignments?
There will be one lesson/module per week for the duration of the class. We will post new content each Tuesday at 12:00 noon, and the work will be due the following Tuesday at 12:00 noon. Due dates will be posted along with the assignments.
Assignments will consist of a variety of online learning modules including solo or group work, brief writing prompts, discussion board posts, videos, and more.
In class, students are expected to:
- Participate respectfully in online class discussions and communications
- Actively participate in online class activities (which may be solo or group exercises)
- Complete work by the dates provided
This is a one-credit course, so the workload is calculated to be one-third of the workload of a standard three-credit college course.
What is the Final Like?
There is no final exam. There will be a final assignment in which you will apply the skills and concepts we cover over the course of the semester, and a personal reflection based on your experience in this class. You will have a choice of formats for the personal reflection, which we will share more about closer to the end of the course.
How Will I Be Graded?
Your grade for this class will be determined by feedback from us on your weekly assignments. We are not out to trick you, and we want you to learn and succeed. You will get out of this class what you put into it.
160 possible points for this class, consisting of:
- 13 weekly modules at 10 points each = 130 points for class work
- 1 final assignment worth 20 points
- 1 final reflection worth 10 points
We will grade your work weekly, and you can track your own score in this class using My Grades in Blackboard. You need a minimum of 96 points (= 60% = letter grade D) to pass this class.
If you miss a deadline or need an extension you must reach out to us to make arrangements. If you do not contact us, we will grade you based on the work you submit.
We will offer you opportunities for revisions of your work, based on our feedback. It is up to you to complete revisions by the deadline we give you, otherwise you will be graded on the original work.
Participation
All of the work for this course will be completed online via various technologies as appropriate. In order to build community we may ask you to share information with your classmates, comment on or discuss things via online discussion boards or blog posts, etc. We expect everyone to be a contributing member to our classroom community. There will be no “real time” class meetings but we may ask you to participate in small group discussions that will be held throughout the semester.
Support and Help
We learn as whole people. It can be challenging to bring your best self to class if your basic needs are not met, or if you are struggling in some other way outside of school. If you are having difficulties with food, housing, mental health, or other life issues, please contact us and we will help connect you with campus or city resources.
Hunter offers many support services for students, including the following:
Hunter College Policies
Access & Accommodations
In compliance with the ADA and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational access and accommodations for all its registered students. Hunter College’s students with disabilities and medical conditions (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) are encouraged to register with the Office of AccessABILITY for assistance and accommodation. For information and appointment contact the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1214 or call (212) 772-4857 /or TTY (212) 650-3230.
Hunter College Policy on Sexual Misconduct
In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or offcampus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College.
a. Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting the College’s Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
b. All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact the College’s Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose ([email protected] or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry ([email protected] or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123.
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct
Academic Integrity
Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.
