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.
Instructors
| Jennifer Newman | Sarah Ward |
|---|---|
| Assistant Professor, English & Humanities Librarian | Associate Professor, Head of the Zabar Art Library |
| [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 we cover in this course is referred to as “information literacy.” The definition of this term from the Association of College and Research Libraries is quoted below.
“Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.”–Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. American Library Association, 2015.
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.
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.
- Cite information sources accurately and discuss why we cite.
- Reflect upon your own research process.
Topics Covered will Include:
- Database searching and searching the web
- Asking questions
- Researching for background information
- Information privilege
- Decoding, editing, and understanding citations
- Open access tools and resources
- Evaluation and fact-checking
- Reading strategies
- AI tools and research
Topics we will not cover (due to time constraints and discipline-specific methodologies):
- Writing
- Literature reviews
- Data analysis/statistics
- In-text citation
- Citation styles other than APA and MLA
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 is the Required Technology?
We use a variety of technologies in this class. All tech tools work on mobile devices but may be easier to use on a laptop or desktop computer. This semester we will be using the following software, all of which is freely available or provided by CUNY:
- Cuny Academic Commons
- Dropbox
- Hypothesis
- Microsoft Office 365
- Padlet
- Zoom (for student hours)
- Brightspace (for grades and announcements only)
Hunter College provides access to computers in the following ways:
- Short-term and long-term laptop loans are available at Cooperman Library (68th St. Campus, East building). Loans are handled in person at the A/V Reserves Desk on the 3rd floor.
- Computers in the libraries (on all Hunter campuses)
- Computer labs elsewhere on campus
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 9:00 AM, and the work will be due the following Sunday at the end of the day (11:59 PM). Due dates will be posted along with the assignments.
Assignments will consist of a variety of online learning activities including solo or group work, brief writing prompts, discussion posts, videos, and more.
LIBR 100 is a one-credit course. In-person and synchronous online sections of the course meet for 50 minutes per week. In this asynchronous version of the course, the weekly coursework is calculated to take the place of that 50-minute meeting, plus any homework. Students should expect to spend one to two hours per week on the assignments in this asynchronous version of the course.
What is Expected of Students in This Class?
Overview of expectations
In this class, students are expected to:
- Communicate respectfully with each other and instructors
- Actively participate in online class activities (which may be solo or group exercises)
- Complete work by the dates provided
- Communicate with the course instructors regarding course work
- Regularly check email and the course site for important information
Communication
Because this course is entirely online and asynchronous (meaning that we do not have any regularly scheduled meeting times), students MUST stay in contact with the course instructors and check their email AND the course site regularly.
Policies on Late Work and Revisions
This is not a self-paced course. Students are expected to keep up with weekly deadlines. We (your instructors) are also human beings who know we all sometimes need flexibility. If you need a deadline extension or miss a deadline you must reach out to us to make arrangements. We are happy to give you some extra time if you need it, but if you do not contact us we will grade you based on the work you submit.
We will offer opportunities to revise your work, based on our feedback, to earn a higher grade on that assignment. It is up to you to complete revisions by the new deadline, otherwise you will be graded on the original work.
What is the Final Like?
There is no final exam or research paper. 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. The final assignment will be posted on a Tuesday at 9am and due the following Sunday at midnight, just like all the other course work.
How Will You 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.
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.
170 possible points for this class, consisting of:
- 13 weekly modules at 10 points each = 130 points for class work
- 4 “learning checks” at 2 points each = 8 points
- 1 brief Zoom meeting with your instructors during the first weeks of class = 2 points
- 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 Grades in Brightspace. You need a minimum of 102 points (= 60% = letter grade D)
AI Policy*
This course encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and the development of your own unique voice as a researcher and human being in the world. The primary goal of your assignments is for you to engage with the course material, develop your own understanding, and express your own ideas. Therefore, while generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Bard, etc.) can be useful, it’s crucial to understand their appropriate role within this course. These tools are designed to generate text based on patterns in existing data; they do not possess original thought, critical judgment, or personal experience.
You will be experimenting with and evaluating AI tools in a module in this course, where you will discuss the ethics, advantages, and drawbacks of using these tools for research. Outside of that module, we ask that you limit your use of AI tools as described below.
Unacceptable Uses of AI in this Course
You may not use AI tools to…
- generate first drafts of your writing for any assignments or reflections
- summarize or paraphrase course readings or videos
- brainstorm ideas
Acceptable Use of AI in this Course
You may use AI tools to help edit your own writing, if you wish. However, keep in mind that in this course we are not grading or evaluating your writing skills. Such use of AI must be cited, and you must include a link to your conversation with the AI tool. For example:
This answer was produced with drafting support from Microsoft Copilot on January 1 2025. [Link to your chat with AI tool]
*Parts of this policy were generated by Google Gemini. Prompt: “Take on the persona of a college professor. Please write a syllabus statement about the use of generative AI in class. The statement should say that the course requires students to cite any use of generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot) in their class assignments. Tell students that the instructor is interested in their own ideas and reflections and their own voices.” January 6, 2025.
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 off campus (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.
