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 (ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education). Information literacy is both a way of understanding information and a set of skills for effectively finding, evaluating, and using it. Developing this understanding and skill-set will help you in your school work and in the future as you continue to learn and grow on your own after college.

INFO 2010 Information Literacy in the Disciplines is a 1-credit course. This course will introduce you to the techniques and tools that you can use to do effective research in your major. A minimum grade of C- is mandatory to meet the SUU core Integrated Learning General Education requirement.

You do not need to buy a textbook for this course. All course materials for INFO 2010 are provided online as part of the course modules. For information about the Canvas Learning Management System and technology requirements see the sections Canvas Information and Technology Information below.

Technology & Software Requirements

Because this is an online course, access to a computer or device with an Internet connection is required. Much of your work will be completed in the Canvas learning management system (LMS), which may be accessed through the mySUU portal. You may be required to use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other software that is readily available to you as a student, such as Zoom.

Participation in this course will require basic technology for all online classes at Southern Utah University:

• A computer with reliable Internet access
• A web browser (The browser requirements page identifies which browsers are supported and other technical information for operating Canvas.)
• Acrobat Reader
• Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or another word processor such as Open Office

If you are new to Canvas quickly review the How to Use Canvas materials. Students should be able to access and navigate websites and online material and have basic computer skills.

This course is a General Education (GE) designated class and fulfills the University learning outcomes for Integrative Learning.

The table below is organized by these outcomes, showing which assignments and activities in the course help achieve those outcomes:

Learning in INFO 2010

All of the content in INFO 2010 works together in a streamlined learning system. Every graded and ungraded element is important and should be taken seriously. This includes all content on module pages, readings, videos, and all graded elements listed below. You are responsible for engaging with all course content and applying it where needed.

Participation Discussions, Quizzes, and Assignments (check the course schedule for deadlines)

• Weekly Participation Discussions (5% of your grade): These weekly discussions are informal and focus on topics that relate loosely to the topic for the week. The purpose of these discussions is to interact informally with classmates and the instructor.
• Quizzes on the Reading (25% of your grade): Each module will include a set of readings, all of which are freely available online. Quizzes assess the student's understanding of the readings.
• Module Assignments (70% of your grade): There are five major assignments in this class. The formats of the assignments and how you turn them in varies, so pay close attention to assignment instructions. If you do not have the required capabilities on your personal computer, the software is available on all of the machines in the Library computer lab. Also, as a student at SUU, you can download Microsoft Word for free from the Academic Software Center.

Course Grading

Course letter grades are calculated based on the percentages described in the table below. NOTE: Automatic grade calculations made by Canvas may not always align with those of your instructor. In this case, your instructor's calculations take precedence. Click on How to Check Your Grades, to see how you are doing in the course.

Note: This is not a pass/fail class. You will receive a letter grade based on the table above.

Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning; please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time. To find feedback look at these tutorials:

How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor?

How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor?

• Respond to student messages within 1-2 business days
• Provide grades and feedback within 3-5 days from the due date

Late Work

• 24 hour grace period on all assignments
• 2-7 days late: 20% deduction
• 8-14 days late: 50% deduction
• More than 2 weeks late: Not accepted without an official accommodation from the University

Note: Canvas will automatically assign a 0 to all late work. It will remain until late work has been graded.

Student Responsibilities

• Generative AI Use: The use of generative AI tools is NOT permitted in this course EXCEPT for the following activities: brainstorming or refining your ideas, and to check grammar and style. It is NOT permitted in any other instances. Any assignment that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways violates the academic integrity policy and will be handled accordingly. When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification.
• Engage with the online course content: Much of your learning depends on you. Give your learning your full attention while watching or reading the materials for this class. The American education system has standardized course credits so that academic qualifications are compatible across colleges and universities. Students should be expected to spend 3 hours per week for every 1 credit hour: one hour of class time, plus two hours outside of class working to achieve the learning outcomes through homework. For online classes without scheduled class time this means you can expect to spend approximately 3 hours a week on INFO 2010.
• Check Canvas Notifications: Make sure you don't miss deadlines. Course information and deadline alerts are sent through Canvas, depending on how you've set up your Profile and Notifications. Visit the course regularly, so that you can get these alerts.
• Writing: Students are expected to write clearly and completely, at a level appropriate for undergraduate coursework.
  • The SUU Undergraduate Writing Center invites all students to the writing center in Braithwaite Center 101 where qualified peer tutors are ready to help with any stage of the writing process. Hours are generally Monday - Thursday 8 am - 9 pm, Friday 8 am - 5 pm, and Saturday 11 am - 3 pm. All appointments are free, and both in-person and Zoom appointments are available. To schedule, visit our website: https://www.suu.edu/hss/writingcenter.

Online Etiquette

• Online etiquette includes being respectful of others and their opinions and experiences, avoiding strong language, all caps (shouting), and excessive exclamation points
• Be careful with humor and sarcasm as it may not come across as clearly online
• Use appropriate spelling and grammar
• Be understanding when reading other posts and give the benefit of the doubt
• Be concise and focused on the topic
• If you are using external sources, remember to cite them
• Remember this is a classroom and communication should be professional.

Tip: If you have a doubt how it will sound, reread or read aloud everything before you hit send or submit.

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU; please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Code of Conduct. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.