Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Information Literacy (Face-to-Face)

INFO 1010-06

Course: INFO 1010-06
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: LIB
CRN: 11327

Course Description

Information literacy is a set of integrated abilities that includes 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.

Required Texts

You do not need to buy a textbook for this course. All course materials for INFO 1010 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.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

Learning OutcomesCourse Assessments
Analyze information critically to solve real-world problems, issues, and challenges;Plan: Module 2 Assignment, Search: Module 3 Assignment, 
Find & Evaluate: Module 4 Assignment, 
Synthesize: Module 5 Assignment, Final Project
Use the appropriate skills and technologies to identify, locate, evaluate, synthesize, attribute, and share information effectively and ethically;Plan: Module 2 Assignment, Search: Module 3 Assignment, 
Find & Evaluate: Module 4 Assignment, 
Synthesize: Module 5 Assignment
Apply integrative thinking to make connections across disciplines and sources;Synthesize: Module 5 Assignment, Final Project
Reflect on the learning process to deepen understanding and consider transferability across knowledge environments.Final Project

Course Requirements

Citation Style Note:

For citation purposes, this course uses the MLA 9th edition, APA 7th Edition, or Chicago Manual of Style 18th Edition. Resources to help you use MLA 9 are provided in the modules. Other Style guides are available in the modules. 

A note on the "low-tech classroom":

While students are required to use online systems and digital technologies (computers and other digital devices) to complete some assigned tasks, we will maintain a "low-tech classroom." This means that digital devices will only be permitted for specific tasks, and must be put away at all other times. This includes laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Students will need a notebook to take handwritten notes, and materials for in-class activities will be provided. All major assignments will be completed online. The purpose of the low-tech classroom is to eliminate digital distraction and reduce reliance on digital tools that degrade the learning process, such as generative AI. 

Coursework:

 In-class Participation (15% of your grade): Students will receive points for in-class participation that will add up to 15%  of the overall grade in the class (10 points per week multiplied by 15 weeks of classes, or 150 points total). Participation may include discussions, activities, group work, and other in-class work. Points may be made up for excused absences, but not for unexcused absences.
Quizzes (10% of your grade): There are 6 quizzes based on the weekly material for each module. Quizzes have a varying number of questions. Each quiz can be taken two times, with the highest score kept as your grade for that quiz. You will have one hour to complete each quiz. The final quiz in Module 6 contains questions about materials from all modules. Quizzes must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. You may use your course materials and notes to complete the quiz (open book).
Research Assignments (55% of your grade): There are 4 assignments where you apply the skills you learn in the weekly course modules. Each assignment has a Google Docs worksheet that you download, fill out, and submit to Canvas. If you do not have these 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 SUU Portal. Links to an external site.(Log in with your SUU credentials.) Assignment points increase with each assignment as the work required increases. Assignment points are distributed as follows: the Plan: Module 2 Assignment is 100 points; the Search: Module 3 Assignment is 125 points; the Find & Evaluate: Module 4 Assignment is 150 points; and the Synthesize: Module 5 Assignment is 175 points (550 points total).
Final Project (20% of your grade): The Final Project is the culmination of the course and research process as it is creating and sharing your research experience through 4-6 minute presentation. This will include presenting your research topic to the class in our "mini-conference." This will include a short slideshow presentation in class, as well as presentation materials (slides, script, source citations and links) submitted in Canvas prior to your presentation day. You will be required to not only present your research, but also attend your classmate's presentations and listen respectfully. (Note: The final four class periods of the semester will be used for presentations. All students are required to sign up for a time specified in the course. Students who do not sign up by the designated date will be assigned a time by the instructor.)

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.
Excellent (A, A-) |  | Average (C+, C, C-)
A | 100% | to 93% |  | C | < 77% | to 73%
A- | < 93% | to 90% |  | C- | < 73% | to 70%
Above average (B+, B, B-) |  | Below average (D+, D. D-)
B+ | < 90% |  to 87% |  | D+ | < 70% |  to 67%
B | < 87% |  to 83% |  | D | < 67% |  to 63%
B- | < 83% |  to 80% |  | D- | < 63% |  to 60%
Average (C+, C, C-) |  | Fail (F)
C+ | < 80% | to 77 % |  | F | < 60 % |  to 0 %
Note: You will receive a letter grade based on the table above. 

Course Outline

INFO 1010 consists of six (6) modules that take students step-by-step through the academic research process. As students learn research skills, they will also develop information literacy skills and dispositions that can serve them well in school, work, and everyday life. Below is an outline of the course modules. Modules generally take two weeks to complete. A full course schedule is posted on the course homepage in Canvas.

Module 1:  Intro to Information Literacy will help you understand the concept of information literacy so you can define it and describe how it applies to different contexts. You will also learn about the full research process as it relates to this course. What you learn in this module provides the foundation for what you will learn and practice in the rest of the course.

Module 2: Planning and Research Topics will help you understand that research is a process of exploring information about topics or problems. Research is more effective when you refine your topic into something that helps you focus your search for information. You can use the main ideas in your topic as keywords in search engines, databases, etc.

Module 3: Searching will help you understand that searching for information to answer research topic involves exploring a variety of information sources found through multiple searches. Finding credible, useful, and relevant information sources usually takes some trial and error. Searching is more effective if you can identify appropriate search tools, create targeted search statements, and refine your search based on what you discover.

Module 4: Finding and Evaluating will help you understand that information sources are created for many different purposes by people with varying levels of expertise, trustworthiness, and credibility. Knowing how to evaluate information sources helps us find high-quality, relevant information. Evaluation involves questioning the purpose and origin of information sources using specific evaluation criteria and choosing the most credible and relevant sources from what you find.

Module 5: Synthesizing Information will help you understand that we are constantly learning and expanding on current and past knowledge. You can join in this scholarly conversation by first learning what others have said about a topic, and then sharing your own insights about what you learned. This involves the ability to identify key ideas in information sources, then combine, or synthesize, those key ideas into your own work, while always giving credit to the creators of those sources through citations.  

Module 6: Disseminating is the final step of the Research Process. It is when you fully enter the scholarly conversation by sharing your research so others can learn, reflect, add or try to refute your claims. Dissemination usually means publishing your work in some way, although it can also mean sharing your work via submission to be graded by your professor.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Please look for feedback on your assignments that I will provide in the specified amount of time, to find feedback look at this tutorial How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor or watch the video "SUU Canvas: How to View Feedback."

It is my goal to:

  • Respond to student messages within 3 business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within one week from the due date

Due Dates:

  • Each assignment in this course builds on the last. As a result, late work will not be accepted unless an arrangement with your instructor is made. Approved late work may be subject to a penalty.

Attendance Policy

Points may be made up for excused absences, but not for unexcused absences.

You will be required to not only present your research, but also attend your classmate's presentations and listen respectfully.

Attend class and engage with the online course content: We know it is hard to resist the pull of our devices. One of the benefits of attending a face-to-face class is that you are part of a unique learning community with your fellow students. Make yourself available to participate in class to enjoy the exchange of ideas so you can fully experience what makes SUU great. Learning comes first, email and texts can wait. For online students, 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 1010. 

Course Fees

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

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:

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.

Classroom Technology Policy

SUU Campus Resources and Services

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.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.