Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Introduction to Academic Research (for pre-Professionals)

INFO 1010-32I

Course: INFO 1010-32I
Credits: 1
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: LIB
CRN: 20804

Course Description

An introduction to the library research process and related information skills: developing a research statement, searching, finding, and evaluating information, synthesizing information across sources, using information ethically. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None General Education Category: Integrated Learning Equivalent Course(s): INFO 2010

Required Texts

There is a textbook for this course, but NOT one you need to buy. All student course materials for INFO 1010 are provided online as part of the course modules. Class activities supplement the online content. For specific information about the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and technology requirements see the section on Information and Technology Requirements below.

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Access to a computer or device with an Internet connection is required, including in class activities. Much of your work will be completed in the Canvas LMS, which is accessible through the mySUU Portal. You may be required to use word processing software (such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, OpenOffice), spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or OpenOffice) and other software that is readily available to you as a student, such as Zoom. Please, ask for help if you need it; you're in class to learn and to develop skills, and that means doing new things—no need to struggle needlessly in the process.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes align with the state and campus general-education outcomes.

Course Requirements

For citation practice this course requires students to learn and practice citations in the MLA 9th edition OR the APA 7th edition OR the Chicago 18th edition Notes and Bibliography style. Resources to help you learn and use citation styles are in Canvas and are accessible on campus.

Quizzes, Assignments, and Tests (check the course schedule for deadlines)
  • Quizzes (10% of your grade). There are 6 quizzes based on the weekly material for each module in addition to questions about materials from previous modules. 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.
  • Assignments (60% 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.
  • Final Project (30% of your grade). The Final Project is the culmination of the course and research process as it is creating and sharing your research through a chosen dissemination modality. This will include presenting your research in the chosen modality to the class either in person or through an online forum. You will be required to not only present your research, but also attend your classmate's presentations and offer comments and ask questions.
  • Exercises and course activities also earn points toward the final grade but do not count against completion.

Course Grading
  • Course letter grades are calculated based on the percentages described in the table in the Canvas syllabus. Click on How to Check Your Grades, to see how you are doing in the course.

    NOTE: Automatic grade calculations made by Canvas may not always align with those of your instructor. If that happens, my calculations take precedence. 

Course Outline

Course outline and due dates will be provided by the instructor when class begins and are available in the Canvas shell.  Though an online class, completion involves both group exercises and individual online completion/submission activities.

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

  • Due dates are listed within assignments in Canvas and may change, responding to activities and progress. Because some assignments are a basis for group activities, watch for submissions that are on-time only (OTO)--failing to complete and submit on time compromises participation in class exercises, which will lower the final course grade
  • Revision is a marvelous learning tool and you will use it heavily in class
  • Late work will complicate your life unless you arrange an alternative with your instructor. Approved late work may be subject to a penalty

Attendance Policy

  • Students complete class asynchronously and largely on their own, but assignments and activities are strongly sequential, meaning that each activity and assignment in this course builds on something completed in the one before it.  Participation in shared (group) activities is reflected in the assignment grade

Course Fees

This course incurs no fees or expenses beyond tuition and your own investment in attention, time, and effort.

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.