School of Information & Library Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Spring 2008

INLS 200-002: Retrieving & Analyzing Information

[Syllabus] [Schedule] [Reading]  [Source Evaluation] [Research Project] [Group Report] [Blackboard]

Course Syllabus  

Course Information

• Credit hours: 3 credits
• Primary audience:

∙          Prerequisite for the information science major

∙          Required for minor in information systems

• Class Date & Time: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30-4:45 pm
• Classroom: Manning 117 (Computer lab in SILS library)
• Course Website: http://www.unc.edu/~shoh/spring_2008_inls_200_2/syllabus.htm

Instructor Information

§         Name: Sanghee Oh

§         Email: shoh {at} email {dot} unc {dot} edu

§         Office hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00 pm or by appointment

                              (Find me at the SILS library or the lobby of Manning Hall)

Course Description

Viewing information as a social/cultural construct, this course covers the processes used in seeking information, evaluating the quality of the information retrieved, and synthesizing it into a useful form.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this semester, students will be able to:

• identify and access library catalogs, article databases, and search engines,
• formulate effective search strategies and master basic search logic,
• evaluate print and electronic information, and
• acquire hands-on experience on information searching for resources

Course Materials

• Readings, either required or recommended, will be assigned on the course schedule. All readings will be available on the free web, on the Library as an e-journal, or on the Blackboard site.

Course Competency

• Class attendance/participation 

Students are expected to attend every class and arrive at each class on time. Students are encouraged and expected to participate actively in group activities as well as class discussions. The class discussions will be based on the reading assignments and activities.

I will apply the in-class activities and exercises to the class participation grade. Students who miss the classes won’t be able to participate in class activities. Thus, they will be penalized in their class participation grades.

• Reading assignments

All reading assignments should be completed before class. Students are required to post at least one discussion question related to the readings for each session on the Blackboard. The instructor will open the discussion forum, titled “Posting Discussion Questions,” on the Blackboard. Each session number, date, and reading information will be displayed. Click the appropriate session link, click the replay button, and leave your questions there. These questions are due at 8:00 AM on the day of the sessions. The questions and issues will be discussed during the session. Be prepared to give comments on the posted questions during the in-class discussion.

Whether the postings were good or bad will not be judged by the instructor. But, whether they were appeared each week will be counted and the result will be included in the class participation grade. Students may ask additional questions before, during or after the class or make an individual appointment with the instructor.

• Group activities

Partnership or small group activities will be encouraged during the class to discuss ideas and issues with peers. Please use the group activity time effectively, focusing on the topics given by the instructor. The small group activities will be followed by class discussion. So, be prepared to share in group work during class.

• Homework assignments

The assignments are listed in the course syllabus. It is necessary to submit the assignments by 5:00 pm on the due date. Late assignments will be downgraded. In case of an emergency situation, contact the instructor prior to the due date.

Class Etiquette

• Cell phones

All cell phones must be silenced before entering the classroom. In addition, instant messaging is not allowed during class.

• Computer use

Students will have every class in the SILS computer lab, 117 Manning Hall. The computers in this room are arranged for the lecture materials, in-class exercises, or group activities, not for personal entertainment. Turn off the monitor of the computers unless the instructor asks you to turn it on for activities. Please be mature about using computers.

Course Evaluation

The assignments are due by 5:00 pm on the due date. Late assignments will be downgraded.

Grading Scale

Each assignment is worth a set number of points, as described on the assignment sheet.  These assignments, along with your class participation grade, collectively sum to 100.  Semester grades are based on your cumulative total of points awarded for all assignments and class participation, which are then converted to letter grades according to the traditional UNC scale:

A                      94 - 100 

A-                     90 - 93

B+                   87 - 89 

B                      84 - 86 

B-                    80 - 83 

C+                   77 - 79 

C                     74 - 76 

C-                    70 - 73 

D+                   67 - 69 

            D                     60 - 66 

F                      59 and below

Academic Integrity: Honor Code

The Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of assignments, is in effect in this class. It should be noted, however, that students are expected to receive (and provide) some assistance regarding the identification of information sources and the use of hardware and software in the computer lab. Students should NOT receive (or provide) major creative assistance or continuous minor support.

The Honor Code can be read in full at: http://instrument.unc.edu/

How to Succeed in This Course:

Here are several tips that may help students succeed in this course.

1. Prepare for class:  Complete the readings before coming to the class. The readings help students to be familiar with the major concepts and issues as well as with the new terminologies and glossary, which will be covered in the lecture. The lecture will not simply repeat the readings. Rather, it explains and analyzes how the readings are useful and applicable to build new knowledge fitting the lecture topic.
2. Attend the class and come to the class on time: Each session is designed to be a block building the big picture. There is no chance of reviewing missed sessions later. In addition, it is impossible to learn and understand the extensive content of the lecture and discussion from merely reviewing readings and lecture materials. Thus, attending every session of the class is required. Late arrivals disturb other students in the classroom. 
3. Participating during class: Class participation is important in this course since the instructor’s lectures and discussion are blended during the sessions. Feel free to offer thoughts and concerns. Classmates may have similar concerns and problems. In addition, speaking out helps oneself to know what he/she understands and doesn’t understand. 
4. Assess learning periodically: The course content and study assignments will grow like a snowball as the course progresses. It is the student’s responsibility to check his/her progress and status of learning regarding the course. Many assignments are given in this course. Check the submissions and returns, and report to the instructor immediately if you find a problem. 
5. Use the office hours: Consult with the instructor about any issues or questions regarding the course. The instructor is willing to offer any type of resources to help a student understand the course and in developing projects.  

Last Updated: 01/08/2008