LIBR 201: Media & Information Literacy Syllabus

Fall 2020 Section # 1836

Instructor: Pamela Perry

❤️COVID-19 Statement

I acknowledge that this is a difficult time for many of us. This may be your first time in a virtual class or you may prefer in-person learning. I want you to know that I'm here to help in whatever way I can. Get some great tips at Reshaping your School Schedule During Remote Instruction.

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe learning should be meaningful and that the differences each person brings into a course enrich the learning of the group. Each of us learns at a unique rhythm, which is precisely why I love online classes! Unlike a live classroom, asynchronous (delayed) online environments, like ours, provide you with the luxury of thinking and reflecting before you engage. They create a seat at the table for everyone. They also enable us to use the world as our classroom. I design my courses to showcase and celebrate the diversity of the members of our learning community and to encourage each of you to connect our course content to your own life. - Pamela Perry

🙌🏼 Learning Pact

What you can expect from me:

  • I will provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to ensure you meet our course outcomes in a meaningful manner.

  • I will provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.

  • I will be actively present in your learning.

  • I will provide a supportive and safe environment for you to share and discuss ideas with your peers.

  • I will reach out to you when I sense that you need support.

  • I will treat you with dignity and respect and be flexible to support your individual needs.

  • I won't be perfect. I am human and will make mistakes at times. I will view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.

What I will expect from you:

  • You will strive to be an active participant in this course and strive to meet due dates.

  • You will maintain and open line of communication with me so I understand how to support you.

  • You will contact me if you have a concern with meeting a due date.

  • You strive to regularly contribute to collaborative activities to ensure other members of the community have ample opportunity to read/listen, reflect, and respond to your ideas.

  • You will treat your peers with dignity and respect.

  • You will do your best to have patience with technology. There will be hiccups, expect them. We will get through them together.

  • You will give yourself grace. Expect to make mistakes. You are human and you are stressed.

✉️ Contact Information

✉︎ Email: pperry@miracosta.edu or submit an email via Canvas course shell

Email is my preferred method of contact. Use subject line “LIBR 201” and your last name I will respond in 24-48 hours.

✆ Phone:‪(760) 566-6736

You may also text or call and I will respond in 24-48 hours but usually sooner.

📌 Course Essentials

About this Course

This course examines the exponential growth of online information and the resulting complex digital media landscape faced by students in the 21st century. Students explore the psychological, social, and physiological impact of online media engagement, while developing essential information literacy skills that are relevant to current academic endeavors and to their future as informed citizens and lifelong learners.

Be aware that in college, a general expectation for required time per course is that you spend two hours of time on class work for every credit hour (unit). For this 3 unit class you are expected to spend 6 hours or more per week on classwork. While many students may take less time, please be aware of this general expectation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes (SLOs) establish the foundation for what you will learn throughout this course. Upon successful completion:

  1. Given a specific research topic, the student will develop and execute an effective research strategy utilizing advanced search techniques.

  2. The student will critically evaluate the credibility and quality of an information source by applying a prescribed set of criteria.

  3. The student will identify citation elements in a variety of information sources and consistently apply a citation style in referencing information.

  4. The student will compare and contrast characteristics of popular and scholarly information sources.

CANVAS Online Learning Program

This course uses Canvas to share all course materials. There are no required meetings outside of this Canvas course, with the exception of Honors students. If you are new to Canvas or online courses, there are multiple ways you can make sure you are ready for this course. Go to the online education site.

There is a student hotline and canvas guides available 24/7. If you are unfamiliar with posting to discussion boards, uploading assignments, taking quizzes, or managing your announcements, please take advantage of this Canvas resources. I will not be teaching you how to use Canvas.

Required Materials

All required materials will be provided. Course materials will be accessed via Canvas. To sign into Canvas use your SURF ID and Password. For assistance or additional help, contact the Student Help Desk.

Computer skills advisory: basic keyboarding skills and familiarity with the Internet strongly suggested. Because this is an online course, you will need to have your own email account and be in the habit of regularly checking it for updates.

Feedback and Communication

I will be communicating with you by sending announcements via Canvas, sending email messages, and leaving feedback in Canvas Discussions and Assignments. Please be sure to check these regularly to ensure that you do not miss any important communication, such as reminders for when assignments are available and due. Since we will be communicating largely through email, it is imperative that you make sure MiraCosta College has the right email address for you. Also, be sure that you have set up your notifications preferences in Canvas so that you are receiving announcements. Typically, I will grade assignments within a few days of the due date. Make sure you check the feedback I leave for you.

If you have any questions, the best way for you to reach me is by email at pperry@miracosta.edu. I will respond within 24-48 hours, but most likely sooner. If you prefer to communicate by phone, email me your phone number, and I will call you. If you prefer, we set up a Zoom (live video) appointment.

📝 Grading & Policies

Important Dates

It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which they are no longer participating (see dates below). Instructor takes no responsibility for accuracy of dates; please consult and be aware of important enrollment deadlines.

  • Start of Course 09/7/2020

  • Last Day to Drop without a "W" 09/18/2020

  • Last Day to select Pass/No Pass 12/19/2020

  • Last Day to Drop with a "W". 11/24/2020

  • End of Course. 12/16/2020

Grading

LIBR 201 is divided into 13 units. For each unit, you will be completing an assignment, participating in a discussion, and taking a short quiz. The Final Project is a major component of your grade, however, all the work that will be completed for Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes will be leading up to the Final Project. The breakdown of points awarded is available in our course CANVAS shell.

Assignments, Quizzes & Discussions = 75% of your grade

Final Project = 25% of your grade.

The Final Project consists of an annotated bibliography and a two page essay on your research topic. Don't worry! You will be well prepared to take on the final project by the time it is due!

Grade will awarded as follows

A =89.5-100%

B =79.5-89.5%

C =69.5-79.5%

D =59.5-69.5%

F = 0-59.5%

Due Dates and Late Assignments

Every assignment has a due date. Assignments will typically be due on Sunday nights by 11:59 pm. For class discussions,your initial posting will be do on Saturdays by 11:59 pm. I expect you to strive to submit each assignment by the due date. This ensures I have an opportunity to give you feedback. Missing a due date in an online class often leads to missing another due date. Getting behind is overwhelming and can derail your ability to make progress towards our learning goals. I want you to succeed.

Late assignments will be marked down 50% after the due date for up to one week. Want to avoid that penalty? Great! Just send me a message when you anticipate a problem. Propose an extension. We will come to an agreement together.

Incomplete Grade

Students seeking a grade of Incomplete must consult with me no later than the week prior to finals (you may wish to specify a date within this week). A grade of Incomplete will only be considered for unforeseeable, emergency and justifiable reasons at the end of the term, and only upon agreement of conditions for completing coursework.

Pass/No Pass Grading Option (for graded classes)

You have the option to choose Pass/No Pass grading for this class. If you choose this option, you must submit a Petition for Pass/No Pass to Admissions & Records by 10/03/2019. The petition form is available online, or from Admissions & Records. Students planning to transfer should consult with a counselor before opting for Pass/No Pass to ensure this option is accepted by their intended transfer institutions. Check the MiraCosta College catalog or schedule for more detailed information. To earn “Credit” if taking Credit/No Credit you must earn at least 70% in the course.

Academic Accommodations

Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disabled Students Programs & Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. Their number is (760) 795-6658 and they are located in Building 3000 at the Oceanside Campus which is adjacent to Parking lot 3C.

DSPS Contact Information

Phone: 760-795-6658

Request Accommodations Online: Clockwork.

Location: Building 3000 (room 3009) Oceanside Campus (Parking lot 3C).

Alternate forms of this syllabus and course materials are available upon request.

Dropping the Course

It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which they are no longer participating . Instructor takes no responsibility for accuracy of dates; please consult and be aware of important enrollment deadlines.

Title 5 requires all instructors to drop “no shows.” It is the instructor's responsibility to clear the rosters of inactive students who are "no shows" to the course, prior to census. A “no show” is defined as a student who is enrolled in a class, but never shows up or only shows one time. For Distance Education classes, "no shows" are students who have not participated in any activity – simply logging-in is not sufficient to consider the student active in the course. Title 5 also specifies that students may be involuntarily removed from a class for excessive absences.

🧩 Resources

LGBTQIA+ Resources

MiraCosta College has an expressed commitment to equity and inclusion for students, faculty, and staff members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual. The district employs a Campus Liaison for LGBTQIA+ Needs, offers LGBTQIA Safe Space training, and has multiple student scholarships for members and active allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. For information about these and additional campus resources and services visit miracosta.edu/lgbt

UNDOCU Ally!

MiraCosta College affirms that we accept, support, and stand with all undocumented and mixed status students, staff, faculty, community members, loved ones, and their families. The district remains dedicated to their personal and educational success. MiraCosta College is deeply committed to supporting a campus climate and environment that is welcoming and safe for our undocumented and mixed status students, staff, faculty, community members, loved ones, and their families.

UPRISE (Undocumented Student Rise In Solidarity and Empowerment) provides legal consultations, mental health counseling, academic and career counseling, entrepreneurship trainings, peer network events and more. Please visit the UPRISE website for more information.

🎓 Honors Contracts

I am allowed to take only 5 honors contracts per semester so I will consider all honors applications and make a decision by the first day of class.

If you are interested in taking the course with an honors contract, please review the honors contract requirements. To be considered for an honors contract, you must complete the honors contract form. In addition to the contract, I also require a letter of application attached to the form. Your letter can be one to two paragraphs and should include

  1. why you are interested in taking the course with an honors contract,

  2. your previous experience with honors contracts (if applicable), and

  3. what you hope to get out of the course.

  4. I also require a reference from another MiraCosta professor (just the name and course is fine). I will only ask the professor if they recommend you for an honors contract.

In general, completing the honors component of the class requires 25-33% of work above and beyond what is required in the non-honors section of the class. In general, you will participate in the following activities:

  1. Meet with me 3-4 times during the semester (via Zoom)

  2. Participate in the OMNI showcase in December with a video presentation or poster presentation.

  3. If you do not participate in the OMNI showcase, a video presentation of your final project

  4. Act as a group facilitator for online discussion boards (asynchronous)

  5. Participate in honors only discussions

  6. Other activities or assignments to be determined.