Syllabus

New York City College of Technology
Library Department

Prefer to read a PDF of this syllabus?

Where

• Blackboard for assignments, grades (login to access using your CUNY username and password)
• Zoom for synchronous classes, office hours (link on Blackboard)
• OpenLab for course materials (you are here)

Course Description

In this course we will explore issues related to research and knowledge production in different formats and environments. We will investigate where information comes from and how it is organized. We will look at issues of equity and social justice within information contexts, examine the ethics of information use, and learn how to critically evaluate sources. Throughout this course, you will create research and documentation projects using traditional and emerging media. This is a writing intensive seminar course.

Course Materials

There is no textbook for this course; all readings are free to read and available on OpenLab. You will need a laptop or tablet, access to the internet, and a notebook. City Tech has laptops and hotspots available for students who need to borrow them.

Land Acknowledgement

New York City is built on unceded land of the Lenape people–past, present, and future. We acknowledge that The New York City College of Technology is among the thousands of institutions and businesses in this city that were founded upon exclusions and erasures of indigenous people, including the Lenape who were displaced from this land. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to beginning the process of working to dismantle the legacies of settler colonialism.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the ways that information is produced and organized in a variety of formats.

Create and articulate a relevant, manageable research topic for your assignments.

Successfully search for and acquire appropriate information about your research topic in a variety of media and formats.

Critically evaluate and select information sources for your assignments and projects.

Use information ethically and responsibly with an awareness of copyright and fair use.

Synthesize information on a topic from a variety of sources and present your analysis in writing and orally.

Apply documentation methods and citation styles appropriately in your own work.

General Education Learning Outcomes

Community/Civic Engagement: Apply knowledge and analyze social, political, economic, and historical issues.

Professional/Personal Development: Work with teams, including those of diverse composition. Build consensus

Global/Multicultural Orientation: Demonstrate proficiencies and capacities in dealing with a diverse society

Information Literacy: Gather, interpret, evaluate, and apply information discerningly from a variety of sources.

Assignments & Grading

Citizenship	20%
Discussion posts	20%
Research Project	40%
Online Project	20%

Citizenship 20%: Citizenship is like participation but entails a bit more. It means: arriving to class and completing assignments on time, actively participating in discussions and activities, reaching out if you need help, respecting the opinions and contributions of others, and consistently engaging and investing in the work of the course and in yourself as a student.

Discussion posts 20%: Short responses to the assigned readings, videos, and podcasts are required throughout the course. Discussion prompts and due dates are available on blackboard. Students can submit written, video, or audio responses.

Research Project 40%: This is a multi-stage project beginning with a question and culminating in a research paper. Details, grading rubrics, and guidelines for each component of the assignment will be posted on Blackboard.

Online Project 20%: In small groups students will build an online resource. Details, grading rubrics, and guidelines for collaborating with group members will be posted on Blackboard.

Course Policies

Learning and staying engaged in an online course is challenging. Learning and staying engaged during a public health crisis is challenging. The policies for this course are important but also (mostly) flexible. Reach out to me if you have a personal or technological issue that is impacting your capacity to complete assignments or attend class. I’ve included a list of campus resources on this site that might be helpful to you.

Attendance & Participation: Every class matters, every person in this class matters, and every discussion matters. Reflect on your own learning habits and adopt practices that help you stay focused like taking notes and avoiding multi-tasking during synchronous classes and while completing assignments. Missed class time will impact your citizenship grade and grades on activities and assignments that require you to be present and participate.

Video & Digital Privacy: To protect our privacy and in protest of commercial platforms like Zoom, which profit off of user data, no synchronous class sessions will be recorded. Per CUNY’s policies, students cannot be required to keep their videos on during class meetings. However, because it is easier to communicate with one another when we can see each other, I encourage you to create an avatar with your photo (or a photo that represents you) and turn your video on if you are able to and comfortable doing so, especially during group work and interactive components of the course.

Reading & Assignments: All readings and assignments should be completed prior to class. Consult the course schedule for more info.

Accessibility: This class only works if it works for everyone and I will do my very best to make content accessible and engaging to all students regardless of learning style or ability. City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, please contact the Center for Student Accessibility.

Plagiarism & Academic Integrity: Attempts to pass off others work as your own will result in an automatic failing grade for the course. Academic dishonesty is strictly prohibited by The City University of New York. Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.