New York City College of Technology

LIB 1201, OL50 – Research & Documentation for the Information Age

Class Time: Monday & Wednesday 10:00-11:15 AM, please see details under course communication

Faculty: Prof. Nandi Prince

Email: nprince@citytech.cuny.edu

Office Hours: via Zoom on Wed 11:30 am -12:30 p.m.(phone by appt.)

Course Communications

1. Classes meeting dates and times are a combination of synchronous, meaning via Zoom video conferencing and asynchronous. Asynchronous class days will not be live meeting dates, but you will be expected to review the work posted and complete the assignment by the required date and time which counts as the class participation grade for the days we do not meet live.
2. Students are expected to check Black Board and Open Lab regularly for course announcements, additional readings and projects. Direct communication with me should be through your Citytech email only. Email subject line “LIB1201 OL50FirstNameLastName-Topic, e.g. LIB1201OL50PrinceNandi – Research Paper. All email communication will be read and replied to between Monday and Friday, excluding Thursday. If you wish to have an individual consultation, a telephone conference or Zoom meeting may be arranged outside of office hours.
3. We will use: Blackboard, OpenLab and Zoom

Course Description

In this course we will explore issues in research and documentation for text (in print and online), images, sound, and multimedia. You will investigate where information comes from and how it is organized in both traditional and emerging media. We will examine the ethics of information use and determine how to critically evaluate sources. Throughout the course, you will create and present research and documentation projects using traditional and emerging media and technologies. We will be using the Sackler’s family wealth from the sale of OxyContin and their philanthropy to the art world as a model for employing research and documentation skills. You should expect to spend 4-6 hours outside of class time preparing for class each week.

Learning Outcomes

For the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• 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
• Collaborate with a group to complete, modify, and document a process online
• Apply documentation methods and citation styles appropriately in your own work

READINGS

This is a writing intensive course! No Required Textbook!

Materials to read or watch are assigned for each class and listed on the syllabus. You are expected to complete the reading for each class day prior to the class meeting time as they are No live session scheduled. Review posted content and complete assignment which will count as participation grade for that day.

Reliable access to the internet and to a computer with word processing software are essential for successful completion course assignments. For technical support contact http://it.citytech.cuny.edu/, you may email the  student’s help desk at StudentHelpDesk@citytech.cuny.edu between or call them at 718-260-4900 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Blackboard and OpenLab will serve as a discussion forum that you will use throughout the term. You will also be placed into groups. Use these opportunities to demonstrate understanding and thoughtfulness of the course. You will focus on your group, but you are free to observe the conversation from other groups as well.

Assignments and Grading: Your grade in this course will be based on: •Participation in class discussions and in-class assignments 15% •Blog posts 20% • Topic selection and Proposal 5% Annotated bibliography 10% •Research paper 20% •Online documentation project 15% •Class presentation 15%. Rubrics for each assignment are on Blackboard.

Assignments

Participation 15%: This grade rewards those who participate in large and small group discussions actively, attentively, and put in the extra work needed to improve their skills.

Blog Contributions 20%: Short blog posts are related to the assigned readings are required throughout the course. You will need to post all 10 blog entries, answering the prompts. You must post your own blog by the assigned date and be prepared to discuss in class. You will interact with your fellow classmates online by posting and commenting  on their blogs.

Research Project 35%: The research project is comprised of topic selection and proposal 5%; Annotated Bibliography 10%; and Research Paper 20%. More details and guidelines for each component of the assignment will be posted on the course website and discussed in class. Each student will write an argumentative 5-page paper, not including the bibliography. You will first select any topic covered in the lectures and identify a specific arguable issue approved by me. Must use fives sources, 2 must be peer- reviewed. More details and guidelines for the assignment are  provided during the lecture and posted to Blackboard.

Online documentation project 15%: In small groups assembled by yourself, students will build an online resource and collaboratively document their process.  You will first select a topic of interest, and approved by me. Present an online exhibit detailing the research you have done on your chosen item using Omeka. A list of topics of  some research e.g.:

1. Cultural appropriation in art: Jimmie Durham – Native American Art
2. Censorship –objectionable art. What debates might be made upon art considered repugnant art and public funding?
   1. Paintings embroiled in protest. E.g. Balthus, “Therese Dreaming” Creates a Ruckus at the Met
   2.  Dana Schutz, Emmett Till;
   3.  Sam Durant’s Scaffold Comes Down at the Walker Art Center

1. Sun Yuan and Peng Yu’, Dogs That Cannot Touch Each Other.
2. Removal of confederate monuments, e.g. Virginia
3. Brooklyn Museum “The Play of the Unmentionable”
4. Degenerate Art project at MoMA

1.  Copyright Infringement
   1. Artist Lisa Congdon vs Cody Foster & Company
   2. Art Rogers – 1985; Polychrome: Jeff Koons – 1988
   3. Associated Press Photographer: Mannie Garcia – 2006 vs Poster by Shephard Fairey – 2008
   4. Photographer Patrick Cariou – 2000; Adaptation by the appropriation artist Richard Prince – 2008 The Gagosian Gallery. Graham vs Prince 2015 court case

Group discussion forum 15%: Each student group will give a 10 – 15minute class presentation describing their topic and the class will engage in a discussion forum utilizing the online resource that they use as a reference and to present facts and information to back up their narrative.

Full details and requirements for each assignment will be discussed in class and posted on the course blog.

Mid-Term Self Evaluation Due Oct 26

Compose an email to me (nprince@citytech.cuny.edu) with answers to each of the following questions. No need to use an attachment, just write and cut and paste your answers directly into the email. You are welcome to approach this self-evaluation either as a series of answers to questions or as a less formal letter to me about the course.

1. Evaluate your work on the blog. What aspects of your work are the strongest? What could have used more work? How has your thinking evolved from one week to the next? Feel free to use the posted rubric to assess your own work.
2. How would you characterize your involvement in discussions so far? What are your strengths and weaknesses in this regard?
3. Have you completed all assigned work for the course (Worksheets, Blog entries /comments, Topic proposal, Annotated Bibliography)?
4. What letter grade would you give yourself for the first half of the course and why? Consider preparedness, the strength of your written work, your participation in discussion, and your goals for the semester.
5. How is the course meeting your personal learning goals?
6. (Optional): What questions do you have for me at this point? About the subjects of the class? About your work/ progress this semester? Are there any aspects of your work that you would particularly like feedback on?

Self- Evaluation Due Dec 16

Compose an email to me (nprince@citytech.cuny.edu) with answers to each of the following questions. No need to use an attachment, just write and cut and paste your answers directly into the email. The questions are less prescriptive than on the mid-term self-evaluation, in order to give you an opportunity to reflect on the course in a way that feels appropriate to you.

Write  short evaluation of your performance in this class (250-500 words), addressing the following questions: How many blog entries/comments did you produce? Were you prepared for each class week? Did you do all the required readings and worksheets? How would you characterize your overall effort, interest, and commitment to the class? Did your engagement increase or decrease as the semester went  along? How did you meet the goals for this course?

What letter grade would you give yourself for this class and why? Consider preparedness for class, the strength of your written work and other assignments, and your participation in discussions.

Netiquette” is the portmanteau for “network etiquette”, or the do’s and don’ts of online communication. The ground rules to observe when on online are:

• respecting the right of each person to disagree with others;
• responding honestly but thoughtfully and respectfully, using language that others will not consider foul or abusive;
• always signing your name to any contribution you choose to make;
• respecting your own privacy and the privacy of others by not revealing information you deem private and that you feel might embarrass you or others;
• being constructive in your responses to others in the class;
• being prepared to clarify statements that might be misunderstood or misinterpreted by others.
• honoring their right to their opinions

One good way to avoid problems is to reread your postings before sending them. Something written in haste may not say what you really think, after the heat of the moment has passed.

A Special Note About Anger…

• Do not send messages that you have written when you are angry. You will almost always be sorry because anger almost always inspires anger in others.
• In the online world, angry messages are known as “flaming” and are considered bad behavior.
• Do not send messages that are written all in uppercase; this is the visual equivalent of SHOUTING. It is considered aggressive, and in the online world, it is considered bad behavior. If you ever feel like shouting a message, take a deep breath and wait until you have calmed down before responding. Then, respond in a calm and factual manner.

Resources

Wellness: I also encourage you to take advantage of City Tech’s support resources by calling 718-260-5030 or visiting the Counseling Services Center (http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/students/counseling/services.shtml). They can help address personal topics, and offer support for college-related stress.

Library: Website – https://library.citytech.cuny.edu/; Need to chat with a librarian: https://library.citytech.cuny.edu/help/ask/index.php

Accessibility Statement: City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled 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 at 300 Jay Street room L-237, 718 260 5143 or http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/.

The Academic Integrity Statement: Academic Integrity: Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the college recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension and expulsion.

Syllabus – Tentative Course Schedule (subject to change as dictated by the needs of the class). Please check the assignment each week before completing them. Our focus throughout the semester will be to enhance your research skills. Each unit will show the value of information and documentation to create and present projects using traditional and emerging media and technologies.

Readings for the day that they are listed under should be completed prior to arriving at class and come prepare to discuss. Abbreviations: BB: Blackboard; OP: OpenLab