Course Syllabus


Print Syllabus
Course ID: IFS201
Title: Research in the Digital Age
Modality: Internet
Credit Hours: 3.00

Course Section Information

Institution: Rio Salado College

Section: 11933

Term: Fall 2014

Start Date: 9/29/2014

Weeks: 14

Last date to withdraw: None

Instructor: Sarah Kaufman

Course Materials

There is no required text for this course. Lessons are provided entirely online. Readings and media clips are embedded within the lessons. These are considered part of the course materials and it is expected that you will visit all links and study the content provided, in order to be successful.

Course Description and Competencies

Official Course Description
Development of skills and competency in accessing, evaluating and using information resources while examining the social and historical context, as well as the technological implications of the use and organization of information.
Official Course Prerequisites
A grade of "C" or better in ENG101 or ENG107.
Official Course Competencies
  1. Describe the evolution and integration of information from print to digital formats.
  2. Determine the nature and extent of the information needed.
  3. Access needed information effectively and efficiently.
  4. Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into a knowledge base and value system.
  5. Describe the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information.
  6. Synthesize and communicate information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

Course Requirements

You must complete all of the assignments in the course in order to receive a passing grade.

Time Requirements

Remember that this is a three credit-hour class. As such, you will need to dedicate significant time to this course. Plan to spend at least three hours on course content and at least six hours on homework for a total of at least nine hours each week. Be prepared to double your weekly class and study time if you choose an accelerated calendar.

Grading Procedure and Scale

Grading Procedure
There are 800 possible points for this course
Two quizzes at 30 points each = 60 Points
Two written assignments at 20 points each = 40 Points
Two written assignments at 30 points each = 60 Points
Five written assignments at 40 points each = 200 Points
Four written assignments at 60 points each = 240 Points
One final research assignment at 200 points = 200 Points
Total = 800

Grading Scale

Letter grades for assignments, examinations, and the course will be determined by the following scale:

720 - 800 points = A (90% - 100%)
640 - 719 points = B (80% - 89%)
560 - 639 points = C (70% - 79%)
480 - 559 points = D (60% - 69%)
0 - 399 points = F (0% - 59%)

Please Note: The grading procedure for this course is based on the total number of points possible.

The grading scale is administered equally to all students in the course. Do not expect to receive a grade higher than that earned by your total points. There will be no "point adjustments" made for such things as "class participation" or other subjective factors.

Please note: Extra credit is not available for this course.

Submitting Assignments

All assignments are listed under the "Reading Assignment" box and in the "Assessing Your Learning" section. The lessons can be accessed from the "Syllabus and Lessons" links on your Course Homepage.

In Lessons 2-11, your assignments will be submitted by copying and pasting your work directly into the online submit form for the associated assessment. In Lesson 12, you will upload your assignments as zipped attachments.

Online Zipped Attachment:

All attachments must be zipped before submitting them online. Windows and Mac operating systems contain built-in utilities to zip files and folders. You may also use third party software if you desire, but the compressed file must be in a .ZIP format. To zip attachments in this course, please follow these instructions:

Windows Compression Utility:

  1. Create a folder on your Windows Desktop. (It should be titled with your name and the lesson number and/or name.)
    EXAMPLE -"John Smith Lesson 1"
  2. Save all assessments, publications, exercises, assignments, etc.in this folder.
  3. When all assessments, publications, exercises, assignments, etc. for the lesson are in the folder, right click on it and select "Send To" and then "Compressed Folder." See Figure 1.
  4. This will create a .zip folder on your desktop.
    EXAMPLE -"John Smith Lesson 1.zip"
  5. You can then submit the .zip folder, via the link at the end of the lesson.
Windows Zip Utility Screenshot
   

Mac OS Archive Utility:

  1. Create a folder on your Mac Desktop. (It should be titled with your name and the lesson number and/or name.)
    EXAMPLE – “Jane Smith Lesson 10”
  2. Save all assessments, publications, exercises, assignments, etc. in this folder.
  3. When all assessments, publications, exercises, assignments, etc. for the lesson are in the folder, click on the folder to select it, right click on it, and select Compress. See Figure 2.
  4. This will create a .zip file on your desktop.
    EXAMPLE – “Jane Smith Lesson 10.zip”
  5. You can then submit the .zip folder, via the link at the end of the lesson.
Mac Zip Utility Screenshot

Note to students: Keep a copy of everything that you submit.

Final Grade Options

  • Honors Option - This is an Honors eligible course. Students may earn Honors credit by completing the “Honors option” version of the final assignment.
  • Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) - awarded if the student completes all work.
  • Extension (in lieu of Incomplete grade) - Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course. Please Note: Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.
  • Withdrawal-Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the “Last Date to Withdraw” indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.  

    Students should not contact their instructor to request a withdrawal. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting my.maricopa.edu. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by providing Student Enrollment Services with appropriate documentation.

  • Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - This course may be taken on a credit/no credit basis. See detailed information about the (P/Z) option here.

Exams

There are no required in-person exams for this course. The final research project is due 2 weeks after the completion of Lesson 12.

Hints for Success

As you work your way through the lessons in this course, be sure to visit all links to additional readings and media clips. The information provided through these links is considered part of your course material, and may form the basis of questions in your assignments.

Copyright Acknowledgements

Some images used in courses are licensed as follows: Accunet/AP Multimedia Archive, http://www.clipart.com, http://www.jupiterimages.com, EBSCO Image Collection, ARTstor Image Collection.

The following items are copyrighted and have been reproduced in this online course, through special permission granted by the rights holders, with all rights reserved. If permission has not yet been received, items are made available under the Fair Use Statute, Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. The material is made available solely for the use of registered students in this class and may not be further distributed to any person outside the class, whether by copying or by transmission in electronic or paper form.

Burkhardt, Gina, et al. "Information Literacy." enGauge 21st Century Skills: Literacy in the Digital Age. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory and the Metiri Group, ©2003. Used with permission.

Cohen, Laura. Boolean Searching on the Internet: A Primer in Boolean Logic. 2013. Some rights reserved. Used with permission.

Copyright and Fair Use Guide for Phoenix College Students. Developed by the Phoenix College Information Literacy Assessment Committee, © 2005, Phoenix College. Used with permission.

Nunburg, Geoff. Timeline of the History of Information. Used with permission.

Assignment Due Dates

Assignments are due on time according to the calendar schedule for this class. If you need to request an extension for an assignment, a written request must be submitted to your instructor by clicking on the Due Date link on your course portal.

You may accelerate this schedule and submit your assignments earlier than the dates listed.

If you decide to accelerate:

  • You may not turn in more than two assignments at one time, and must not be more than two assignments ahead of the instructor grading and returning work to you.
  • Assignments need to be turned in, in sequence.

Late assignments may be docked a letter grade at the instructor's discretion.

Course Completion Policy

A student who registers for a Distance Learning course is assigned a "start date" and an "end date." It is the student's responsibility to note due dates for assignments and to keep up with the course work.

If a student falls behind, she/he must contact the instructor and request an extension of her/his end date in order to complete the course.

It is the prerogative of the instructor to decide whether or not to grant the request.

Submitting Assignments

Online Submission Platform

The assignment due dates in this course are structured to complete all the lessons over the span of the course. Regular and consistent progress is expected in the course through the submission of assignments. The submission of an assignment can be no earlier than 7 days prior to the due date. Consult your course gradebook for specific due dates. Assignments/acknowledgments must be submitted through the online submission platform unless otherwise directed.

Final Grade Options

  • Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F)

  • Extension (in lieu of an incomplete grade): Students may request an assessment extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. Assessment extensions may extend up to two weeks beyond the established course end as indicated in the gradebook. Please Note: Assessment extensions are given at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.

  • Withdrawn Failing (Y) – Students may be removed from their classes with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade for non-participation, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

  • Withdrawal (W) - Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the "Last Date to Withdraw" indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.

  • Instructors are unable to submit a withdrawal (W) on behalf of a student. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting View My Classes/Schedule in the Student Center, and selecting Drop Classes. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by submitting a "Request for Complete Withdrawal From All Courses" available under the Records heading on Rio’s Important Forms page.

    Before withdrawing, students should consider contacting their instructor and/or Rio's Counseling Services to see what options are available to help them stay in class.

    STUDENTS – STOP Before You Drop! A withdrawal request is irrevocable, and may affect future Financial Aid, Visa status, Veteran benefit eligibility, scholarship eligibility and may delay graduation. Please be sure that it is the right option for you before submission.

    STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

  • Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - Some courses may be offered with a credit/no credit option which, if offered, would be identified in the Grading Procedure and Scale section of this syllabus. See detailed information about the (P/Z) option here.

  • Note: Choosing the P/Z option is a permanent change to the gradebook. A P/Z grade will not be changed to a letter grade after the course end date.

Regular and Substantive Faculty-Student Interaction

The Rio Salado College faculty provide learners with frequent opportunities for regular and substantive interaction, which are critical components of a quality online program. At a minimum, faculty teaching online courses for credit monitor weekly due dates and initiate contact with students, post course announcements and/or "From Your Instructor" (FYI) notes that are academic and relevant, respond to academic inquiries within 72 hours, and provide detailed, personalized, and timely feedback. In addition, faculty regularly engage in synchronous and/or asynchronous interaction with students via tools such as discussion boards, rubrics, voice threads, video conferences, audio recordings, phone calls, email and/or text messages, social media, and online collaboration software. Though faculty members are responsible for initiating interaction, providing academic information, and facilitating learning, Rio students are responsible for remaining in regular contact with their instructors and engaging with the course content as active participants in the educational experience.

Requirement for Active Class Participation

Withdrawal for Non-Participation (Y) – Students need to communicate regularly with their instructor and engage in academic activities as determined by the instructor and department. Students may be removed from their classes after 14 days of non-participation with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

If you receive financial aid of any kind, it is your responsibility to protect your eligibility to receive financial aid by meeting the active participation requirements of this class.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Students will not be discriminated against on the basis of a disclosed pregnancy. This includes discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. As a result, a pregnant or parenting student (a student during a defined postpartum period lasting up to 8 weeks after delivery), may be provided adjustments so they are able to access and participate in their educational program or activity.

Please visit the Working with Pregnant and Parenting webpage to learn more about this policy, reasonable adjustments and complete the Pregnancy Adjustment Form. If you have questions about the policy, please contact Rio Salado College’s Title IX/504 Coordinator Tafari Osayande at o.tafari.osayande@riosalado.edu or (480) 517-8196.

In the event of certain pregnancy-related medical complications, contact Disability.Services@riosalado.edu or call (480) 517-8562 for assistance in providing accommodations/academic adjustments.

Basic Needs

If a lack of basic needs such as food, transportation, school supplies, etc. is affecting your participation and/or performance in this course, please contact the Rio Salado Counseling Department at 480-517-8785 or via email at counseling.receptionist@riosalado.edu.

For additional services and resources:

Rio Salado College Counseling and Career Services
Maricopa Basic Needs and Community Resources

Library Services

The Rio Salado Library is committed to student success and provides a variety of materials and services to enhance student learning. Utilizing Rio’s online library for your research is the best way to ensure that your sources are validated, authoritative, and appropriate for college-level coursework. The library's Video Tutorials page provides instruction on how to use the online library to find books, articles, ebooks, and more. Librarians are available to help you at all times via our Ask a Librarian live chat service.

Please note that when library materials (e.g., articles, ebooks, and streaming media) are integrated into your lesson content, you will see the notation “…provided to you through the Rio Salado Library.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct includes cheating, conspiring to cheat, soliciting to cheat, attempting to cheat, plagiarism, fabrication on an assignment, or other forms of dishonest presentation.

Posting assessments on an unauthorized web site, soliciting assessment answers and the unauthorized acquisition of assessments, assessment answers, or other academic material is cheating. Turning in content created by essay generators or other types of artificial intelligence platforms is also academic misconduct.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or sharing of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

We expect every student to produce his/her original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy (including cheating and plagiarism) can expect sanctions as specified in the college catalog.

Rio Salado College uses software that uncovers plagiarism from student to student and other data sources on the Internet. If a student is found to have plagiarized content, grade consequences will be applied in accordance with departmental policies.

Civility Policy

The faculty of Rio Salado place a high value on the importance of general ethical standards of academic behavior and expect that communication between students and instructors or among students shall maintain the level of formality and mutual respect appropriate to any college teaching/learning situation.

Language or behavior that is rude, abusive, profane, disruptive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Activity of this type is Academic Misconduct as defined in MCCCD Policy AR 2.3.11. Students engaging in such behavior will be removed from the course with a failing grade. Additional sanctions may be applied pursuant to AR 2.3.11.

Honors Program

If you are taking this course for Honors credit, you must complete all assessments, including the Honors Project(s). The Honors Project(s) are listed in one or more lessons of the course and are designated for "Honors Students." Failure to complete the Honors Project(s) will result in a failing grade in the course and a loss of Honors credit.

Honors students are also enrolled in a non-credit Honors Achievement Award (HAA) or Presidential Honors Scholarship (PHS) section within RioLearn to submit co-curricular activity submissions. Co-curriculars must be completed in order to receive funding.

The Honors Department is here to support you! Connect with the college and other Honors students in our INSCRIBE community.

The Honors Department is available to provide additional resources and support to support your journey. Please contact the Honors department at RioSalado.Honors@riosalado.edu.

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Religious Accommodations

Rio Salado College will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of their students, when requested and the requests are made in accordance with the procedures set forth in ND-4. Any student may request a religious accommodation by making a written request for an accommodation to the appropriate faculty member using the Religious Accommodation Request form. To the extent possible, requests must be made at least two (2) weeks before the requested absence from class due to religious holiday or day of observance.

Addressing Incidents of Sexual Harassment/Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Stalking

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCCCD prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The District also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, District employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in District policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by District policy. Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Student Solution Center

Rio Salado College is dedicated to a quality learning experience and has provided the Student Solution Center webpage as a resource for students to raise issues to our attention. We look forward to the opportunity to provide an equitable solution for all involved parties. For grading or instructional issues, students should first contact their faculty member(s) in accordance with the Instructional Grievance Process. For non-instructional complaints, students may contact Institutional Integrity and Compliance by submitting the non-instructional complaint form, emailing studentcomplaints@riosalado.edu, or calling 480-517-8505. Students may also contact their state regulatory agency; the Arizona SARA Council; and/or the Higher Learning Commission to escalate their concerns.

Change of Address

Please notify Course Support at (480) 517-8243 or 1-800-729-1197 or by email at course.support@riosalado.edu. Please include your name, student number, phone number, and new address including city, state, and zip code.

Contact Us

Please see the following page for contact information.

Disclaimer

Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

Rio Salado College Copyright

Course Content © Copyright 2021 Rio Salado College. All Rights Reserved.