COURSE DESCRIPTION

Developed by WSU Libraries, University 300 has been taught for several years through the Extended Degree Program. Now available to all WSU students, Univ300 provides an opportunity to learn information literacy concepts and skills in a classroom setting. The contemporary information landscape offers students and scholars unparalleled access to information via computer networking, traditional, and alternative resources. To function in this environment, one must adapt quickly to the pace of change, learn new technical skills, and evaluate information resources. Univ300 helps students develop the awareness of research as a process involving strategic and critical thinking, and provides them with the technical and conceptual skills to succeed.

Univ300 is a one-credit course that may be taken independently or in conjunction with a "linked course" in any academic discipline. A successful link to Univ300 requires a 3-credit course with a substantial research assignment which stresses the research process.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Throughout the course, students engage in activities designed to illustrate research concepts through a series of on-line interactive modules. Topics include:

Contemporary and traditional information formats
Scholarly communication
Disciplinary assumptions and methodologies
Interdisciplinary considerations
Information channels
Publication cycles
Primary and secondary data sources
Formal and informal sources of information
The art of database searching
Library resources

Students also practice research-related skills such as database searching, information evaluation, question analysis, and Internet research methods.

Course material for Univ300 may be viewed at:
http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/univ300/campus/univ300.htm

webmgr@cni.org