GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE APPROVAL PAGE

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Instructor: Ed Hahn, Business & Economics Librarian

Email: edwardhahn@weber.edu

Phone: (801) 626-8662

Office: Stewart Library, Room 144

Course Introduction

Welcome to Information Resources in Business Disciplines. This one credit course primarily intended for business students satisfies Part D of the Weber State University Computer and Information Literacy requirement. This course focuses on understanding, utilizing, and evaluating business resources.

You begin this class by reading the Course Syllabus. Please read this syllabus carefully, it contains the information you need regarding due dates for all of the assignments and quizzes. I recommend you print a copy of the syllabus so you have it readily available.

Once you have read the syllabus you then need to take the Syllabus Quiz that is based on the syllabus. With the Syllabus Quiz:

• You need to get all of the answers correct
• You may take the quiz as many times as you need to get all of the correct answers
• You are not graded on the quiz

Once you have successfully completed the Syllabus Quiz, you will then be able to access the Student Introduction, course readings, lectures, and assignments.

Instructor Introduction

Welcome once again to the Information Resources in Business Disciplines class. My position here is as the Business & Economics Librarian. In addition to teaching this class, my other duties include library instruction for subject specific courses, working at the reference desk, and developing and maintaining the business resources for the library. I look forward to working with you throughout this course.

WSU Online

This course is taught exclusively online. It may be accessed through your student portal or by going directly into WSU Online (also known as Vista): http://online.weber.edu.

If this is your first time using WSU Online or you haven’t used it in a while, you want to make sure your browser is functioning properly. You check this by clicking on the Check Browser link before logging in.

Doing the Check Browser will ensure that you are:

·         Running a browser that is supported (Generally Firefox or Internet Explorer work the best)

·         Cookies and Java are enabled

·         Pop-up blocker Check is turned off

·         You are currently running a supported version of Java Runtime

You may use other browsers, however when you login you may receive an error message. This should not prevent you from accessing the course.

More instructions are included if there are problems with your browser. It is important that your browser be set properly since you will be adding attachments to your assignments. All computers on campus and in the library are properly setup if you have problems with your own. If you need further assistance please contact the IT Service Desk at (801) 626-7777.

Course Communications

Our primary means of communication is through the WSU Online Email.

Since we are exclusively online:

• I will attempt to send out reminders through WSU Online Email about due dates, as well as modifications about the reading materials and assignments
• It is extremely important that you read your WSU Online Email at least every other day
• While I will attempt to send out regular reminders, it is up to you to stay on top of the assignment due dates

The easiest way to reach me is through the WSU Online Email (I read this daily). You may also reach me through my Weber State email (listed at the beginning of the syllabus), or by phone.

I am primarily at the Ogden Campus during the daytime hours but can make arrangements to meet with you at other times or at other locations such as the Davis Campus.

I am more than happy to give you assistance, but you need to get in touch with me and please don’t wait until the assignment is due to ask for help.

Office Hours

I don’t have specific office hours, but I am generally available during the daytime hours if you need to meet with me. However, the best way to meet with me is to contact me ahead of time to ensure I am available.

Course Goals

After completing this course you will be able to:

• Develop a business research topic
• Develop focused research questions on your business topic
• Search library databases and other sources to find resources on your topic
• Understand Information Ethics (plagiarism and how to avoid it)
• Understand how to summarize and evaluate your sources
• How to properly cite your resources in APA format
• Become acquainted with business reference resources covering company and industry information, market information, finance, and investment resources

Note: While you are developing a topic, summarizing, evaluating, and documenting your resources, you will not be doing a full research paper.

Course Materials

All of the course materials are available as readable or in lecture formats. You may choose to read the materials, watch the course lectures, or some combination of the two.

There is no textbook required for this course.

Course Modules

On the course home page is an ICON for introductions. Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to the classroom.

This course consists of four modules. As mentioned previously, you may watch/listen or read the materials from each module, or a combination of the two. If you choose to watch or listen to the modules, make sure you have Adobe Flash installed on your PC, your sound card is enabled, and you need to have access to High Speed Internet service.

Module1:

This module introduces you to the different formats of information. If you want to listen to the contents of the module, you should allow yourself approximately 35 minutes for the entire module.

Module2:

This is the most in-depth module in the course. In this module you will be introduced to:

• Developing a business related topic
• Developing search terms
• Identifying focused research questions
• Developing a thesis statement
• Searching for articles on a business related topic in a business article database
• Searching for books on a business related topic using the library catalog

Since this module is the most in-depth and covers a lot of material, I highly recommend that you do not wait until the last minute to work on the module assignment.

If you want to listen to the contents of the module, you should allow yourself approximately 70 minutes for the entire module.

Module3:

This module introduces you to summarizing, evaluating, and documenting resources that were found in Module 2. You will also be introduced to searching on the web in this module.

If you want to listen to the contents of the module, you should allow yourself approximately 25 minutes for the entire module.

Module4:

This module introduces you to various online business reference resources available through the library. There are five assignments with five of the resources covered. If you want to listen to the contents of the module, you should allow yourself approximately 23 minutes for the entire module.

Quizzes

You will begin this class by reading the course syllabus and taking the Syllabus Quiz which is not graded.

There are a total of four graded quizzes worth a total of 50 points. The four quizzes and points are:

• Module1 Quiz – 10 points
• Module2 Quiz – 10 points
• Module3 Quiz – 10 points
• Module4 Quiz – 10 points

With the quizzes:

• You can take them each twice
• The higher score of the two will be the one that is counted
• And they all need to be completed by the end of the course

Assignments

There will be a total of five (5) assignments for this course. Assignment 1 is all multiple choice, while Assignments 2 – 4 are delivered to you in Microsoft Word. Each assignment must be completed and submitted as an attachment (no exceptions). I highly recommend you download and save the assignment before opening, then saving and closing the assignment before attaching and submitting. Assignments 2 – 4 need to be submitted using Microsoft Word. If you are having problems with attachments, this usually means that something is not configured properly on your PC. If you are having problems, do not let this keep you from submitting your assignment on time. As a last resort you may email me the assignment.

Assignment 5 is broken up into five (5) parts (A-E), each consisting of 10 questions each totaling 50 points.

Do not change the format of the assignments and do not remove the questions from the assignments. I must be able to read the assignments or you will not get credit for them.

Please save a copy of your assignments, I can’t grade the assignment if I cannot read it.

Microsoft Word is available on all campus as well as the library computers.

While this is not a writing class, I do expect your writing to be clear and complete. This includes grammar and spelling. Please contact the writing center on campus if you need assistance with your writing.

Assignment Descriptions

Assignment 1:

This assignment from Module1, asks you to identify the format of a couple of articles, as well as identifying the information format based on the description. You will also identify the types of reference resources.

Assignment 2:

This assignment from Module 2 requires you to:

• Develop a business related topic
• Develop focused research questions
• Find two scholarly journal articles (using one of the library article databases) that meet the criteria in module 1
• Find one non-scholarly article (using one of the library article databases) that may be a popular magazine, trade publication, or newspaper article

This module and assignment will probably be the most time consuming of the class. I highly recommend you do not wait until the last minute to get started. You will need to resubmit the assignment if you do not have scholarly journal articles.

Please note: You may work with one other person from the class on this assignment. If you choose to work with one other person on this assignment, you will also need to work with that person on Assignment 3.

Assignment 3:

This assignment from Module 3 requires you to:

• Document your resources you found in Assignment 2
• Summarize your resources you found in Assignment 2
• Evaluate your resources you found in Assignment 2 based on identified evaluative criteria

You must have Assignment 2 completed and graded before you can do this assignment.

Please Note: If you worked with another person on Assignment 2, you will also need to work with that person on this assignment.

Assignment 4:

This assignment also from Module 3 requires you to:

• Evaluate four specific websites based on a specific criteria

Assignment 5:

This assignment from Module 4 requires you to:

• Find specific information using subject-specific library databases subscribed to by the Stewart Library
• Find specific information on some websites
• Please don’t be alarmed by the number of assignments, they are all multiple choices covering one specific part of the module.

All of the information you will using is available online. There are five (5) different parts to this assignment, each consisting of 10 multiple choice questions:

• Assignment5a – Covers the database Mintel Market Reports
• Assignment5b – Covers the database Morningstar
• Assignment5c – Covers the database International Directory of Company Histories
• Assignment5d – Covers the database LexisNexis Academic
• Assignment5e – Covers the online resource Statistical Abstract of the United States

Course Ethics

Each student is required to turn in his or her own work. However, students may collaborate with one another on the assignments.

Any form of academic dishonesty (including cheating and plagiarism) will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade. Plagiarism will be discussed in more detail in one of the course modules.

Please contact me if you have any questions on this matter.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Services Center.

SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including the syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary. For more information about SSD contact call (801) 626-6413, email: ssd@weber.edu, or http://departments.weber.edu/ssd.

Assignment Due Dates

All assignments must be turned in by 11:59 pm on the assignment due date. I reserve the right not to accept late assignments.

All late assignments without a valid excuse will be subject to the following penalties:

• Any late assignment without a valid excuse will be penalized 20% of the total amount
• Any late assignment without a valid excuse that is four (4) or more days late will be penalized 30%
• Any late assignment without a valid excuse that is more than seven (7) days late will not be accepted
• Two or more late assignments without a valid excuse will automatically result in a drop of one letter grade, this is in addition to the late penalties
• Failure to turn in an assignment may also result in a drop of one letter grade

All parts of Assignment 5 (a-e) are due on the same date as noted below and will not be accessible after the due date.

While Assignment1 is due on August 31^st, I will allow it to be completed by September 3^rd without penalty. This assignment will not be accessible after September 3^rd. To help you get through this and on to the second assignment, I advise you to complete Assignment1 by the listed date. Assignments 2-4 will be assessed a penalty if they are late.

Please Note: You cannot pass this course if you have not satisfactorily completed Assignments 2 and 3, regardless of your overall score.

Valid excuses for late assignments may include:

• Family emergency
• Health Problems
• Your being deployed/Military Service
• Problems with the WSU Online System such as the network is down

Not valid excuses for late assignments include:

• You forgot the assignment was due (check the due dates here in the syllabus they are clearly listed)
• You ran out of time (there is plenty of time to do the assignments, waiting until the last minute is not an excuse)
• Other course assignments (I understand you have other responsibilities, but you chose to take this class and are still required to complete the assignments on time)
• First time taking an online course (this is the case for many of you so join the club, take some time to get familiar with navigating the course)
• Problems with your home PC and Internet access (it is up to you to make sure you have access to a computer with Internet access. There are plenty of PCs available on campus)
• On vacation (you are still responsible for the course modules and completing the assignment on time)
• You moved (it is still your responsibility to complete each assignment)
• Job travel

Course Due Dates & Points

Please pay close attention to the due dates for the assignments and quizzes below. I am strict about when the assignments are due except for Assignment1 as noted above; however, you are welcome and encouraged to work ahead of the due dates.

Please also note: All quizzes are due at the end of the course. This does not mean you need to wait until the last minute to complete them. They are available with each module and there is plenty of time for you to complete each of them.

Grading

Points