Table of Contents

General Information
Course Overview
Course Objectives
Methods of Instruction and Learning
Expectations for Student Performance
Grading
Performance Expectations
Texts
Required Tools

General Information

Unique number: 44930 (meets with TLC 311 (44365))
Class time: Monday & Wednesday, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Place: SZB 546
Office: 445
Physical Office hours: Mondays, 2:30 - 3:30 pm and by appointment
Virtual Office hours: Monday - Friday (with 24 hours response)
Instructor's email: hhaub@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Phone: 471-2718 (office)
TA: Stephen A. Naron, sanaron@gslis.utexas.edu
TA hours in the GSLIS I.T.Lab: Wednesdays, 2:30 - 4:30 pm, and by appointment
Newsgroup: utexas.class.lis312

Top of the Page

Course Overview

The official course description for LIS 312/TLC 311 is as follows:

“Basic skills in using the Internet as a medium for information, research, communication, and multi-media resources. Covers basic skills such as email, ftp, World Wide Web, file compression, use of search engines, and web publishing; introduction to larger issues such as governance, ethics and freedom of expression.” (from the UT/GSLIS Course Catalog, 1999.)

“Information in Cyberspace” (LIS 312/TLC 311) introduces students to the history, infrastructure, governance, and state-of-the-art developments of the Internet. Instructional methods combine lectures, readings, online demonstrations, class discussions, guest speakers, and individual and group computer exercises. Participation in this course provides opportunities to develop intuitive, technical, and cognitive skills to conceptualize and explore the Internet.

As citizens of this networked community, students develop skills to locate and evaluate networked information resources. Specifically, the goal of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to use the Internet to accomplish individual and organizational objectives. These objectives include: gaining access to information resources and repositories; contacting and participating in electronic communities; using sophisticated computational and analytic tools; and identifying, investigating, synthesizing and articulating social and political issues related to the Internet.

As the global telecommunications infrastructure spans the world, students will be better prepared to deal with new forms of communication in Internet service settings. In the global context, international aspects of the Internet are given due attention.

Top of the Page

Course Objectives

The students will:

-Develop conceptual and practical expertise for information network applications within the information service setting. This includes the use of the Internet as a communication, reference, and research tool.

-Develop skills to effectively communicate to others about the use of the Internet through individual assistance or group instruction.

-Develop a basic understanding of the local and global telecommunication infrastructure.

-Develop a basic understanding of the political and social issues relating to access to and use of the Internet.

-Utilize the results of computer-assisted research for academic success in lifelong learning.

-Develop and use skills to locate, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and design resources and services on the Internet.

Full participation in course activities will enable students to:

-Develop basic UNIX, HTML, and networking skills.

-Explore past, current and future trends of the Internet.

-Investigate information resources and services on the Internet.

-Observe and investigate behavior in this virtual community.

-Enrich the Internet community through analyzing, synthesizing, and presenting new information on the Internet.

Top of the Page

Methods of instruction and learning will include:

• Use and study of the Internet as an information resource and object of study.
• Lectures by the instructor and guest experts.
• Presentation of online demonstrations.
• Use of hands-on experience and demonstration of skill competency.
• Participation in student facilitated class discussions.

Top of the Page

Expectations for Student Performance

Students are expected to:

Attend all class sessions. If a class is missed it is the student's responsibility to obtain notes or assignment sheets from a classmate.

Read all assignments prior to class.

Spend 3-4 hours in preparation for each hour of classroom (virtual and face-to-face) instruction.

Participate in class discussions with contributions that reflect familiarity with and understanding of readings, networking tools, and Internet experience.

Collaborate with classmates in the development and presentation of group projects.

Complete and hand in all assignments on time. Assignments are due at the start of class on the date listed in the schedule. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL RESULT IN THE DEDUCTION OF 1 POINT PER 24 HOURS. There will be no makeup work permitted in any case.

Be responsible for the care or return of collective property (I.T.Lab and library materials).

Turn off all mobile phones, pagers, or other personal equipment that could disturb class meetings.

This course will be taught according to the University's policy on the accomodation of disabilities. Students who need accomodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) (471-6259/471-4641 TTY).

Please bring all complaints to the instructor first. I'll be happy to try to quickly resolve any problems that may arise. If you must miss a class session or project deadline, it is always best to contact the instructor prior to any absence.

Top of the Page

Grading

Grading on assignments will be based on the following scale:

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = Below 60%

Students taking the class CR/F must earn at least 60 average to earn a CR. All work will be graded on a 100 point scale. The grade of X (incomplete) will be given only in cases of emergencies which have been reported at the time of emergency. Where possible, grading criteria for assigned work will be clearly indicated. Should you have a question about a grade you have received, please feel free to see the instructor.

Top of the Page

Performance Expectations

Ongoing: 30% of final grade

In the Face-to-Face Classroom students will:

• Participate in class discussions;
• Integrate common readings into assignments, group projects, and class discussions;
• Contribute new learning to class demos and practice in a facilitative manner;
• Attend all classes. It is the students' responsibility to sign the attendance sheet at the beginning of every class once attendance taking was introduced.
  (7% of final grade consisting of 5% attendance and 2% classroom discussion)

In the Virtual Classroom students will:

• Read the newsgroup and email at least once a day;
• Post facilitative messages to the newsgroup;
• Complete all "roamwork" assignments, and other exercises as directed in class and on the newsgroup within the prescribed deadline.
• Communicate, as needed, with instructor, classmates, and group project members using email and/or the class newsgroup;
• Demonstrate networking competencies by completing exercises successfully.
  (23% of final grade consisting of 3% follow-ups on newsgroup and rest as announced prior to actual exercises or roamwork assignments)

One-time: 70% of final grade

Specific written instructions for the one-time assignments will be distributed in class as separate handouts.

• Complete three competency quizzes.
  (each 10% of final grade)

• Prepare and present one class demonstration and training session on an information networking skill or resource. The topic must be approved by the instructor before Febr. 28, 2002. The presentation is to be accompanied by a class handout available on the Internet according to HTML standards. The demonstration may be presented either individually or with a partner.
  (15% of final grade)
  

• Prepare a semester-long group project selected by the student and approved by the instructor.
  (25% of final grade)
  

Top of the Page

Texts (see also Readings):

1. Castro, Elizabeth. HTML 4 for the World Wide Web, Fourth Edition. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 1999. (required)

2. Todino, Grace, Strang, John, and Peek, Jerry. Learning the UNIX Operating System. 5th ed. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly & Associates, 2001. (highly recommended)

3. Course handouts.

4. Several other readings available for copying in the file cabinet located in the GSLIS ITLab.

5. Online resources available through the Internet, posted to the newsgroup, or identified in class otherwise.

Top of the Page

Required Tools:

1. Internet access, either through UT or through another service provider.

2. A timesharing account -- You need to get an account on the GSLIS cluster in the Information Technology Lab at SZB 451. Complete the application form at http://www.gslis.utexas.edu/technology/accounts.html. However, this account will be removed at the end of the semester. All communication for LIS 312 has to be sent from Your timesharing account. Messages sent from any other account will not be tolerated after the second week of instruction. If you want access from home (using computer, modem and phone line) you will need to request an telesys account. See http://www.utexas.edu/cc/account for more information.

3. Convenient access to PC or Mac with word processing software, telecommunication software, and a modem or a direct UTnet connection.

4. Blank diskettes for downloading and uploading.

Heiko Haubitz
Last update: January 2, 2002