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Student Learning Outcomes

I am primarily interested in improving your abilities to think and reason in a scientific (skeptical) manner.  In this class you will develop a “case study” of an issue in Science and Technology prepared both orally and in a written form.  You may choose to work independently or as part of a group (for the oral presentations).  You are expected to develop an hypothesis regarding an issue in Science and Technology that you then go on to attempt to disprove by researching the wealth of resources available.

Students will: 

  be able to identify and explore in a scientific manner pertinent issues in Science and Technology. 

  be able to integrate social, political, religious, historical and scientific aspects of present issues in Science and Technology.  

  use these multiple perspectives to express, in oral and written form, opinions, with supporting evidence, about these topics.  

  be able to create a defensible position by formulating oral and written arguments about these topics considering the future implications.  

 be able to properly cite resources that are acquired to evaluate the topics selected. (Cheating, dishonesty, and plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in failure of the assignment and/or course. Please review these articles on plagiarism: "What is Plagiarism at Indiana University"; "How to Avoid Plagiarism"; "Avoiding Plagiarism")

Upon completion of this course, students will have gained experience and skill in the following University Student Learning Outcomes: 

University Goal #8  Technological Literacy

 Develop knowledge of modern technology. Process information through the use of technology. Collaborate with others using technology tools.
University Goal #7  Problem Solving Understand the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of knowledge. Apply critical, analytical, creative and systems thinking in order to recognize and solve problems. Work individually and collaboratively to recognize and solve problems. 

University Goal #6  Information Literacy 

Identify and locate multiple sources of information using a variety of methods. Analyze and evaluate information within a variety of disciplinary and professional contexts. Participate in collaborative analysis and/or application of information resources.

University Goal #4  Effective Communication 

 Know the fundamental principles for effective and appropriate communication, including reading, writing, speaking & listening skills.  Organize thoughts and compose ideas for a variety of audiences, using a full range of communication tools and techniques.  Participate in collaborative projects requiring effective communication among team members.
In this course, your progress toward achieving the goals of technological and information literacy will be explicitly evaluated.  We will focus on demonstrating your growth toward achieving these goal as we progress through the term. 

The Library Information Literacy Program has a variety of resources that should help you improve your skills in technological literacy. Some assignments are derived from this program. It is expected that the student demonstrate more highly refined ability to use the technology and access information during the term.

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Course notes developed by Nora Egan Demers, Ph.D.
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Do not reproduce without permission.