Overview
The American River College Library courses teach vital research skills that enable students to achieve success in their college classes, their careers, and their day-to-day lives. Students will learn research skills to cope with the information rich environment in which they live. In particular, students will learn how to find and critically evaluate information from a wide variety of sources to meet their information needs.
Library (LIBR) Courses
LIBR 318 Library Research and Information Literacy
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:CISC 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course introduces the skills necessary to conduct research and helps students refine their current research skills. This course covers the research process including developing search strategies, using a variety of research tools, and resources selecting relevant sources. Critical evaluation of information, including how bias, power, and privilege influence the creation of, dissemination of, and access to information is also explored. The topics covered in this course are applicable to personal, professional, and academic research.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- recognize how information literacy is applied in personal, professional, and academic research.
- develop strategies for identifying, exploring, and refining a research topic.
- use a variety of research tools and resources to search for and access information.
- evaluate sources to determine credibility, relevance, privilege, and how information is impacted by the dominant culture.
- explain the importance of information ethics, and how to use information ethically.
- critique how bias, power, and privilege influence the creation, dissemination, and access to information.
LIBR 325 Internet Research Skills
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:CISC 300; and eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course surveys the content, use, and evaluation of electronic information sources. Emphasis is placed on the effective use of the Internet as a research tool. It covers Internet resources including the deep Web, Web portals, online databases, and library catalogs. Communication services such as email, newsgroups, listservs, blogs, and social networks are also studied as are Web 2.0 and other emerging technologies. Database search strategies, techniques, and critical evaluation of information are covered. Historical and social issues surrounding the Internet are also discussed.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe the historical and ongoing development of the Internet with emphasis on technical, social, economic, legal, and ethical issues.
- compare and contrast information retrieval systems, such as search engines, directories, and library databases in terms of content, reliability, ease of use, and consistency.
- identify online databases and other electronic sources to select the most appropriate, relevant information for a research need.
- formulate a research question and construct effective search strategies and techniques that address the nature of the question.
- critically evaluate online information for authority, relevance, scope, timeliness, and accuracy.
LIBR 494 Topics in Library Science
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:9 - 72 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course provides an opportunity to study current topics in library science that are not included in existing courses.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze an information need and determine the extent of information needed
- Access information effectively and efficiently
- Evaluate information and its sources critically
- Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
- Describe the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information
LIBR 495 Independent Studies in Library
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:18 - 54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course provides an opportunity for independent study on issues related to library science.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze an information need and determine the extent of information needed
- Access information effectively and efficiently
- Evaluate information and its sources critically
- Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
- Describe the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information
LIBR 499 Experimental Offering in Library
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
Faculty
