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Library 199: How to Do Baseball Research is a four-credit class that
will be taught as a library special studies course in Spring term
2003. Its objective is to teach students the basic principles and
methods of conducting good research and to develop skills in finding,
using and interpreting various sources of information. The concept
behind the course is that while it is useful for university students
to learn good research skills early in their academic careers, it
is often difficult to get students to sign up for library courses
that teach research methods as an abstract concept. By centering
the course around a topic that is both widely popular and rich in
research possibilities, we hope to provide students with a learning
experience that is rewarding in terms of enhancing their future
academic success, and at the same time an enjoyable exploration
of America's "National Pastime".
We use baseball as a focus because it is an interesting and enjoyable
subject for many people to explore, and a significant American social
and cultural institution. The concepts and skills learned in the
course have applicability to further academic endeavors as well
as lifelong learning.
The course is geared toward lower-divison undergraduates, and there
are no prerequisites. It is open to any undergraduate student, but
is not available for graduate credit.
About the Instructors:
Ted D. Smith is a librarian (associate professor) with the University
of Oregon Libraries, and a member of the Society for American Baseball
Research (SABR). He has taught several previous courses on library
research, including Introduction to Library Research, The
Contours of Cyberspace, and Internet Information and Culture.
Mark Watson is the Associate University Librarian for Collections
& Access (professor) with the University of Oregon Libraries.
He is also a member of SABR. |
