WHAT IS IT?
Library 463/563, Internet Information & Culture, is a course designed to to enhance students' understanding of and ability to work with one of the key technological advances of our era - the Internet.
The course has three major segments:
- A two week introductory segment which gives students an introduction and overview of the Internet: what it is and how it got to be this way.
- A three week segment on the practicalities of how to use the Internet, i.e. how to find information, evaluate information, create content, and participate in the online world.
- A five week survey of the social and cultural implications of the technology of networked information. We will examine Internet culture and how it impacts the larger society, Internet commerce, Internet entertainment, issues of control and regulation of the Internet. We will end by projecting the future of information networks and possible outcomes of current trends: both desirable and undesirable.
This course is web-based, but not self-paced. This means that we
will not meet face to face, but you will have specific deadlines
to meet. Each week I will introduce a new topic for discussion, with
readings, discussion questions, and assignments. We will be using the Blackboard course software, which includes dicussion boards and chat rooms to allow opportunites to interact with the instructor and fellow students. This course will require daily attention —expect to spend at least 8-10 hours online each week, in addition
to time spent working on assignments.
Students requiring special accommodations related to disability
should contact me (see below) to discuss
your needs.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ALREADY?
This course is not a remedial course in using computers or the
Internet. In order to spend our time on the heart of the course,
you'll need to start out by being comfortable using a computer, and have some
experience navigating the Internet. This means that you should know
how to use a word processor, connect to the Internet, how to send and read email, how to
use a web browser, and how to get from Point A to Point B on the web.
You do not, however, need to know anything about web publishing, or
be particularly proficient in searching the Internet — these
we will cover during the course.
WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER DO I NEED?
Because this is a web-based course, you will need to own or have
access to a reasonably pwerful computer. I would suggest a processor speed of 333 MHz or better, with a minimum of 64 MB of RAM and running a 32 bit operating system (e.g. Windows 95 or better, MacOS 7.5 or higher, or 32 bit Unix). A 56 kbps modem or broadband Internet connection is highly recommended. The public-access computers in the UO Library system meet these requirements. It is possible to complete the course by using library workstations and/or the various computer labs on campus. However, given the amount of online and computer time the course will require, students should carefully consider the amount of time they are willing to spend in the library or labs if they don't have a computer of their own.
There are also a couple of other requirements for this course:
- You must have an e-mail account that also provides you with space for a web site, since you will be creating a web site as part of this course. Student accounts on gladstone or darkwing meet this requirement.
- You should be using a web browser that is capable of rendering web pages written in HTML 3.2 or higher. Either the Netscape or Microsoft browsers, version 4.0 or higher, meet this requirement. Both are available as free downloads from the web, and often come as part of your computer's operating system.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Currently Enrolled UO Students
This course requires pre-authorization before you can register on
DUCK CALL. All you need to do is
send me an e-mail
with your name, SSN, the course number (LIB 463 or LIB 563) and a
brief statement indicating your interest in the course and that you've read this page and understand the requirements. I'll then have you authorized so you can register via DUCK CALL.
All Others
You must contact the
Community
Education Program to obtain a PAC number that will allow you to
register on DUCK CALL. Once you have a PAC number,
send me an e-mail
with your name, SSN, the course number (LIB 446 or LIB 563), and
a brief statement indicating your interest in the course, and
I'll authorize you to register for the course. Then it's just
a matter of using DUCK CALL to register.
For more information, please contact:
Ted Smith, Document Center- Knight Library
University of Oregon Library System
Office: 136 Knight Library (ask at Knight Library Document Center Desk)
Phone: (541) 346-1884
Email:
tedsmith@darkwing.uoregon.edu
instructor Ted Smith / office 136 Knight Library /
mailing address Knight Library / 1299 University of Oregon / Eugene
OR 97403-1299
phone (541) 346-1884 / fax (541) 346-3485 / email
tedsmith@darkwing.uoregon.edu
