Appendix 2: GEOC Program Plan For Information Literacy

Major Program ____Women¹s Studies_

Briefly describe how Information Literacy will be taught within your major

program. List courses in which these skills will be embedded.

For Women¹s Studies majors, Information literacy will be a special focus of

two courses:

WS 265W: Women¹s Studies Research Methodology: Analysis of gender bias in

research design and practice, problems of androcentric values, and

overgeneralization in research. Varieties of feminist research methods and

their implications for the traditional disciplines. Student projects using

different methodologies.

WS 289W: Senior Seminar in Women¹s Studies: A capstone course integrating

and analyzing Women¹s Studies theory and subject matter through research on

a common topic and discussion of advanced texts.

In both of these courses, and with increased sophistication in the capstone

course, Women¹s Studies students learn to practice advanced information

literacy through their research projects, group projects and discussion,

consultations with their instructors, and/or library instruction sessions.

STANDARD ONE: The information literate student determines the nature and

extent of the information needed. In both courses, students learn to define

and articulate their need for information through distinctive Women¹s

Studies methodologies. They learn to use new sources of information

pertinent to Women¹s Studies research (e.g., oral histories or alternative

press publications).

STANDARD TWO: The information literate student accesses needed information

effectively and efficiently. In both courses, students learn to use

resources specific to Women¹s Studies, such as specialized databases,

journals, and presses.

STANDARD THREE: The information literate student evaluates information and

its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his/her

knowledge base and value system. In both courses, students evaluate

information for androcentric bias. They develop an understanding of the ways

that the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality and other factors

can shape information.

STANDARD FOUR: The information literate student, individually or as a member

of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

In both courses, students pursue group and individual research projects that

enable them to use information effectively while engaging in Women¹s Studies

research.

STANDARD FIVE: The information literate student understands many of the

economic, legal and social issues surrounding the use of information and

accesses and uses information ethically and legally. Both courses emphasize

rigorous and ethical research process and require students to credit sources

appropriately and protect the privacy and security of sources as necessary.

Are all these courses required of your students? If not, how will you assure

that all students attain the exit expectations for Information Literacy.

These are both required courses for our majors.

Date of Approval by Faculty Committee____10-04-04_________

Date of Approval by School/College C&C Committee__10-12-04__

Major Program contact person __Marita McComiskey______________

Date Submitted to GEOC __10-12-04__