This class is designed to allow the student to become a proficient searcher and discerning consumer of online information. This includes mastering the use of:

• Search engines and web indexes
• newsgroups and listservs
• WebPals, the library's online information system
• Lexis-Nexis, as well as other library subscription databases

The class will meet Thursday afternoons, September 12 through November 14, from 2:00 to 3:20 p.m. Class time will include some lecture, which will outline and demonstrate the basic principles relating to that week's lesson, but will primarily be a lab, which will allow for hands-on practice, group work, and presentations.

There will be several short assignments and one final project. The assignments will be due the week following the discussion of the topic. The final project will be due by the Thursday following the last class session, i.e. November 21. The small assignments will be worth approximately 2/3 of your grade points, with the final project making up the final 1/3. A combined score of 70 points will be required for passing. Letter grades will be assigned in the following manner: A - 90% or above; B - 80% to 89%; C - 70% to 79%; D - 60% to 69%.