Teaching and Learning

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Librarians can work with UIC faculty to create sessions relevant to course assignments and research papers. We are available to meet with you to plan an interactive research instruction session tailored to your needs.

Credit-Based Courses Heading link

COM Peoria M3/M4 ELEC 156: Survey of Medical Informatics

Professors Emily Johnson-Barlow, Carmen Howard, and Deborah Lauseng

Medical informatics is an interdisciplinary field concentrating on resources, devices, and formalized methods for optimizing the storage, retrieval, and management of biomedical information. The goal is to prepare medical students for success in residency and practice by providing a foundation in medical informatics. The asynchronous, self-directed course surveys information resources and management tools using a variety of instructional methods including online lectures/seminars, readings, and assignments. Assignments are designed for students to build informatics skills and to reflect and synthesize the impact informatics will have on their future career.

HON 201: Research Unbound: Creative Expressions of Scholarship

Professor Anne Armstrong

Students and scholars in academic settings have typically channeled their research findings through traditional products of scholarship such as research papers, peer-reviewed articles, academic books, conference reports and posters. While these formats sustain discourse within scholarly communities, they have limited potential for communicating important findings to the broader public. Unconfined by traditional scholarly conventions, scholars and artists have harnessed the narrative and visual power of alternative forms to convey research findings and information in highly creative formats, including but not limited to documentary film, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, infographics, performing arts, historical fiction and social media. Students will investigate how authors, artists, documentarians and performers have harnessed the unique potential of their chosen media to explore and expand upon themes of war and conflict, immigration, human rights and scientific discovery.

HON 122: Youth Activism in Social Media from a Global Perspective

Professor Anna Kozlowska

Generation Z is about to become a powerful voting bloc and economic force of modern societies; however, as UN 2016 World Youth Report indicates, “young people often feel disenfranchised and have become disillusioned with governing structures incapable of providing them with the opportunities and support they need to progress from youth to adulthood.” Although disappointed with traditional forms of political participation, young people are making their voices heard on social media. The goal of this course is to connect local and global issues concerning young people and teach students about the role of information and media in democratic societies. The course will approach media literacy from a multidisciplinary perspective and introduce students to a variety of social media personalities and campaigns. Students will also learn how to critically analyze information and consider how race, gender, and geographic location impact media exposure and the potential for a media message to go viral. Finally, the substantial part of the course will be devoted to active engagement with media for self-expression and democratic participation.

Honors 122: Media and Information Literacy in a Global Context

Professor Anna Kozlowska

We live in a media-saturated world that is rapidly changing. The media we choose to consume impact our daily lives, beliefs, political choices, and market behavior. The goal of this course is to connect local and global issues and to teach students about the role of news information and media in democratic societies. The course will approach media literacy from a multidisciplinary perspective and introduce students to a variety of media and information sources, theoretical frameworks for media and information literacy (MIL) education, and media representation of race, class, gender and sexuality. Students will also learn how to critically analyze information, look for credible sources, and recognize bias and propaganda. Finally, the substantial part of the course will be devoted to active engagement with media for self-expression and democratic participation.

HON 122: Media Literacy and Participatory Practices from Across the World: Does the Media Represent You?

Professor Anna Kozlowska

Traditionally marginalized groups have been misrepresented not only in the media but also in politics. But what happens when these groups channel their voice through digital platforms? Young people, in increasing numbers, assert their identity and political ideas through TikTok, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, etc. This course will travel to different regions worldwide, discussing issues concerning participatory politics such as cultural appropriation, discrimination, power relations, and postcolonial legacy. Digital content will be analyzed through a media and information literacy lens. This course will allow students to discuss the barriers youth face with political participation and dive deeper into their own identity. Students will have the opportunity to share their stories and ideas through discussion and other active-learning approaches. In addition, they will have the flexibility to submit assignments through videos, written work, posters, infographics, interviews, and other forms. Join us as we strive to dispel assumptions perpetuated by the media and shed light on the stories of youth worldwide.

HUM 120: Social Justice and the Politics of Information

Professor Teresa Helena Moreno

Is information inherently neutral? What types of political structures exist beneath the surface of our information that impact how we find, use and create information? This class will explore the humanities side of how information is created, used and shared in our society. We will use a social justice framework to explore topics such as how Google curates our searches, how the Library of Congress controls how information is organized and the political implications for us and society of how information is created and shared.

LIB 399: Research Experience in Library and Information Science.

Various Professors

Research experience in Library and Information Science under the guidance of a faculty member who will act as research supervisor. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Application of credit toward the degree is contingent upon the approval of the student’s college and/or department. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

LIB 573: Introduction to Managing Research Data.

Professor Abigail Goben

Description: Research data management is a critical challenge, with new and increasing obligations to preserve, share, reproduce, and handle data ethically, as well as opportunities to collaborate, reuse, and remix datasets within and across disciplines. This foundational course will help graduate students understand data management best practices and begin to implement them. Students will explore data types, rules, and requirements in their own and classmates’ disciplines; and identify opportunities to improve sharing, reproducibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This course includes asynchronous lectures and discussions, individual assignments, peer assignment review, and a group project.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Heading link

Online Research Guides

Librarians create a variety of online subject guides to assist students with the research process and help them identify key resources related to their disciplines and assignments, such as databases, books, or resources on the open web.  Course and subject guides can be accessed through the library website and/or linked to through course Blackboard sites. Contact the liaison for your discipline to plan a guide customized for your course.

Instructional Activities

Librarians can create research-related activities for your students to complete either within or outside of class.

Special Collections and University Archives

Archivists will work with you to customize learning activities to engage students with the building blocks of history, including rare books, original documents, historical photographs, and other special formats.

Research Assignment Consultation

Librarians welcome the opportunity to discuss research  integration of library resources and information literacy skills into course assignments.

Assessment of Student Research Skills

Librarians can develop formative assessments such as quizzes or knowledge probes to gauge student understanding of research-based concepts. They also integrate formative assessment techniques into library instruction to improve student learning outcomes and develop more effective instructional practices.

Individual Appointments with Students

Librarians are available to meet with students both in-person and online, with individuals or small groups. Students can sign up for an appointment online.

Workshops

Throughout the semester, librarians deliver in-person and online workshops on a variety of topics, from citation management systems to conducting graduate-level research. Check the schedule to see what is available, or suggest a topic you’d like to see covered. Librarians can also develop workshops for specific audiences on demand.

Blackboard Integration

At the top of all Blackboard pages, there is a library tab that directs students to key resources. Your liaison librarian can also be added to your course as a course builder to directly provide support to students or provide links to research guides or specific resources.

Online Tutorials

Librarians can suggest and create video and interactive tutorials for students focused on a variety of research skills. These tutorials can be used in flipped-classroom settings, or to simply reinforce course content.