COMM120

ST UDENT WARNING: This course syllabus is from a previous semester archive and
serves only as a preparatory reference. Please use this syllabus as a reference only until
the professor opens the classroom and you have access to the updated course syllabus.
Please do NOT purchase any books or start any work based on this syllabus; this syllabus
may NOT be the one that your individual instructor uses for a course that has not yet
started. If you need to verify course textbooks, please refer to the online course
description through your student portal. This syllabus is proprietary material of APUS.

Course Summary
Course : COMM120 Title : Information and Digital Literacy
Length of Course : 8
Prerequisites : N/A Credit Hours : 3

Description
Course Description: Information and Digital Literacy is designed to provide students with sustainable and
usable skills essential to success in both academic and professional settings. Students will learn best
practices to locate and evaluate sources, and effectively communicate using digital literacy to become
proficient 21st century learners.
Course Scope:
Students will learn about information literacy and be introduced to critical digital literacy. Topics include
navigating the APUS Library, locating, retrieving, selecting, and storing information, evaluating and
synthesizing information, and being able to communicate this information in a professional manner. Skills
covered include the inquiry and analysis, critical thinking, information literacy, and ethical reasoning and
competencies covered include digital technology and professional/work ethic.

Objectives
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
CO1 Explain the need for accurate and responsible information literacy in the contemporary digital world.
CO2 Locate, access, and choose information that aligns to the scope of the intended research while using a
well-planned strategy.
CO3 Define and illustrate fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.
CO4 Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal restrictions of published and copyrighted material and how
to use information to avoid plagiarism.
CO5 Analyze the quality of sources: assumptions, currency, and authority, and evaluate the context of when to
use information.
CO6 Describe the concept of a digital footprint for individuals and organizations and the positive and
negative consequences on privacy and security issues.
CO7 Recognize and understand the role of civility.
CO8 Synthesize information from multiple scholarly sources and communicate information with clarity and
depth via a multimedia project.

Outline
Week 1: Digital Information Literacy

Course Objectives
CO1 Explain the need for accurate and responsible information literacy in the contemporary digital world.
Required Readings
Week 1 Lesson
Week 1 Required Activities
Week 1 Reading & Resources
Assignments
Week 1 Discussion
Week 1 Quizzes

Week 2: Digital Information and Sources

Course Objectives
CO2 Locate, access, and chose information that aligns to the scope of the intended research while using a
well-planned strategy.
CO3 Define and illustrate fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.
Required Readings
Week 2 Lesson
Week 2 Required Activities
Week 2 Reading & Resources
Assignments
Week 2 Assignment: Project Plan
Week 2 Discussion
Week 2 Quizzes

Week 3: Ethical and Legal Issues

Course Objectives
CO4 Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal restrictions of published and copyrighted material and how
to use information appropriate to avoid plagiarism.
Required Readings
Week 3 Lesson
Week 3 Required Activities
Week 3 Reading & Resources
Assignments
Week 3 Discussion
Week 3 Quiz

Week 4: Storing Information

Course Objectives
CO5 Analyze the quality of sources: assumptions, currency, and authority, and evaluate the context of when to
use information.
Required Readings
Week 4 Lesson
Weel 4 Required Activities
Week 4 Recommended Reading
Assignments
Week 4 Assignment: Source Evaluation
Week 4 Quizzes

Week 5: Organizing Information

Course Objectives
CO5 Analyze the quality of sources: assumptions, currency, and authority, and evaluate the context of when to
use information.
CO7 Synthesize information from multiple scholarly sources and communicate information with clarity and
depth via a multimedia project.
Required Readings
Week 5 Lesson
Week 5 Required Activities
Week 5 Recommended Reading
Assignments
Week 5 Discussion
Week 5 Quizzes

Week 6: Sharing Information

Course Objectives
CO6 Describe the concept of a digital footprint for individuals and organizations and the positive and
negative consequences on privacy and security issues.
Required Readings
Week 6 Lesson
Week 6 Required Activities
Week 6 Recommended Reading
Assignments
Week 6 Discussion
Week 6 Quizzes

Week 7: Presenting Information

Course Objectives
CO8 Synthesize information from multiple scholarly sources and communicate information with clarity and
depth via a multimedia project.
Required Readings
Week 7 Lesson
Week 7 Recommended Reading
Assignments
Week 7 Assignment: Field of Study Project

Week 8: Reflecting on the Process and Civility

Course Objectives
CO1 Explain the need for accurate and responsible information literacy in the contemporary digital world.
CO7 Recognize and understand the role of civility.
Required Readings
Week 8 Lesson
Week 8 Reading & Resources
Assignments
Week 8 Discussion

Evaluation
Grading:

Name Grade %

Materials
Book Title: Various resources from Trefry Library and/or the Open Web are used. Links provided inside the
classroom.
Author:
Publication Info:
ISBN: D2L Note

There are no required books for this course. The readings are provided inside the classroom.

Course Guidelines
Writing Expectations

All activities completed in this course are to follow the stated instructions (inside the classroom). Always check the
grading rubrics to see what your instructor will be looking for when grading your work. Also, be sure you have read the
APUS Plagiarism Policy (the entire Academic Dishonesty section) before submitting work in this or in any other
course. See the above Course Outline or the Policies section on this Syllabus for links.

Citation and Reference Style

Attention: You will follow the citation style that is common to your discipline. Instructions regarding citation
styles are included in the classroom.

Late Assignments

Students are expected to submit classroom assignments by the posted due date and to complete the course according
to the published class schedule. As adults, students, and working professionals, I understand you must manage
competing demands on your time. Should you need additional time to complete an assignment, please contact your
instructor before the due date so we can discuss the situation and determine an acceptable resolution.

Also, completing the Assignment (under the “Assignments” tab) is paramount to your success in this course.

Netiquette

Online universities promote the advancement of knowledge through positive and constructive debate, both inside and
outside the classroom. Forums on the Internet, however, can occasionally degenerate into needless insults and
“flaming.” Such activity and the loss of good manners are not acceptable in a university setting. Basic academic rules
of good behavior and proper “Netiquette” must persist. Remember that you are in a place for the rewards and
excitement of learning, which does not include descent to personal attacks or student attempts to stifle the learning of
others.

Technology Limitations: While you should feel free to explore the full range of creative composition in your
formal papers, keep e-mail layouts simple. The Sakai classroom may not fully support MIME or HTML encoded
messages, which means that bold face, italics, underlining, and a variety of color-coding or other visual effects
will not translate in your e-mail messages.
Humor Note: Despite the best of intentions, jokes and especially satire can easily get lost or taken seriously. If
you feel the need for humor, you may wish to add “emoticons” to help alert your readers: ;-), : ), .

Disclaimer Statement

Course content may vary from the outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

University Policies
Student Handbook
Drop/Withdrawal policy
Extension Requests
Academic Probation
Appeals
Disability Accommodations
The mission of American Public University System is to provide high quality higher education with emphasis
on educating the nation’s military and public service communities by offering respected, relevant, accessible,
affordable, and student-focused online programs that prepare students for service and leadership in a
diverse, global society.

ST UDENT WARNING: This course syllabus is from a previous semester archive and
serves only as a preparatory reference. Please use this syllabus as a reference only until
the professor opens the classroom and you have access to the updated course syllabus.
Please do NOT purchase any books or start any work based on this syllabus; this syllabus
may NOT be the one that your individual instructor uses for a course that has not yet
started. If you need to verify course textbooks, please refer to the online course
description through your student portal. This syllabus is proprietary material of APUS.