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For Rhetoric Instructors

What do picking a research topic, formatting a bibliography, evaluating resources, and understanding algorithmic bias in Google search results have in common? They are all aspects of information literacy. 

Our librarians work collaboratively with faculty and instructors to help students develop information literacy skills and comprehension supportive of academic coursework and lifelong learning goals. We believe that information literacy is an integral part of a liberal arts education. Our profession has been actively engaged with developing a definition of information literacy for higher education for many years. currently, the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education offers this definition:

Information Literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of
information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of
information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.

Libraries-Rhetoric Collaboration:

Our ongoing collaboration with the Rhetoric Department is an ideal partnership:

  • We understand that you have a lot to cover in your semester already, and we know from experience that information literacy is essential for students to be successful in your courses. We’re experts in information literacy instruction and can help integrate information literacy learning into your coursework so it’s not an add-on and something additional to cover.
  • We also know that it’s integral for students to develop an early, foundational understanding of information literacy, and collaborating with Rhetoric faculty and instructors helps us lay this foundation, and to do so in creative and engaging ways.

What our collaborations can look like, and how we can help:

Librarians are available to consult with you on a variety of topics to support your teaching, and to support your own research needs and interests.

We can provide you with:

  • help with assignment design. This can include working one-on-one with faculty and instructors to create learning outcomes and objects for your students, or hosting collaborative workshops to develop information literacy activities that integrate with classroom learning objectives and fulfill student needs.
  • recommended resources to complement your assignments. This can take a variety of forms, but the Subject Guide is perhaps the most popular. Click here and here, for examples.
  • help with basic information literacy instruction. This includes, for example, teaching your students how to find and especially evaluate resources in all formats. See For Rhetoric Instructors Subject Guide for examples of basic information literacy lesson plans.
  • a widget with research tips to add to your class ICON page
  • a new type of collaboration yet to be developed. We’re excited and open to new types of collaboration – just ask!

In addition, we have digital content you can share with your students, including:

  • digital content you can share with students, including:
  • video tutorials on library topics, which you can share through ICON. Want something else we haven’t made a video of yet? Just ask!
  • a subject guide specially created for Rhetoric students
  • an audio tour of the library (available as a podcast)
  • Two Undergraduate Engagement Librarians excited to work with Rhetoric faculty, instructors, and students
  • A team of Subject-Specialist Liaisons who can help with your instruction and your research

So, what can we do to help you? How would you like to collaborate?

Let us know by filling out the following form:

After submitting the following form, a librarian will contact you to schedule an initial meeting to discuss ideas and make plans for any instructional needs and ideas you want to explore. Please try to submit a request 2-3 weeks prior to the date on which you hope to schedule a library-related activity, lesson, or project.

Name:

Email address:

I am interested in talking to a librarian about (please choose all that apply):

  • help with assignment design
  •  recommended resources to complement assignments
  • help with basic information literacy instruction
  •  a widget to include on class ICON page
  •  just want to begin a conversation with a librarian, that’s cool too
  •  other, please describe:

What assignment/activities would you like to connect with information literacy instruction or library resources? Please provide as much detail as possible (assignment parameters, texts used, etc.). If available, please attach a copy of assignment documents or course syllabi.

Please provide a brief description of how you would like to incorporate library-related instruction, resources, or projects into your course:

For more information, please contact

Undergraduate Engagement Librarians:
Cathy Cranston, cathy-cranston@uiowa.edu
319-384-2090

Katie Hassman, katie-hassman@uiowa.edu

Kathy Magarrell, Head, Research & Library Instruction
Main Library
319-335-5093
kathy-magarrell@uiowa.edu
319-3355945

Directory of Subject Specialists

 
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