IC in Specific Disciplines
Introductory Competencies in Specific Disciplines

Though there are specific competencies required within each discipline, all students should master the 10 basic information competencies outlined in the CSU Information Competence Project. These 10 core competencies are as follows.
  1. Define the research topic.
  2. Determine the information requirements for the research question, problem, or issue.
  3. Locate and retrieve relevant information.
  4. Use the technological tools for accessing information.
  5. Evaluate information.
  6. Organize and synthesize information.
  7. Communicate using a variety of information technologies.
  8. Understand the ethical, legal, and socio-political issues surrounding information and information technology.
  9. Use, evaluate, and treat critically information received from the mass media.
  10. Judge the product and the process.

In addition, there should be a basic understanding of the body of literature for the discipline. This would include categories and types of information within the field. Depending on the discipline this can include any of the following: books, journal literature, conference proceedings, government publications, reference sources, WWW resources, technical reports, etc.

Students should be comfortable in the basic computer skills needed for the efficient electronic transmission of information. This includes an understanding of the concepts of downloading, printing, importing and emailing information.

For more on the process of identifying discipline specific competencies, click here.

Discipline Areas