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  2. The Information Society [IST5131]

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    The Information Society

  • Unit Code

    IST5131

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

The Information Society will provide an introduction to the concept of information and to the processes whereby it is transferred in society. Aspects of access, equity and ethical issues in relation to information services are examined. The unit looks at the policy, legal, technological and social environment in which information services operate. Current issues in information provision such as privacy, censorship and freedom of information will be considered.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded IST4102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the roles of various types of information workers.
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the political, technological, legal and social environment in which information services operate.
  3. Develop an understanding of the concepts of freedom of information, censorship and privacy and their implications for information providers.
  4. Evaluate the importance of policy formulation at all levels of government, in the provision of information services.
  5. Identify current and traditional techniques in the publishing and transmission and transfer of information.
  6. Investigate the impact that rapid technological change is having on these services.

Unit Content

  1. An introduction to the information society.
  2. Current issues in librarianship and information science at the national and international level.
  3. Education and the information society.
  4. Information and government.
  5. Information and technology.
  6. Information and the economy.
  7. The development of libraries and information agencies.
  8. The information worker.
  9. Transfer of information.
  10. Types of libraries and information agencies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures/Online courseware, Workshops/Tutorials and Guest speakers/Visits

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAnnotated bibliography15%
ProjectGroup wiki project30%
ReportEvaluation of policy40%
ParticipationParticipation in learning activities15%

Text References

  • Hanna, N. K. (2010). Transforming government and building the information society. New York, NY: Springer.
  • Alampay, E. (2009). Living the information society in Asia. Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Centre.
  • Crawford, W. (2011). Open access: What you need to know now. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
  • Webster, F. (2006). Theories of the information society. London, England: Routledge.
  • Feather, J. (2008). The information society: A study of continuity and change (5th ed.). London, England: Facet.

Journal References

  • Lloyd, A. (2012). Information literacy as a socially enacted practice: Sensitising themes for an emerging perspective of people-in-practice. Journal of Documentation, 68(6), 772-783.
  • Sturges, P. (2009). Information ethics in the twenty-first century. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 40(4), 241-251.

Website References

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

IST5131|1|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    The Information Society

  • Unit Code

    IST5131

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

The Information Society will provide an introduction to the concept of information and to the processes whereby it is transferred in society. Aspects of access, equity and ethical issues in relation to information services are examined. The unit looks at the policy, legal, technological and social environment in which information services operate. Current issues in information provision such as privacy, censorship and freedom of information will be considered.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded IST4102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the roles of various types of information workers.
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the political, technological, legal and social environment in which information services operate.
  3. Develop an understanding of the concepts of freedom of information, censorship and privacy and their implications for information providers.
  4. Evaluate the importance of policy formulation at all levels of government, in the provision of information services.
  5. Identify current and traditional techniques in the publishing and transmission and transfer of information.
  6. Investigate the impact that rapid technological change is having on these services.

Unit Content

  1. An introduction to the information society.
  2. Current issues in librarianship and information science at the national and international level.
  3. Education and the information society.
  4. Information and government.
  5. Information and technology.
  6. Information and the economy.
  7. The development of libraries and information agencies.
  8. The information worker.
  9. Transfer of information.
  10. Types of libraries and information agencies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures/Online courseware, Workshops/Tutorials and Guest speakers/Visits

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAnnotated bibliography15%
ProjectGroup wiki project30%
ReportEvaluation of policy40%
ParticipationParticipation in learning activities15%

Text References

  • Hanna, N. K. (2010). Transforming government and building the information society. New York, NY: Springer.
  • Alampay, E. (2009). Living the information society in Asia. Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Centre.
  • Crawford, W. (2011). Open access: What you need to know now. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
  • Webster, F. (2006). Theories of the information society. London, England: Routledge.
  • Feather, J. (2008). The information society: A study of continuity and change (5th ed.). London, England: Facet.

Journal References

  • Lloyd, A. (2012). Information literacy as a socially enacted practice: Sensitising themes for an emerging perspective of people-in-practice. Journal of Documentation, 68(6), 772-783.
  • Sturges, P. (2009). Information ethics in the twenty-first century. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 40(4), 241-251.

Website References

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

IST5131|1|2