Module Identifier IL31320  
Module Title INFORMATION AND SOCIETY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Anoush Simon  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   14 Hours. 14 x 1 hour lectrures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   6 seminars  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  50%
Semester Assessment Essay of 3500 words50%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
   






Brief description

We are constantly being told that ours is an Information Age and that we are living in an Information Society. But what exactly do these terms mean and how society at local, national and international level changed as a result of the advent of computers and the impact of Information and Communications technology (ICT)? The module will discuss these issues and many others; issues which are relevant to us all not just as members or prospective members or the information profession but also as private citizens.

Aims

The basic aim of this module is to revise and upgrade an existing 10-credit module (Information and Society) into a 20-credit module thus allowing students more time to investigate a subject that is constantly expanding and changing. With the advent of ICT and digitization a number of exciting and challenging initiatives are affecting the way information is being viewed by society in general and the information profession in particular.

Module Skills

Team work Some of the seminar exercises will involve group activity.  
Information Technology All course work will be required in word-processed format and students will be expected to have considerable IT skills in preparing for seminars. One of the required assignments (report) will assess each student?s ability to evaluate web-based resources.  
Personal Development and Career planning For students intending to enter the information profession this will be a relevant module.  
Subject Specific Skills * Independent project work: required for seminars and the report * Writing in an academic context: assignments presented according to accepted citation standards * Oral discussion and presentation: seminar participation and presentation * Self-management: time management for seminar and assignments  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Background
Cooke Alison (2001) A Guide to Finding Quality Information on the Internet 2nd. London: Library Association Publishing
Dearnley James and John Feather (2001) The wired world: an introduction to the theory and practice of the information society London: Library Association Publishing
Feather J (2000) The Information Society: a study of continuity and change 3rd. London: Library Association Publishing
Haywood Trevor (1999) Only Connect: Shaping Networks and Knowledge for the New Millennium London: Bowker-Saur
Haywood Trevor (1995) The Info rich- Info poor: access and exchange in the global information society London: Bowker-Saur
Hill Michael (1999) The Impact of Information o Society: an examination of its Nature Value and Usage London: Bowker-Saur
Library and Information Commission (1997) New Library; The People?s Network London: Library and Information Commission
Webster Frank (2002) Theories of the Information Society 2nd. London: Routledge

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6