Module Identifier CS35210  
Module Title IMPLEMENTING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr Mark Ratcliffe  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   20 lectures  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours Paper issued in advance.   100%  
  Supplementary examination   Will take the same form, under the terms of the Department's policy.    

General description
Recent advances in Computing and Telecommunications technologies are leading to dramatic changes in society and at home. There is general consensus about an information revolution and the arrival of an Information Society. This module will study issues related to this new information society. The module may prove of interest to students outside the Computer Science department. This module should not be confused with IL31310 (Information and Society) which is primarily aimed at professional Information Scientists.

Aims
The module aims to introduce students to a wide range of issues related to the coming of an information society. The module will study the history of developments which pave the way for the information society, the changes which are starting to occur in society, the economy and the home and the issues which need to be addressed in the future.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the module, the students will have developed a critical appreciation of:

When implementing IS applications they will be able to take proper account of:

Syllabus
1. Technological Developments - 4 Lectures
A not-very-technical look at the technological developments which have laid the basis for the Information Society. Digital broadcasting, convergence with telecommunications and its implications, use of the radio spectrum.

2. Electronic Commerce - 4 Lectures
Applications in banking, shopping, and so on. Implications for security and so on.

3. Workplace Revolution - 2 Lectures
New working practices enabled by an Information Society.

4. Social Revolution - 4 Lectures
New modes of human interaction. Implications for education, social division.

5. Legal Issues - 2 Lectures
Including issues of intellectual property, libel etc.

6. Telecommunications Regulation - 2 Lectures
The current state of telecommunications regulation at UK, European and Global levels. Problems of the current regulatory position and changes that are required.

7. Current Technical Research - 2 Lectures
A review of current work in the department and elsewhere, including the technology of remote presence applications.

Reading Lists
Books
In this fast moving field, books become out of date in months. A range of sources, mostly freely available on the World Wide Web, will be pointed out as the course proceeds. Students will be expected to search for other material on the Web..