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Course Description

INFO 520, Information and Society, deals with theories used to delineate the relationships between data, information, and knowledge, theories of communication, the role of libraries, archives and records management operations in storing and providing access to information, and their emerging roles in the digital era. The course continues with a consideration of the ways in which various groups in society are dealing with information, including the economics of information, the development of national and international plans and policies, and legal issues concerned with intellectual property rights. The course also considers wider public policy issues related to censorship, intellectual freedom, access to government information, and personal privacy. It concludes with a consideration of issues of professionalism, and the future role of librarians and information specialists in a rapidly changing environment.

Remember that this course deals with concepts and ideas. Some of these are drawn from the social sciences, philosophy, history and philosophy of science, economics, law, and many other areas that may be new to you. Do not be overly concerned if some of the ideas, theories, and concepts are difficult to understand. Some of the issues are indeed extremely complex and may represent idiosyncratic points of view that, although they are of interest to some of us, may not always commend themselves to our particular orientation and way of thinking. You should aim for a relatively deep understanding of some of the ideas and issues -- particularly those that greatly interest you – or are relevant to your area of specialisation -- rather than a superficial overview of all the issues that are introduced in the weekly modules, the assignment readings, the focus questions, and class discussions.

In assessing your written work, we shall look particularly for your understanding of the relevant issues and concepts that you would like to raise, rather than for a superficial breadth of knowledge. If there are concepts, issues, and theories with which you do not agree, then say so, and give your reasons. If you plan to complete a Master's level qualification, the issues discussed in this course also provide rich territory for possible topics for your INFO 528 assignments and your INFO 580 research project. It is always worth noting down references to books or journal articles about political, social, or economic issues relevant to specific aspects of information management that you find particularly interesting -- because they may contain the seeds for research topics that for future courses. And remember that by choosing a research topic in the professional area in which you hope to work, you will be providing yourself with a valuable point to add to your CV, and with useful points of discussion for your job interviews!

Each week during the second half of the course I want you to identify researchable problems or phenomena related to key issues in the readings and discussions, so that we can spend a few minutes in each class talking about possible topics for your INFO 580 projects.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the INFO 520 course, students should be able to:

1. Identify and critically assess the key social, economic, political, and ethical issues and trends that impact upon information in modern society with special reference to New Zealand and its people.
2. Discuss the roles played by different types of libraries, archives, and records centres in the provision of access to information to specific client groups.
3. Critically evaluate government policy in New Zealand on issues related to the individual's rights with respect to access to government information, to personal privacy, to intellectual property, and to intellectual freedom.
4. Assess the evidence that supports the claim that librarianship, archives management, records management, and knowledge management are professions.
5. Explain the importance of research to the information professions, and demonstrate critical thinking about researchable aspects of information related issues that are important to information professionals and to society at large.

Schedule (tbc)

INFO 520 will be held in the first trimester (March-June) of the 2012 academic year. There will be no classes during the mid-term break (9-22 April).

• Internal students
  The weekly seminars will be held on Tuesday (from 10.30 a.m.-12.20 p.m.) in Rutherford House, GO2.
• Distance students
  The weekly Internet conference sessions will be held on Tuesday from 5.00-6.30 p.m. (Note: corrected Feb 7)
• Distance students (within Auckland)
  Sessions for Auckland students will be delivered by a mixture of audioconferencing during Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 from 5.00-6.30 p.m. on Thursdays; and face-to-face teaching on Saturday, 17 March, 10.30 a.m.-2.00 p.m. (covers Modules 1 & 2); Saturday, 12 May, 10.30 a.m.-2.00 p.m. (covers Modules 7 & 8).
  

Week	Topic
1	The Information Society
2	Information and knowledge, and the professions that manage them
3	Information services for the community
4	Serving the scholarly and research communities: Academic and research libraries
5	Information agencies and services for government bodies, businesses, and non-government organisations
6	The economics and value of information and information agencies
7	Information policy
8	Freedom of information
9	Protection of personal privacy
10	Intellectual property
11	Censorship
12	Information management and professionalism; Researchable aspects of information management

Assessment (taken from 2011)

This course will be internally assessed. For all further details, including due dates and submission details, you should refer to the 'Assessment' section on Blackboard.

Assignments	Date due	Value	Length
1. Essay (See Blackboard for details)	tbc	45%	2200 words
2. Report (See Blackboard for details)	tbc	45%	2200 words
3. Individual participation	See Blackboard	10%	See Blackboard