Information Studies

In contrast to courses providing training in Information Technology, Information Studies concentrates on examining information issues from social perspectives. In addition to learning about computer languages and communication systems, this major enables students not only to use, but also to critically analyse, reflect on, and contribute to transforming information systems in their social context. The subjects in the major include a range of social science and humanities disciplines in Arts and beyond that specifically address information issues.

The core subjects look specifically at information issues. They do not assume prior study in the discipline. The subjects in the strands draw from established courses in four faculties.

Major Study

A major in Information Studies is an interdisciplinary program of core and optional subjects totalling 66 credit points (dependant on the course strands chosen by the student). It includes at least 24 credit points at 300-level. Subjects are drawn from the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Informatics, and Law. Students must complete all core subjects and the required subjects from two strands. Students may not take both Strand 2 and Strand 4.

(Note: If the required subjects in particular strands are not available, please see the coordinator of the major for advice on appropriate alternatives).

Minor Study

A minor in Information Studies consists of 28 or 30 credit points from the schedule of the major, including two subjects from the core and one subject from each of the three levels. IACT subjects may not be counted with BUS subjects at 200- and 300-levels. Students may not cross-count any subjects from the minor in any other minor or major study.

Study Program

Subjects	Title	Session	Credit Points
Core Subjects
SMAC100	Thinking about Societies, Technologies and Cultures	Autumn	6
CSCI102	Systems	Spring	6
STS 128	Computers in Society	Spring	6
Electives Two of the following strands must be completed but students cannot count both strand 2 and strand 4
Strand 1: Three of the following subjects, including at least two at 300-level:
MACS335	Electronic Cultures	Autumn	8
POL 224	Politics and the Media	Spring	8
STS 288	Science and the Media	Autumn	8
STS 322	Politics in a Technological society	Autumn	8
STS 341	Technological Change, Popular Culture and New Media	Spring	8
Strand 2: All of the following:
IACT201	Information Technology and Citizens' Rights	Autumn	6
IACT202	The Structure and Organisation of Telecommunications	Spring	6
IACT301	Information and Communication Security Issues	Spring	6
IACT303	Worldwide Networking	Spring	6
Strand 3
LAW 100	Law in Society	Autumn	6
LAW 21O	Contract Law	Spring	6
and two of the following:
LAW 302	Law of Business organizations	Autumn	6
LAW 317	e-Commerce Law	Spring	6
LAW 331	Intellectual Property Law	Autumn	6
LAW 348	Media Law	Spring	6
Strand 4: All of the following:
BUSS211	Requirements Determination and Systems Analysis	Autumn	6
BUSS212	Database Management Systems	Spring	6
BUSS311	Advanced Database Management Systems	Autumn	6
BUSS312	Business Data Communications	Autumn	6