Information Society

Code:

MCI0002

Acronym:

SI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Social Science

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
E-learning page:	http://moodle.fe.up.pt/
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Information Science

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCI	23	Plano de estudos oficial	1	-	6	60	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

Information Systems are having a fundamental impact on the ways in which information is gathered, processed, stored and disseminated in society. This course aims to look beyond the organisation, focusing on the impact and potential impact of these systems on society as a whole. Key issues discussed will include; technological trends and social change, new organisational forms and business models, ethics morality and information and policies developed by governments for the information society.

Outcomes:

On successfully completing the module, the student will be expected to be able to:
•Examine the concept of the information society through five distinct
lenses: spatial, technological, cultural, political and economic.
•Demonstrate a holistic understanding of the concept of the
‘information society’
•Discuss and debate the issues raised during the module.
•Critically evaluate the theoretical perspectives on the information society

Program

Introduction:
•The information society: history, evolution and perspectives

Spatial:
•Information society and globalisation
•Control of information: data protection and copyright

Technological:
•Technology and the information society
•Technology, information technology and the notion of determinism
(Open Learning Unit)

Cultural:
•The question of cultural imperialism and globalisation: info-rich
and info-poor
•Cultural identity and the future of the nation state

Political
•Politics and protest in the information society
•Conflict in the information society: infowar
•National and pan national information policies (Open Learning Unit)

Economic
•The ‘knowledge economy’ and the changing nature of work.

Conclusion
•Generating a holistic understanding: an analysis of networked learning.

Mandatory literature

Castells, Manuel; The information age. ISBN: 0-631-21594-8
Castells, Manuel 340; A sociedade em rede. ISBN: 972-27-1453-8
Webster, Frank; Theories of the information society. ISBN: 0-415-28201-2
Ana Azevedo; teste

Complementary Bibliography

Bauman, Zygmunt 1925-; Liquid modernity. ISBN: 978-0-7456-2410-5
Bauman, Zygmunt 1925-; Globalization. ISBN: 978-0-7456-2013-8
Bauman, Zygmunt 1925-; Work, consumerism and the new poor. ISBN: 0-335-21598-X
Giddens, Anthony; O mundo na era da globalização. ISBN: 972-23-2573-6
Kling, Rob 340; Computerization and controversy. ISBN: 0-12-415040-3
Poster, Mark; A segunda era dos média. ISBN: 972-774-065-0
Rheingold, Howard; A comunidade virtual. ISBN: 972-662-444-4
Roszak, Theodore; The cult of information. ISBN: 0-520-08584-1
A. Held; The Global Transformations, McGrew, 2007
Giddens, Anthony; As consequências da modernidade. ISBN: 972-774-07-0
Ulrich Beck; Risk society. ISBN: 978-0-8039-8346-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes, taught by Professor David Allen, presencial and by video conference. 3h per week.
Practical classes, 1 hour per week, taught by Drª Ana Azevedo.
Extra support provided by Drª Ana Azevedo.

keywords

Social sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Eligibility for exams

Participation in classes taught by Prof. David Allen – 100%

Participation in the group work done in the context of the Professor David Allen classes. All group work.

Presentation of an essay – individual work – related to the Information Society phenomena.

Calculation formula of final grade

Participation in classes taught by Prof. David Allen : 30%

Production of an essay : 50%

Submission of practical exercises proposed at the practical classes: 20%

Examinations or Special Assignments

Practical exercises proposed at the practical classes, associated with the process of production of an essay.

Group work done in the context of the Professor David Allen classes.

Presentation of an essay – individual work – related to the Information Society phenomena.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The participation in all theoretical classes taught by Professor David Allen is required.
The presentation of the essay is also compulsory.

Classification improvement

Improvement of the essay