Module Information

Module Identifier
DS36020
Module Title
Information and Society
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 2 Hours   Examination  50%
Semester Assessment 3,000 - 3,500 word essay  50%

Learning Outcomes

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

* consider the implications of the expanding `information society'

* give an account of the development of the main types of libraries/information services in the UK

* discuss libraries in a socio-economic and political context

* recognise the significance of information in an international context

  • distinguish the related issues of intellectual freedom and freedom of
  • information

  • discuss the ethical, legal, and social factors affecting the flow of
  • information

  • discuss the nature of information flow between a government and its
  • citizens

* identify areas of `information deprivation?

Brief description

Constantly we are being told that ours is an `information age? and that we are living in an `information society?, but what exactly do these terms mean? How has 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 aim of this module is to discuss these issues and many others; issues which are relevant to us all, not just as members of the information profession, but also as private citizens.


Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6