Impact of Digitisation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

200 hours

Students who are enrolled in the two year 200 point Master of Information Systems must have completed 50 points of study to enrol in this subject.

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Aims

In this subject students examine the implications of the digitisation of data, information, and communications on organisations and society. Students will investigate how digitisation affects individuals, organisations, and society with associated security, compliance, legal and regulatory considerations. These implications are also examined in regard to ethical questions around information privacy, accessibility, ownership, and accuracy.

Indicative Content

Topics covered may include the impact of new and emerging information products and services on social networks, on privacy, censorship and content control, information security, intellectual property, citizenship, and other aspects of organisational and daily life.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Having completed this unit the student is expected to: Describe the influence of increasing digitisation on organisations and society
2. Explain how digitisation of information and the proliferation of global wired and wireless networks are enabling new relationships between organisations, posing new threats and challenges, and creating new ways of working
3. Explain the implications of emerging ethical and regulatory concerns about information privacy, accuracy, property, and accessibility

• A 2500 word seminar paper by a group of 3 students (15%) supported by a 25-minute presentation (15%), requiring approximately 40-45 hours of work per student.
• A 1000 word individual essay due in the middle of semester (20%), requiring approximately 25-30 hours of work per student.
• A 2000 word individual essay due in the exam period (40%), requiring approximately 55-60 hours of work per student.
• Participation in seminar activities and contributions to online discussion throughout the semester (10%), requiring approximately 13-15 hours of work per student.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in all assessment components.

There are no prescribed texts for this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• An ability to analyse complex issues and communicate them both orally and in writing.
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning.
• Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a project team.

Learning and Teaching Methods

The subject is delivered in a 3 hour classes with each class containing a lecture, seminar discussion and student presentations.

Indicative Key Learning Resources

Students will have access to lecture notes and lecture slides. The subject LMS site also contains links to recommended literature and other resources.

Careers/Industry Links

The IT industry is a large and steadily growing industry. Critical understanding of the implication of digitisation for individuals, organisations and society is crucial for responsible professional practice in the IT industry.