Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LIA1325

 
TITLE Information Theories: Concepts, Frameworks and Philosophies

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Library Information and Archive Sciences

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit presents some of the theoretical foundations of Knowledge and Information Science. It introduces some of the major conceptual approaches, frameworks, and theories of Knowledge and Information Science in addition to their importance and implications for individuals, institutions, and information. This study-unit helps to establish a strong basis of understanding about this diverse discipline and practice upon which to build further knowledge, gain more detailed and nuanced perspectives, and inform and situate further research and work.

Study-unit Aims:

• Introduce major theoretical foundations, research directions, and case studies of Knowledge and Information Science;
• Help students understand important approaches, frameworks, and theories for Knowledge and Information Science as a discipline and practice;
• Provide a strong basis on which to build, expand, and enrich further scholarly and practical knowledge.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate a strong comprehension of the major theoretical foundations, research directions, and case studies of the KIM discipline and practice;
- Describe the conceptual approaches and frameworks within KIM and their associated and resulting implications, and uses for scholarship and professional work;
- Identify some major theoretical and practical trends, challenges, and opportunities in both academic and professional contexts.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate critical analytic skills in the assessment, evaluation, and development of arguments, concepts, and positions of both scholarly and practical dimensions;
- Apply knowledge to diverse scholarly and professional situations;
- Apply theoretical concepts to academic research and writing in addition to professional research and practical writing;
- Enhance advanced communication skills in writing;
- Critically identify, compare, assess, and evaluate key disciplinary and professional ideas, philosophies, paradigms, organizations, operations, and policies.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

- Bawden, David and Lyn Robinson (2012). Introduction to Information Science. London: Facet Publishing.
- Buckland, Michael. (2017). Information and Society. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
- Floridi, Luciano. (2010). Information: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Essay SEM1 Yes 50%
Essay SEM1 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Marc Kosciejew

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit