This unit introduces students to a critical understanding of the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) within contemporary social relations. In particular, the unit explores the ways in which the diffusion of ICT has reshaped thinking and practice within the workplace, communities, and society more broadly. Particular emphasis is placed upon the relationship between human activity and technology, the various ways in which the latter might replace or augment the former, and the consequences that might follow from such changes.
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:
(b.) Additional requirements (all students):
See also Unit timetable information
For FIT3098, weekly workload commitments are:
You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Note about the 3-hour studio: This is a combination of a 1-hour lecture and 2-hour tutorial.
FIT5090, IMS3010, IMS3810, IMS5023
Completion of 36 points of study
Steve Wright
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Student feedback from last year requested that the tutorial time be increased from one to two hours. As a consequence, there is now a two hour tutorial component within the weekly three hour seminar.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Students will need to familiarise themselves with the information contained in this unit guide as well as materials on the unit website (eg lecture notes and tutorial activities) | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 |
| 1 | Introduction to social informatics | |
| 2 | What is technology? | |
| 3 | Does technology make a difference to how we do things? | Studio participation exercises due weekly (Weeks 3 to 12). Assignment 1 due between Weeks 3 to 11 |
| 4 | Does technology drive changes in social structures? | |
| 5 | ICT and the social sphere | |
| 6 | ICT in organisations | |
| 7 | Has the Web changed society? | |
| 8 | Peer-to-peer | |
| 9 | Open source | |
| 10 | Are IT workers knowledge workers? Are knowledge workers IT workers? | |
| 11 | Big data | |
| 12 | What futures does ICT promise? | Assignment 2 due |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.
Examination (3 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Studio participation exercises | 10% | Weekly (Weeks 3 to 12) |
| Assignment 1 - Class paper | 20% | Between Weeks 3 to 11 |
| Assignment 2 - Research essay | 20% | Week 12 |
| Examination 1 | 50% | To be advised |
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see resources and tutorials at http://www.monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/academic-integrity/
Criteria for assessment will depend on the nature of the work being carried out during the studio. In general, students will be expected both to prepare adequately for the studio by reading the material provided in advance, and to participate actively in the discussions and other tasks that they are asked to perform.
Detailed criteria will be provided to students as appropriate before the studio work is undertaken.
The criteria used to assess submissions are:
Specific tasks and marking criteria will be distributed at the appropriate time during the semester.
The criteria used to assess submissions are:
Specific tasks and marking criteria will be distributed at the appropriate time during the semester.
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html
See http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/tutorials/citing/infotech.html
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an electronic submission). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.
Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.
There is no textbook for this unit. Readings required for Assignment 2 will be accessible through the unit reading list.
There is no specific software requirement beyond access to word processing and web browsing facilities.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at http://www.monash.edu.au/students. For Malaysia see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/.
The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Malaysia, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.