Course Number: INF 8000

Credits: 3

MLIS Prerequisite(s): INF 6080 (or equivalent)

MSIM Co-requisite(s): INF 6000

Rationale for Inclusion in Curriculum:

This course examines information policy, privacy, and ethical issues confronting information professionals. As technologies generate and collect vast amounts of data, we explore the effect of information policies on the economic, social, ethical, and technical decisions made by individuals, organizations, and governments. We further investigate questions about the benefits and risks of technologies in relation to individual privacy and national security. Through lectures, readings, and discussion of real word scenarios, this course explores contemporary challenges and ethical issues around surveillance technologies, cybercrimes, and personal privacy protections in an increasingly networked world. Information policy decisions are being made today that will influence our individual futures as citizens and workers, the development of our society, and our relationships within the international community.  The potential consequences of these information policies need to be carefully considered.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Differentiate among various definitions of information policy and examine the potential implications for library and information science.
2. Apply an information policy model to assess how various policies affect individual decision making.
3. Develop strategies for identifying the impact of information policies in professional and ethical decision making.
4. Select and analyze the effects of an existing governmental information policy.
5. Critically evaluate the implications of information policies at the local, professional and government levels.

Content:

• Defining information policy
• Information policies in organizations and professional contexts
• Legal implications of information policies
• Surveillance and society
• Privacy and the law
• Personal privacy protections
• Data protection and ethical issues
• National security
• Misinformation and regulations
   

Course Methodology:

Readings, lectures, active group participation, problem-based learning interactions, formative and summative activities and assignments

Basis for Evaluation of Student Performance:

1. Evaluations of written assignments

• For example, preparing a policy analysis, comparison, and recommendations.

2. Knowledge of vocabulary and concepts
   • Evaluating the implications of privacy laws, ethical issues of data collection, and personal information privacy protections.
3. Group and individual participation in examining case studies.
   • Topics to be investigated may include algorithms and bias, facial recognition, and privacy violations.

Text: To be determined

Updated: 04/24