50172 Information, Society and Policy

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Information and Knowledge Management
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

This subject examines the history and current development of national, regional and global information and communication policies. A range of government and industry policies are covered including policies related to specific areas such as information and communications technology, media and cultural industries as well as policies related to specific issues such as intellectual property, protection of privacy, access to information and ownership of information. Students undertake comparative analyses of a range of policies using the theoretical frameworks of policy analysis and evaluate the impact of policies in different social, economic and industrial contexts and on information work in organisations. Students have the opportunity to further develop skills in critical analysis, research and academic writing through preparation of a journal article and participation in a publication syndicate.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:

understand the concept of information and communication policy as an instrument of public and industry policy at the national, regional and global level;
identify and describe the people, institutions and processes involved in information policy formulation;
analyse public and industry information and communication policies using a range of theoretical frameworks from the field of policy analysis;
evaluate their impact in different social, economic and industrial contexts and on information work in organisations;
identify and describe current national, regional and global trends and issues relating to information and communication policy in Australia and other countries;
research and write critical analyses on information and communication policy trends and issues.

Contribution to graduate profile

In this subject, students will further develop their theoretical knowledge of information studies and further understand the globalised and networked context of information work. They will gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary issues and trends in the field and their impact on professional practice. Through their research and writing on policy matters they will be able to demonstrate their commitment to justice and equity in information provision in society as well as their critical and reflective capabilities.

Teaching and learning strategies

There will be a variety of learning activities during the semester including lectures and tutorials, seminars, small group work and independent work. Teaching and learning in this subject will be presented as an interactive opportunity and students will be expected to be prepared, through reading and other work outside class, to participate in class discussion and activities. There will be both group and independent work, written and oral presentations. Students will have the opportunity to explore areas of policy of individual interest as well as working with a peer group on broader topics. They will be expected to read widely and contribute their own experiences and understanding to the subject. UTS Online will be used for some activities.

Content

1. Information and communications policy as public policy: definitions and scope of information and communications policy; relationship to other policy areas; historical developments; policy processes; models of policy formulation; frameworks for policy analysis.

2. Information and communications policy in the information/knowledge society/economy: conceptualisations of the information/knowledge society and information/knowledge economy; views on key concepts of information, knowledge and information flow; goals of information policy; key players and institutions in policy formulation; broad trends at the national, regional and global levels.

3. Information and communications policies: analysis of range of current policies identifying historical aspects, objectives, characteristics, values and assumptions, agenda setting; key players and organisations in government, industry, professions and community.

4. Current issues in information and communications policy development: for both the print and digital environments including intellectual property, protection of privacy, confidentiality, content control, freedom of information, censorship, ownership of information and so on.

Assessment

There are two assessable components for this subject. There are several stages for each assignment and all must be completed. Detailed guidelines on assignment requirements are attached and further briefings will be given in class.

Assessment item 1: Policy seminar and resource file - Group Work

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	40%
Due	Seminar plan: one week before presentation Seminar presentation: as allocated through Weeks 7,8,10,11 Resource file: due at time of seminar presentation
Task	In small groups (max. 3 students), you will research and analyse current policies related to a specific area of information and communications infrastructure in Australia and another country or region and lead a seminar on the topic. Your group will also submit a resource file of material relevant to the topic.
Length	Seminar presentation: 45 minutes (approx.) including discussion time
Further Information	A single grade will be awarded to the group. All parts of the assignment as detailed below must be completed for a grade to be awarded. Seminar groups and broad topic areas will be organised in class in Week 3. Once allocated seminar times and topics cannot be changed except in extenuating circumstances. Seminar Plan One week before the presentation, your group will submit a plan for the seminar outlining the topic and scope, key policies and issues to be discussed and a list of the reading and other resources that were used to develop the plan. Feedback on your seminar plan will be provided but it will not be assessed separately. Submission of a plan is a requirement of this assignment. Seminar Content Content of presentations will vary according to the specific topic but is expected to include the following: (a) a brief description of the policy/policies covering aspects such as historical developments, goals and objectives, plan for implementation and monitoring, key players and institutions involved in developing the policy and national, regional and global influences; (b) an analysis of the policy/policies using a conceptual framework for policy analysis from the literature in which you have identified the policy approach and points for comparison and contrast between Australia and the country or region selected; (c) a discussion of current issues (social, political, legal, economic) relevant to the policy area and the future development of the policy/policies in Australia, the selected country or region and globally Seminar Presentation In class in the nominated week, your group will lead the discussion on the topic for approximately 45 minutes. This will involve: (a) advising the class one week before of any reading to be undertaken in preparation (b) introducing the topic and its parameters (c) preparing discussion questions and/or small group activities (d) summing up the class discussion Presentations which involve group members reading prepared papers will not be acceptable. Your seminar must involve the whole class in the discussion of key aspects of the topic. All members of the group must be involved in the presentation. If you wish to use Powerpoint, it is the responsibility of group members to ensure they are familiar with the operation of the equipment. Resource File The contents of your resource file should include: your presentation plan discussion questions and class activities copies of any slides used a timeline of key historical developments a list of relevant policy documents and legislation an annotated list of key readings an annotated list of useful websites and journals for monitoring developments a bibliography of your reading on the topic
Assessment criteria	Level of understanding of public and industry policy Ability to analyse policy using an appropriate framework Clarity and cohesion of ideas Ability to stimulate discussion and participation Evidence of wide and relevant research Comprehensiveness of resource file

Assessment item 2: Journal Article - Individual Work

Objectives	a, c, d, e
Value	60%
Due	Proposal: In class Wednesday 3rd September, Week 6 Draft article: posted online no later than Wednesday, 15th October, Week 11 Abstract: posted online no later than Wednesday 29th October, Week 13 Presented in class Week 14 Final article: submitted in class 5th November (Week 14) and lodged by electronic submission in Turnitin by 5pm, 6th November
Task	You will research and write an article for a scholarly journal on an aspect of information and communications policy chosen in consultation with your tutor. As part of your work for this assignment, you are required to participate in a Publications Syndicate (see below); syndicates will be formed in class in Week 5.
Length	Proposal: 800 words (approx.) Abstract: 400-500 words Article: 3000 – 4000 words
Further Information	Assignment Requirements There are a number of stages and each must be completed at a satisfactory level for a grade to be given for the assignment. Stage 1: Proposal: approx. 800 words outlining your topic and scope plus statement on choice of journal. Due Week 6. A template will be provided. In your proposal (approx. 800 words) you will: define your topic and scope state purpose of the article indicate how you plan to deal with the topic in your article refer to key literature which has informed your thinking indicate research strategies With your proposal you should provide a short statement on your choice of journal and attach the guidelines to contributors or a link to the guidelines online. You may submit your proposal at any time but no later than the due date indicated above. You will be advised if your proposal requires refining or developing further and allowed to resubmit. Any substantial changes after your proposal has been approved should be negotiated with your tutor. Stage 2: Draft article: submitted online by Week 11 for review by your publications syndicate. As part of your work for this assignment, you are required to submit a draft of your article for peer review by a Publications Syndicate; syndicates will be moderated by your tutor. Full instructions will be provided in class in Week 5 when syndicates are formed. Please note that participation in a syndicate is a requirement for satisfactory completion of this subject. A record of your participation will be kept by your tutor. Stage 3: Presentation of abstract in class Week 14 In class in Week 14, you will be required to present your abstract to other students as part of the class conference. Your abstract must be posted on UTS Online in Week 13. A further briefing on this will be provided in class. Stage 4: Final article: Due in class Wednesday 5th November, Week 14 Lodged by electronic Submission in Turnitin by 5pm, 6th November. Content will vary according to the topic but you should: explore relevant concepts describe the range of views and make your own views clear provide evidence for your arguments critically analyse issues arising from the topic discuss future policy implications Your article should be written in a style appropriate to the journal and its intended audience. It should be: comprehensive in its treatment of the topic up to date and accurate carefully edited reflect wide reading
Assessment criteria	Satisfactory completion of all stages of preparation Satisfactory level of participation in publication syndicate Clarity of structure and writing Level of analysis of concepts and issues Level of understanding of policy implications Evidence of wide and critical reading Appropriate and consistent referencing

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Other resources

SELECTED BACKGROUND READING

Public Policy and Policy Analysis

Adams, D. 2004, 'Usable knowledge in public policy', Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol.63, no.1,pp.29-42

Burton, P. 2006, 'Modernising the policy process: making policy research more significant?, Policy Studies, vol.27, no.3, pp.173-195

Colebatch, H.K.(ed.) 2006, Beyond the policy cycle: the policy process in Australia, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest

Colebatch, H.K. 2002, Policy, 2nd Edition, Open University Press, Buckingham

Colebatch, H.K. 2006, 'What work makes policy?, Policy Sciences, vol.39, no.4, pp.309-321

Curtain, R. 2000, 'Good public policy making: how Australia fares, Australian Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform,vol.8, no. 1, pp.33-46

Davis, G. & Bridgman, P. 2003, Australian policy handbook, 3rd Edition, Allen & Unwin, St. Leonards

Edwards, M. 2000 Social policy, public policy: from problems to practice, Allen & Unwin, St.Leonards

Everett, S. 2003, 'The policy cycle: democratic process or rational paradigm revisited?', Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol.62, no.2,pp. 65-70

Hogwood, B. & Gunn, L. 1986, Policy analysis for the real world, Oxford University Press, Oxford

Howlett, M. & Ramesh, M. 2003, Studying public policy: policy cycles and policy subsystems, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, Ontario

Matheson, C. 2000, 'Policy formulation in Australian government: vertical and horizontal axes, Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol.59, no.2, pp.44-55

Parsons, W. 1995, Public policy: an introduction to the theory and practice of policy analysis, Edward Elgar, Aldershot

Prasser, S. 2006, 'Aligning 'good policy' with 'good politics', in, Colebatch, H.K.(ed.) 2006, Beyond the policy cycle: the policy process in Australia, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest

Shaxson, L. 2005, 'Is your evidence robust enough? Questions for policy makers and practitioners', Evidence and Policy, vol.1, no.1,pp.101-11

Stewart, R. 1999, Public policy: strategy and accountability, Macmillan Australia, South Yarra

Information and Communications Policy

(a) Defining the field and approaches to analysis

Braman, S. 2004, 'Where has media policy gone? Defining the field in the twenty-first century', Communication Law and Policy, vol.9, no.2,pp.153-182

Browne, M. 1997, 'The field of information policy: 1- fundamental concepts', Journal of Information Science, vol.23, no.44, pp. 261-275

Browne, M. 1997, 'The field of information policy: 2 - redefining the boundaries and methodologies', Journal of Information Science, vol.23, no.5,pp.339- 351

Doty, P. 1998, 'Why study information policy?', Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, vol.39, no.1, pp. 58-64

Duff, A.S. 2004, 'The past, present, and the future of information policy: towards a normative theory of the information society', Information, Communication and Society, vol.7, no.1,pp.69-87

Maxwell, T.A. 2003, 'Toward a model of information policy analysis: speech as an illustrative example', firstmonday, vol.8, no.6, viewed 17 June, 2003, <http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue8_6/maxwell/index.html>

Rowlands, I., Eisenschitz, T., Bawden, D. 2002, 'Frame analysis as a tool for understanding information policy', Journal of Information Science, vol.28, no.1, pp.31-38

Rowlands, I., 2003, 'Information policy: complexity, scope and normative structure', in, Hornby, S & Clarke, Z. (eds.), Challenge and change in the information society, Facet Publishing, London, pp.131-146

(b) History and issues in development

Borgman, C.L. 2000, 'The premise and promise of a global information infrastructure', first monday, vol.5, no.8, viewed 22 July, 2002, <http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue5_8/borgman/index.html>

Brennan, L.L. & Johnson, V.E. 2004, Social, ethical and policy implications of information technology, Information Science Publishing, Hershey PA and London

Castells, M. 2005, 'Global governance and global politics', PS, Political Science and Politics, vol.38, no.1, pp.9-16

Dhillon, G. 2002, Social responsibility in the information age: issues and controversies, Idea Group Publishing, Hershey, PA and London

Drahos, P. 1995, 'Information feudalism in the information society', The Information Society, vol.11, no.3, pp.209-222

Galperin, H. 2004, 'Beyond interests, ideas, and technology: an institutional approach to communication and information policy', The Information Society, vol.20, no.3, pp.159-168

Giacomello, G. 2005, National governments and control of the Internet: a digital challenge, Routledge, New York and London

Lievrouw, L. & Farb, S. 2003, 'Information and equity', in, Cronin, B. (ed.), Annual Review of Information Science and Technology, vol.37, pp.499 - 540

Norris, P. 'The digital divide', in, Webster, F. (ed.), The information society reader, Routledge, London and New York, pp.273-286

Pickard, V. 2007, 'Neoliberal visions and revisions in global communications policy from NWICO to WSIS, Journal of Communication Inquiry, vol.31, no.2, pp.118-139

Pyati, A.K. 2005, 'WSIS: whose vision of an information society', firstmonday, vol.10, no.5, viewed 9 May, 2005,< http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue10_5/pyati/index.html>

Robins, K. & Webster, F. 2004, 'The long history of the information revolution', in, Webster, F. (ed.), The information society reader, Routledge, London and New York, pp. 62-80

Servaes, J. (ed.) 2003, The European Information Society: a reality check, Intellect, Bristol, UK

Servon, L.J. 2002, Bridging the digital divide: technology, community and public policy, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK

Warschauer, M. 2003, Technology and social inclusion, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Webster, F. 2002, Theories of the information society, 2nd Edition, Routledge, London

Wyckoff, A.W. 2003, 'OECD efforts to address the measurement and policy challenges posed by the information society', International Statistical Review, vol.71, no.1, pp.17-31

(c) Information and Communications Policy - Australia

Barr, T.2000, newmedia.com.au: the changing face of Australia's media and communications. St. Leonards, Allen & Unwin

Craik, J. 2005, 'Dilemmas in policy support for the Arts and Cultural sector', Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol. 64, no. 4, pp.6-19

Cunningham, S. & Turner, G. (ed.) 2006, The media and communications in Australia, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest

Northfield, D. 1999, The information policy maze: global challenges - national responses. Melbourne, RMIT University Press

Pearce, M. 2000, 'Perspectives of Australian broadcasting policy', Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, vol. 14, no.3, pp.367-382