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INFORMATION SCIENCE

Major combinations:
NQF Level 5: INS1501, INS1502
NQF Level 6: INS2601, INS2602, INS2603
NQF Level 7: INS2701, INS3703, INS3705, INS3702, INS3707

Introduction to Information Science - INS1501
Under Graduate Degree,Diploma Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To gain insight into the theoretical framework of Information Science; know the core concepts of the information phenomenon; explain the information infrastructure and assess the importance of information policies and literacy in a developing country; and to connect these matters to the information society and social responsibility.
Advanced Aspects of user Studies and Collection Development - HAI4803
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with: (a) The theoretical knowledge and different viewpoints regarding user needs and behaviour in service rendering, amongst others in collection building and other user services; (b) the competence to apply this theoretical knowledge on particular user groups or a particular user by means of their own empirical research.
Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning - INS1502
Under Graduate Degree,Diploma,Higher Certificate Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To be able to plan for information tasks and effectively locate, evaluate and organise information needed for expository writing, and to apply this knowledge and skills in completing information tasks such as academic essays and assignments.
Research Report in Information Science - HRARM82
Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 36
Module presented in Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with the necessary skills, competencies and values to analyse key issues regarding the conduct of research and professional presentation of research findings in a variety of contexts; interpret, evaluate, judge and apply principles and techniques of the scientific methods of inquiry and presentation of data and engage independently in the research process and present the findings in an academic research report the ability to think critically and holistically when dealing real-life challenges when conducting research and presenting research reports within the field of archival and records management.
Exploring Information user Studies - INS2601
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Pre-requisite: INS1501
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to help students acquire conceptual knowledge of information users, information needs and information user behaviour. The module is meant to orient students to the overall field of information user studies; the subject discipline that focuses on studying readers and users of information in occupational and social contexts. Students who achieve this Unit Standard have conceptual knowledge of information users, information needs, and information use behaviour.
Information Users and Use - INS4801
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: This module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor's degree in any other field other than information science and who wish to develop their career in LIS. The core business of LIS is to meet the information needs of the community. The purpose of this module is to equip students with knowledge and skills to determine user needs and information behavior in order to develop relevant services for different communities.
Investigating Information Ethics in the Information Era - INS2602
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: This module forms part of the Bachelor of Information Science degree. Students who successfully complete the module will be able to provide an informed appreciation of the nature, major theories, principles and issues involved in information ethics. To ensure that students can demonstrate the ability to and value the concerns of information ethics in the electronic environment and the public domain of the online environment. Students will apply the South African legislation related to information ethics and be able to demonstrate the principles of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Code of Ethics for librarians, information, and knowledge professionals
Management of Knowledge and Information Services - INS4802
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: This module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor's degree in any other field other than information science and who wish to develop their career in LIS. Provision of information and knowledge services forms an integral part of LIS environment. The purpose of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide and manage knowledge and information services in the LIS environment to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
Introducing Information Management - INS2603
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to the field of Information Management. Students who qualify in this module will demonstrate an understanding of the theories, principles, processes, methodologies and techniques involved in the management of information resources in an open system. The module provides students with an understanding of the interrelationships between information, knowledge and records management and the value of these practices as key factors in the organisational processes of decision-making and problem-solving at the individual, operational, tactical and strategic level.
Information and Communication Technology for Information Science - INS2701
Under Graduate Degree,Diploma Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Pre-requisite: INS1501 & INS1502 Co-requisite: EUP1501
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop skills and competencies related to the appropriate knowledge in the field of information and communication technologies in different contexts in the library and information sector. Students who qualify in this module will be able to interpret, evaluate and apply the latest trends of information and communication technologies in the information society. The module also explores the influence of information and communication technologies on society as a whole.
The Political Economy of Information - INS3702
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of the module is to develop a critical appreciation of the politics and economics of information in the context of the knowledge economy. Additionally, students should be able to illustrate the impact of global and national information infrastructures on the flow of information; participate in information policy debates; manage and use intellectual property; and map the information industries.
Using Information: The role of Information Behaviour - INS3703
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to examine the information behaviour of different categories of information users and to evaluate theories and models of information behaviour. Students should also be able to understand and evaluate different theories and models of Information behaviour. This module provides students with the ability to solve information related problems by applying evidence-based solutions and theory driven arguments to information user behaviour.
Information and Knowledge Management - INS3705
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: This module will be useful to students who want to develop skills and competencies in information and knowledge management. These competencies include the usage of concepts of information and knowledge management in context, applying principles of information and knowledge management, play an active role in information and knowledge management in a globalised and knowledge economy, and create output using knowledge management tools. Students credited with this standard unit will be able to manage knowledge and information in their workplaces by applying different knowledge and information management techniques and tools. Credited students are capable of; o Applying the principles of information and knowledge management o Creating information and knowledge e-platform and portals using various types of information and communication technology tools o Using information and knowledge management practices in a variety of contexts Applying various information and knowledge audit approaches and methods to conduct audits of information and knowledge in organisations.
Information Organisation and Retrieval - INS3707
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of the module is to develop students' knowledge and skills to retrieve, evaluate, organise and use information that is relevant to their personal information needs from an online information system such as the Internet. Qualifying students will be able to execute information searches using organisation and retrieval skills they have learnt to meet their information needs and those of the users.
Research Methodology in Information Science - HIN4801
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the key issues regarding the conduct of research and professional presentation of research findings in a variety of contexts; (b) the capacity to interpret, evaluate, judge and apply the concepts, principles and techniques of the scientific methods of inquiry, interpretation, analysis and presentation of data; (c) the ability to engage independently in the research process and present the findings in an academic research report; (d) the ability to think critically and holistically when dealing real-life challenges when conducting research and presenting research reports.
Social Impact of Information and Communication Technology - HIN4802
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the concepts related to the application of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a variety of environments (e.g. workplace, home, school, etc) and sectors (e.g. education, health, government, trade, banking, delivery of social services, research, etc); (b) the ability to appropriately apply different types of ICTs within the environments and sectors mentioned in (a) above; and (c) the capacity to adapt to the technological changes brought about by the ever changing ICT environment.
Theory of Information Science - HIN4803
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the various concepts and theoretical assumptions and paradigms in the discipline of information science that will enable them to analyse, interpret, and evaluate it critically; (b) the ability to substantiate their viewpoints regarding the theory of information science; and (c) the capacity to apply their theoretical knowledge critically within the context of the information profession.
Research Report in Information Science - HRINS81
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 36
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: A research report on a topic selected by the student in cooperation with the lecturer. The purpose of this module is to equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the key issues regarding the conduct of research and professional presentation of research findings in a variety of contexts; (b) the capacity to interpret, evaluate, judge and apply principles and techniques of the scientific methods of inquiry and presentation of data; (c) the ability to engage independently in the research process and present the findings in an academic research report; (d) the ability to think critically and holistically when dealing real-life challenges when conducting research and presenting research reports.
Advanced Information and Knowledge Management - HAI4801
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the key issues in information and knowledge management in a variety of contexts; (b) the capacity to interpret, evaluate, judge and apply the concepts, principles and techniques of knowledge and information management; (c) the ability to create an environment for safely discovering and using information and knowledge for competitive advantage; (d) the ability to think critically and epistemologically when dealing real-life challenges in the information society and the new knowledge economy.
Information Technology for the Organisation and Retrieval - HAI4802
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The aim of this module is to provide students with integrated and well-rounded knowledge, competencies, and critical thinking skills which are relevant in information organisation and retrieval. On completion of this module, students should be competent to apply their own viewpoints on information organisation and retrieval systems in diverse contexts, including the African context. Students are expected to keep abreast with emerging technologies and applications in information organisation and retrieval areas.