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Monash University

FIT1036 Enterprises and information - Semester 1, 2012

This unit examines the nature of the information needs of organisations, groups and individuals, and the ways in which IT-based systems support them. The main focus of the unit will be on organizational needs for IT-based systems and information management, but it will also consider the wider social context for issues relating to information and IT usage. The changing hopes and expectations of what IT and information can offer to assist the enterprise will be a particular focus of attention. This will provide the basis for consideration of the range of roles required of the IT professional in developing and implementing IT-based solutions to information problems.

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Day)

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk; 2 hrs tutorials/wk

Workload

Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week  on this unit throughout the semester.

This will include:
Lectures: 2 hours per week
Tutorials: 2 hours per week

and up to an additional 8 hours per week for reading resources and texts, completing tutorial exercise, working on assignments, private study and revision.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

FIT1003

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Caulfield

Martin Atchison

Consultation hours: Tuesday 2-4; Wednesday 10-12; Other days and times by appointment

Steve Wright

Consultation hours: Tuesday 2-3; Wednesday 11-12; Friday 1-2

Tutors

Caulfield

Martin Atchison

Consultation hours: Tuesday 2-4; Wednesday 10-12; Other days and times by appointment

Morgan Priestnall

Consultation hours: To be advised

Academic Overview

Outcomes

On the completion of this unit, students will:
  • know and understand basic concepts of information and information systems relating to their role and importance in organisations and society;
  • know and understand basic concepts of organisations and organisational processes in relation to their information needs and the application of IT-based systems to support them;
  • know and understand basic concepts of IT and IT-based applications as they are used in organisations and society;
  • know the key information technologies and information technology infrastructures employed by organisations;
  • understand the organisational and social issues arising from the use of IT in organisations, including privacy and civil liberties issues;
  • be able to recognise and analyse opportunities, risks and liabilities arising from the usage and application of IT in organisations;
  • be able to apply appropriate techniques and tools to the tasks of identifying, describing and analysing information management processes in organisations.

Graduate Attributes

Monash prepares its graduates to be:
  1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
    1. engage in an internationalised world
    2. exhibit cross-cultural competence
    3. demonstrate ethical values
  2. critical and creative scholars who:
    1. produce innovative solutions to problems
    2. apply research skills to a range of challenges
    3. communicate perceptively and effectively

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; in-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
A case study in organizational use of information and IT 15% Week 6 of semester
Tutorial participation exercises 10% Weeks 3 to 12 of semester
Major issues in IT usage 15% Week 11 of semester
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Feedback

Our feedback to You

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments
  • Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Your feedback to Us

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 SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. 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, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Required Resources

Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.

Required resources will be included with each topic in the Moodle page for the unit.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Basic concepts: Information: issues in its supply and management  
2 Basic concepts: Organizations and their information needs Assignment 1: Case Study in organizational use of information and IT - made available
3 Basic concepts: The nature of information; its implications for organizations Assignment 2: Tutorial participation exercises - commences
4 Basic concepts: IT and information - visions, capabilities and limitations  
5 Basic concepts: Developing and acquiring information and system solutions Assignment 3: Major issues in IT usage - made available
6 Information management as an organizational problem Assignment 1 due
7 An introduction to organizational information management practices  
8 Information technology - standards, specialisation and commodification  
9 Organizations and information - the problem of organizational change  
10 Dreams and realities in organizational information usage  
11 Issues in development and acquisition and the problem of failure Assignment 3 due
12 Current issues and future concerns; unit review Assignment 2 complete
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken 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 MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    A case study in organizational use of information and IT
    Description:
    Students will investigate and report on the nature of a case study organization's needs for information, and critically evaluate the scope for the use of IT to help satisfy them. 
    Weighting:
    15%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the key basic concepts relating to:

    • organizational needs for information
    • the nature of data and information
    • the uses of computer-based technology to meet data/information needs

    Demonstrated ability to apply the academic theory in these areas to its practice in an organizational setting

    Demonstrated ability to carry out an investigation and report on its findings in written and verbal form

    Due date:
    Week 6 of semester
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Tutorial participation exercises
    Description:
    Tutorial participation exercises will be based around the weekly tutorial activities.
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:
    Criteria for assessment will depend on the nature of the work being carried during the tutorial. In general, students will be expected to prepare adequately for the tutorial by reading the material provided in advance, and participating actively in the discussions and other tasks which they are asked to perform. Detailed criteria will be provided to students as appropriate before the tutorial work is done.
    Due date:
    Weeks 3 to 12 of semester
  • Assessment task 3
    Title:
    Major issues in IT usage
    Description:
    Students will be required to conduct research into and report on a significant contemporary issue relating to the application of IT to entrerprise information needs. Issues will be selected from a list provided by the unit leader.
    Weighting:
    15%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Demonstrated level of knowledge and understanding of the key issues involved in the topic

    Demonstrated level of knowledge and understanding of the impact of these issues on organizations in practice

    Quality of research and clarity of expression of ideas  

    Due date:
    Week 11 of semester

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60%
    Length:
    3 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-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 online quiz).

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the VLE site for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Other Information

Policies

Student services

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 www.monash.edu.au/students. For Sunway 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 and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Sunway, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.

Academic support services may be available for students who have a disability or medical condition. Registration with the Disability Liaison Unit is required. Further information is available as follows:

  • Website: http://monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html;
  • Email: dlu@monash.edu
  • Drop In: Equity and Diversity Centre, Level 1 Gallery Building (Building 55), Monash University, Clayton Campus, or Student Community Services Department, Level 2, Building 2, Monash University, Sunway Campus
  • Telephone: 03 9905 5704, or contact the Student Advisor, Student Commuity Services at 03 55146018 at Sunway
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