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Monash University

FIT1036 Enterprises and information - Semester 1, 2013

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 requirements

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

Michael Vitale

Consultation hours: Building H room 7.45 Monday 12:30 - 1:30; Thursday 11:00 - 1:00; Other days and times by appointment michael.vitale@monash.edu 9903 1082

Tutors

Caulfield

Michael Vitale

Consultation hours: Monday 12:30 - 1:30; Thursday 11:00 - 1:00; Other days and times by appointment

Academic Overview

Learning 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.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Basic concepts: Issues in the supply, demand, and management of information None -- note no tutorials in Week 1
2 Basic concepts: Organisations and their information needs Assignment 2: Tutorial participation exercises - commences
3 Basic concepts: The nature of information and implications for organisations  
4 Basic concepts: IT and information - visions, capabilities and limitations Assignment 1: Case Study in organisational use of information and IT - made available
5 Basic concepts: Developing and acquiring information and information systems  
6 Information management as an organisational problem Assignment 3: Major issues in IT usage - made available
7 An introduction to organisational information management practices Assignment 1 due; This week's lecture has been rescheduled to Wednesday 12:00 - 2:00 due to the ANZAC Day holiday
8 Information technology - standards, specialisation and commodification  
9 Organisations and information - the problem of organisational change  
10 Dreams, realities, and nightmares in organisational information usage  
11 Issues in system development and acquisition and the problem of failure Assignment 2 complete; Assignment 3 due
12 Current issues and future concerns; unit review  
  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.

Assessment Summary

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

Assessment Task Value Due Date
A case study in organisational use of information and IT 15% Week 7 of semester
Tutorial participation exercises 10% Weeks 2 to 11 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.

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)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    A case study in organisational use of information and IT
    Description:
    Students will investigate and report on the nature of a case study organisation'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:

    • organisational 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 organisational setting

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

    Due date:
    Week 7 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 2 to 11 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):
    Open book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None

Learning resources

Monash Library Unit Reading List
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

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

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Resubmission of assignments

Students may not resubmit assignments.

Referencing requirements

Follow the Monash Library Guides for Citing and Referencing at http://guides.lib.monash.edu/content.php?pid=88267&sid=656564

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 learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Required Resources

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.

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

Field trips

The unit will include field trips for the purpose of learning about how information is supplied and managed in the real world.  The distances travelled will be very short and the trips can readily be managed on public transportation.

Additional subject costs

There will be no significant additional costs.

Examination material or equipment

The examination will be open-book, and students will be allowed to bring books, class notes, and readings into the examination.  However, the use of electronic devices will not be permitted.

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Based on previous student feedback this unit is well structured and no changes have been made for this semester.

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

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