BEX2421 · Harnessing big data for business and society

Overview

Business and society are being fundamentally reshaped by major technological transitions. Key among these is the near-ubiquitous rise of digital business and state administrative operational processes which are producing more, and richer, data at an unprecedented rate. In this integrating unit, you will apply critical, creative, ethical, and analytical thinking to discover how ‘big data’ can be harnessed for the good of business and society at large. You will be challenged to examine the opportunities and risks that big data offers across a broad range of areas including finance, economics, business, education, health, justice and the environment.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. articulate key features of ‘big data’ versus traditional data, together with the opportunities and challenges that big data present to business and society
2. critically compare the strengths and weaknesses of various analytical approaches to big data sets, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and natural language processing in the context of business and social science problems
3. understand and apply critical frameworks to ethical issues integral to big data and AI, with regard to rights, regulation and responsibilities
4. demonstrate a strong understanding of topical case studies in the application of big data to enhance business activity and solve social problems.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.