FIT5205 · Data in society

Overview

In the digital age, how we communicate, conduct business and socialize is revolutionizing our world. The explosion of data-driven and artificial intelligence technologies are transforming the way we live and work, altering relationships between government and citizens, businesses and consumers, researchers and the researched, public and private sectors, and individuals, communities and societies. While data driven and algorithmic technologies can potentially help grow the economy, improve health and education, support national security, protect the environment, enable more energy efficiency, drive innovation and progress, and support more resilient, sustainable communities and cultures, there is a growing need to identify and address the risks associated with their design, development and use. In this unit the problems associated with the application of these information technologies in government and big business that leads to greater surveillance of citizens by states and consumers by businesses, disempowerment of individuals and vulnerable communities, increased discrimination, threats to social inclusion, social justice, human and civil rights, self-determination and privacy, and widens the divide between the data haves and have-nots will be explored, alongside the emerging ethical, legislative and strategic frameworks that aim to address these concerns.

Areas of study: Archives and recordkeeping Data science Library and information science

Offerings

Assessment

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Describe and analyse digital media/data ecosystems;
2. Analyse issues relating to the benefits and risks of big data in society;
3. Explain key ethical design principles and their relevance to the design and development of data-driven and algorithmic technologies;
4. Investigate how rights in data, rights to self determination, privacy rights, access rights, discovery rights, IP and copyright apply in different contexts/scenarios;
5. Develop recommendations for socio-legal and policy frameworks and strategies for transparency, good governance, accountability and ethical practice in data management and use, including data rights management;
6. Analyse needs and issues relating to the use big data to support resilient, sustainable communities and cultures.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled teaching activities.

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