BIM 101: INFORMATION IN SOCIETY (4 credits)

COURSE OUTLINE
Aims of the Course
The course aims to provide students with the theoretical understanding of the nature and
role of information in the society.

Objectives of the Course

On completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. identify and understand the properties of information and knowledge;
2. understand the term “Information Age” and the current trends of socio-economic
development in the world;
3. realize the digital divide effects in the society;
4. assess the use of ICT for national development; and
5. market and promote information services and estimate its impact on society.

Course Content
1. The nature of Information and Knowledge
► Concepts of information and knowledge
► Personal knowledge and social knowledge
► Differences underlying information and knowledge
► Categories of Information
► Role of information in the society

2. The Electronic Revolution

► Concept of “Information Age”
► Electronic and scholarly information
► Advantages and disadvantages of using electronic resources

3. Building an Information Society

►Information as a resource in the society
►Intellectual property
► Information policy
► Visions of Information society
► Government plans and initiatives in building information society in Tanzania

4. Digital divide between Developed and Developing Countries and between

Urban and Rural areas in Developing Countries
►Concept of digital divide
► Causes of digital divide
►Barriers facing developing countries

5. Access to Government Information

►Nature and extent of government information
► Public access to government information in Tanzania
► Access to government information on the internet
 ► Freedom of information and privacy

6. The Economics of Information

► The value of information as a commodity in the society
► Commercialization of information

7. The use of Information Technology and its Impact in Socio-economic

Development
► The Concepts of information technology, and development
► Use of ICT for enhancing socio- development activities
► History and development of ICT industry in Tanzania
► Gender issues in ICT Policy
► Factors hindering effective use of ICT for national development in Tanzania

8. The Role of Institutions as Information Generators, Providers and

Promoters
►Tertiary and research institutions
► Media institutions

9. The Future Role of Information Professionals

► Who is information professional
►New demands and challenges
►The emerging market for new types of information professional

Reading List
Apostle, R. & Raymond, B. (1997). Librarianship and the information paradigm.
London: The Scarecrow Press.

Feather, J. (1994). The information society: A continuity and change. London: Library
Association Publishing

Hill, M. W. (1999). The Impact of Information on Society: An examination of its nature,

value and usage. London: Bowker.

Kaane, L. H. (1998). “Information for research and development in African development

process.” A paper presented in the Information for Sustainable Development in
the 21st Century: Proceedings of the 13th Standing Conference of Eastern, Central
and Southern Africa Librarians, Nairobi, July 27-31, 1998. Nairobi: Kenya
Library Association.
Kularatne, E.D.T. (1997, September). “Information needs and information provision in

Developing Countries.” Information Development, 13(3), pp. 117-121.

Lundu, M.C. (Ed.) (1996). The political economy of information: On development,

democracy and security in Southern Africa. Harare: Sapes Books.

Ng’ang’a, J. M. (1998). “The role of libraries and information centers in rural
development.” A paper presented in the Information for Sustainable Development
in the 21st Century: Proceedings of the 13th Standing Conference of Eastern,
Central and Southern Africa Librarians, Nairobi, July 27-31, 1998. Nairobi:
Kenya Library Association.

Norton, M. J. (2000). Introductory concepts in information science. Medford:

Information Today.

Shayo, J. (2000). “Information sector most underdeveloped” The Guardian Newspaper,

Dar es Salaam, June 07, 2000.

URL: http://www.ippmedia.com

The Information Society: An International Journal [WWW document with contents of

interest to most aspects of LIS courses].
URL: http://www-slis.lib.indiana.edu/TIS/

Valantin, R. & Howkins, J. (1997). Development and information age: Four global

scenarios for the future of information and communication technology. Ottawa:

IDRC. URL: http://www.idrc.ca/abc/

Assessment of Students
(a) Monitoring Performance
In order to make genuine assessment of student’s performance he/she must have attended
at least 75% of the lectures.

(b) Assessment of Performance

(i) Coursework comprises the following:
Take-home assignments – (equal weight)…..….………….20%
Mid- semester test…….……. ...……………………………25%
Presentation…………………………………………………5%
(ii) Final examination….……………..…………………………….50%
Total……………100%
(c) A student, however, must get at least 40% of the final examination in order to pass.

(d) The overall pass mark is 50%.