Bachelor of Information Studies

Purpose

This qualification provides increased managerial capacity and enhances the information handling capacity of managers. It is in this context that this qualification develops graduates who are capable in information sciences to take their place as information specialists to serve the country at local, regional, provincial and national levels, in accessing and interpreting relevant information that is needed to further develop the national priorities of the country. The Bachelor of Information Studies, Level 8 prepares learners who are ethical in their approach to their work in handling f information and understanding the information users and information society in which they work. They are knowledgeable and skilled in understanding and working in information systems and networks, organising knowledge, achieving proficiency in the administration and management of library information systems, information management, organising information sources, managing records, documents and engaging in research in the context of information studies.

Rationale

This qualification is aimed at responding to the information overload that has crippled the post-modern society. Given the huge range and availability of information in society today, organisations and decision-makers are challenged to understand and select appropriate information to use in their decision-making cycles. The existing national priority of job creation and the requisite need to increase managerial capacity coupled with effective governance and decision-making, are addressed by this qualification.

The qualification will provide appropriately trained information handlers who have the requisite knowledge and skills with which to address issues of information overload, organising information for accessibility based on the needs of their users and to ensure that the right information is made available at the right time for the right purpose.

Information is regarded as one of the key resources that can help any society and organisation to develop and compete with their peers and should be managed effectively to ensure that it serves its intended purpose. Learners who take a keen interest in understanding how information is used by societies, may graduate with the Bachelor of Information Studies, Level 8 to become information brokers, information specialists, information consultants, librarians, or information managers in government and corporate organisations.

The qualification is designed in such a way that a learning pathway articulates to higher levels within the field of Information Studies. The qualification provides benefits to the learner in personal development, understanding the world as a sub-set of inte-related systems and in achieving skills in handling, selecting and organising information for specific purposes. As such, a better understanding of society is achieved and decision-makers in the economy are equipped by these specialists, with an appropriate information-set that will assist them in taking context-relevant decisions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as allowing for advanced standing RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the learner's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), Level 4, granting access to Bachelor Degree study.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 504 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5

• Student Success 101, 4 Credits.
• Student Success 102, 4 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6

• Introduction to Information Technologies, 12 Credits.
• Information Sources and Services, 12 Credits.
• Communication Skills, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Computers, 12 Credits.
• Management of Libraries and Information Centre's, 12 Credits.
• Information society: issues and trends, 12 Credits.
• Contexts of Communication, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Data Bases and Information Systems, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Information Ethics, 20 Credits.
• Information Users and Use, 20 Credits.
• Information Management, 20 Credits.
• Organisation of Information Sources, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6

• Concepts of Development, 12 Credits.
• European History (5BCE-18CAD), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Media and Society Print Media, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology, 12 Credits.
• Development and the Environment, 12 Credits.
• Early Southern African History, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Media Ethics, Radio Broadcasting and Writing for the Media, 12 Credits.
• Cognitive and Health Psychology, 12 Credits.
• Verbal and Non-verbal Communication, 20 Credits.
• Modern World History 1789-1900, 20 Credits.
• Media Law and Ethics, Mass Media Theories, 20 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 20 Credits.
• Organisational Communication, 20 Credits.
• South African History 1800-1900, 20 Credits.
• Community Media Studies, New Media, 20 Credits.
• Social Psychology, Theories of Personality and Neuropsychology, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7

• Organisation of Knowledge, 32 Credits.
• Management and Administration of LIS, 32 Credits.
• Advanced Organisation of Knowledge, 32 Credits.
• Introduction to LIS Research, 32 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7

• Integrated Marketing Communication, 32 Credits.
• European History since 1900, 32 Credits.
• Corporate Journalism, Advertising, 32 Credits.
• Community Psychology & Child and Adult Psychopathology, 32 Credits.
• Corporate Communication, 32 Credits.
• South Africa during the 20th Century, 32 Credits.
• Radio Production and Practicum, 32 Credits.
• Therapeutic Psychology and Developmental Psychology (Adolescent and Adulthood), 32 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8

• Information Systems and Networks, 28 Credits.
• Records and Documents Management, 28 Credits.
• LIS Research project, 40 Credits.
• Practicum, 28 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of and engagement with f the processes of handling information in a range of contexts and situations.
2. Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge.
3. Select, apply or transfer appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques to collect and use information for own academic and non-academic purposes.
4. Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems that present themselves in information studies.
5. Identify and address ethical issues based on the context in which it occurs.
6. Review information-gathering processes, synthesis of data and evaluation and management processes in differing contexts.
7. Present and communication academic, professional or occupation ideas and texts to a range of audiences.
8. Operate effectively within a system or manage a system based on an understanding of the roles of elements within a system.
9. Manage and be accountable for own learning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate the importance of data, information, information audits, information mapping and flow in Library and Information Services (LIS) Organisations.
• Debate the economics of information.
• Identify factors that influence the choice of database products in LIS organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Access, evaluate and perform information searches using various databases such as Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and Information.
• Apply a variety of search strategies.
• Prepare collection assessment procedures and identify titles that should be acquired.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Appropriately describe information production processes.
• Substantiate the selection of information sources though explaining the principles and procedures followed.
• Identify dynamics involved in collection building and management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate and accurately identify common information problems.
• Provide appropriate solutions to common information problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify ethical and legal issues related to information.
• Appraise the wider ethical issues associates with Information Systems (IS) development and discuss their implications for computers and computerised information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and significance of effective information management through describing various information-gathering processes.
• Solve information management problems.
• Identify reasons and conditions for an information audit.
• Establish the impact of automation in library and information centres.
• Evaluate a range of library and information systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Demonstrate appropriate packaging of information for various information societies by generating and communicating different textual outlines of presentations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Identify problems in Information Systems (IS) development discuss their underlying causes and propose solutions.
• Discuss the importance of network technologies in libraries and information sector.
• Establish and justify the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in different societies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of providing information that is up-to-date and current through ongoing and professional development.
• Take accountability for decision-making and use of resources in an ethically responsible manner.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment practices in this qualification are aligned to the qualification modules, Exit Level Outcomes and core focus areas. Assessment takes place across all Exit Level Outcomes, which include:

• The ability to demonstrate an integrated knowledge and engagement of the processes of handling information in a range of contexts and situations.
• The ability to interrogate multiple sources of information.
• The application of standard procedures in information collection for academic and non-academic purposes.
• The application of a range of specialised skills problems that present themselves in the field of Information Studies.
• The application of information ethics in the field of Library Information Science.
• Gathering, processing, synthesising and managing information.
• Packaging and presenting information in different ways.
• Showing awareness of accountability and management of personal and professional learning.
• Operating effectively in a Library Information System organisation, especially through a four-week fieldwork engagement, which gives students opportunity to learn more about Laboratory Infrastructure Solutions (LIS) centres by actually working in any type except an academic library.

Both formative and summative assessments are used with a 60:40 weighting respectively. A combination of tests, assignments and presentations are used to prepare the students formatively while theoretical exams are used summatively. The practicum comprises student fieldwork reports that are submitted for assessment. The research module comprises a dissertation that is submitted for assessment.

Both formative and summative assessments are used with a 60:40 weighting respectively. A combination of tests, assignments and presentations are used to prepare the students formatively while theoretical exams are used summatively. The practicum comprises student fieldwork reports that are submitted for assessment. The research module comprises a dissertation that is submitted for assessment.