IS40310 Weaving the Web: the Internet and Society

Academic Year 2014/2015

This module covers Internet technical infrastructure and applications (e.g., tcp/ip, nameservers, telnet, ftp, electronic mail); growth in access and use of the Internet; description of the World Wide Web, its development and related technological changes, and current developments in social computing and Web 2.0. It provides a framework for understanding Internet-driven changes in information publication, dissemination and access. The social challenge of the Internet is discussed from a technical perspective: digital exclusion and political participation, pornography, censorship and content control, privacy and encryption, digital identity and authentication. Registration to this module by undergraduate students is subject to the module co-ordinator's permission.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: (1) Discuss the technical structure of the Internet (e.g. TCP/IP, packet switching) and the basic applications used in the Internet envirnoment. (2) Explain the impact of the Internet and the World Wide Web on information creation, transfer and access. (3) Critically discuss the technical problems and solutions raised by the Internet reguarding social and political issues such as political participation and social exclusion, privacy, censorship, security and encryption, personal identity. (4) Understand the current transition of Internet to social computing and Web 2.0 and the social and information implications of this transition

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

25
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

125
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.



Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
Web Design (COMP20030)

Equivalents:
Weave the Web: Internet & Soc (IS30010)

 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Examination: End of semester examination

50

 2 hour End of Trimester Exam
Essay: 2,000-2,500 words

50

 Week 9

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

If you fail this module, you may avail of a resit opportunity. Details of resit arrangements will be provided by the module coordinator and/or on Blackboard, including submission deadlines.