Department of Information Science

In the 21st century digital media and human behaviour have become irreversibly intertwined. This module explores what it means to live in a digital society. Digital media are tools, channels, platforms and strategies which we can use to obtain, produce, and share knowledge about the world around us, through communication and interaction. The module covers the key concepts, debates, and theories that are relevant to digital media, social media, media and society, data and society, and the internet. This includes investigation of digital citizenship, mobile culture, software, algorithms and data and considers the role of digital media in social research.

Lecturer:
Ms Tania Gill
[email protected]

This module concerns the design of interfaces for computer applications (e.g., web and mobile applications; business information systems). Students will be introduced to current approaches to information architecture and application structure and the key principles of interface design and human computer interaction. The module has a practical orientation in which a modern design platform is used to perform practical assignments.

Lecturer:
Dr Edward-John Bottomley
[email protected]

Pervasive digital media, expanding information occupations and the development of the internet have combined to give rise to the global information society. In this module students will study this information explosion by critically examining the major theoretical approaches to informational development through the work of prominent theorists including Castells, Schiller, Habermas and Giddens.

Lecturer:
Dr Christiaan Maasdorp
[email protected]

This module introduces students to the inter-disciplinary field of computational social science, which combines insights from computer and information science, sociology and social network analysis, economics, political science, and public health in order to equip students to answer social science questions using computational methods.

Students are not expected to have any prior computer programming knowledge. Students will learn to ask social science questions, and answer these questions by collecting and analysing data from digital sources. Students will acquire skills in data analysis programming languages and in data analysis techniques for working with digital trace data.

Lecturer:
Dr Douglas Parry
[email protected]

This is a theoretical module that covers the core principles of information systems and how they are developed, used, and managed in contemporary practice. Students will cover themes such as technological infrastructure of information systems, the role of information systems in business operation, and the management of information systems development projects.

Lecturer:
Mr Dewald Blaauw
[email protected]

This module introduces students to computer application development on both a theoretical and practical level. The module does not require students to have any prior computer programming experience. An understanding of fundamental concepts in programming such as data types, variables, input, output, flow control (including iteration and decision structures), modules and functions is established. Students implement these principles through the use of a contemporary programming language. Additionally, students will learn to use key web development standards including HTML and CSS.

Lecturer:
Mr Richard Barnett
[email protected]

This module addresses systems analysis and design in the context of information systems projects. It adopts a practical orientation and aims, firstly, to expose students to the key principles of information systems analysis and design from the perspective of a systems analyst. Systems analysis activities and the associated documentation and modelling standards are presented. This is followed by the essential aspects of systems design, including the relevant techniques and standards. Students apply these principles through practical case-based-assignments.

This module uses industry standard UML tools provided by Visual Paradigm. Visual Paradigm grants Stellenbosch University UML tools, BPMN tools, Agile Story Mapping tools and DFD tools under the Academic Partner Program.

Lecturer:
Mrs Mariam Jacobs-Basadien
[email protected]

This module integrates and extends knowledge and skills from prior modules in Socio- and Organisational Informatics. The module covers systems development approaches and project management, as well as advanced design and deployment concepts. Students execute a group-based project to design and develop a fully functional information system using appropriate modern development technologies, design-approaches, and project management methodologies.

Lecturer:
Mr Richard Barnett
[email protected]