Introduction to African Information Environment
- Education
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 100 pages
- 12 units
This course introduces students to the African information environment, exploring its definition, concepts, and essence. It examines the rich culture, communities, societies, and traditions of African societies. The course sheds light on African culture, values, and the impact of Western culture on traditional African settings. It aims to facilitate a successful academic journey and enhance personal development and social status within the community.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Computer based tests
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of LIS109, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
LIS109 · Unit 1 Overview of the Information Environment
Information means data that is processed, organized and structured that enables one to have a better knowledge of something and also enables one to make a decision.
What you should be able to do
- Define information transfer and its mechanisms.
- Explain the channels of traditional communication in African societies.
- Understand information utilization and access.
- Identify factors affecting information access and use.
- Discuss ethical issues in information generation.
- Understand information storage in African societies.
What it prepares you for
- Archivist
- Information Manager
- Librarian
- Research Assistant
- Content Curator
- Education
- Government
- Cultural Heritage
- Research
- Library and Information Science
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Information and Information Generation in African Information Environment
Unit 3: Information Transmission and Dissemination in African Society
Requires understanding of various methods of information transmission, both ancient and modern, and their implications.
- Module 3: Sources and Transfer of Information in African Societies
Unit 4: Information Access and Utilization in African Societies
Requires understanding of the complex interplay of factors affecting information access and utilization in diverse African contexts.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 29 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Basic Concepts in African Information Environment
Unit 1: Overview of the Information Environment · 1.5 hours
Define information environment.. Identify and describe the dimensions of information environment.. List and explain the actors in information environment.. Discuss the content of information environment..
Unit 2: Typical African Traditional Societies Settings · 1.5 hours
Define culture and explain its characteristics.. Describe traditions in typical African settings.. Discuss traditional African values.. Evaluate the impact of western culture on traditional African settings..
- Week 2Module 2: Information and Information Generation in African Information Environment
Unit 1: Information · 2 hours
Define information and explain its characteristics.. Discuss the types of information.. Differentiate between data and information..
- Week 3Module 2: Information and Information Generation in African Information Environment
Unit 2: Information Generation in African Information Environment · 2 hours
Discuss the different modes of information generation.. Explain the forms of information generation.. Identify the role of information generation in African societies..
- Week 4Module 2: Information and Information Generation in African Information Environment
Unit 3: Information Transmission and Dissemination in African Society · 2 hours
Explain information dissemination.. Discuss the channels through which information is transmitted.. Explain the difference between ancient and modern forms of information transmission.. Define the concept of information dissemination.. Explain the various means of information dissemination..
- Week 5Module 3: Sources and Transfer of Information in African Societies
Unit 1: Sources of Information in African Societies · 2 hours
Define information.. Explain the different sources of information.. Discuss the differences between modern and postmodern sources of information..
- Week 6Module 3: Sources and Transfer of Information in African Societies
Unit 2: Channel of Communication in African Societies · 2 hours
Define communication.. Discuss the channels of traditional communication in African societies.. Explain the characteristics of traditional communication in African societies..
- Week 7Module 3: Sources and Transfer of Information in African Societies
Unit 3: Information Transfer in African Societies · 2 hours
Define information transfer.. Examine the mechanisms for transfer of information in ancient times.. Explain the mechanisms for transfer of information in modern times..
- Week 8Module 3: Sources and Transfer of Information in African Societies
Unit 4: Information Access and Utilization in African Societies · 2 hours
Define access to information.. Explain information utilization.. Discuss some factors affecting information access and use.. Suggest ways for effective information access and utilization..
- Week 9Module 4: Ethical Issues in Information Generation in African Societies
Unit 1: Ethical issues in Information Generation · 2 hours
Explain information generation.. Define ethics.. Explain the different types of ethics.. Discuss the various types of ethics as regards information generation..
- Week 10Module 4: Ethical Issues in Information Generation in African Societies
Unit 2: Information Storage in African Societies · 2 hours
Explain information storage in African societies.. Discuss the need to preserve and document culture.. Describe the ways ICT can assist in storing African culture/Information.. Identify the role of public libraries in preserving African culture.. Explain the challenges of storing African culture..
- Week 11Module 4: Ethical Issues in Information Generation in African Societies
Unit 3: Challenges of Information Management · 2 hours
Define Information management.. Explain the benefits of information management.. Identify general information management processes.. Identify librarians' information management processes.. Examine the different challenges of information management in African Societies..
- Week 12Module 1: Basic Concepts in African Information Environment
Final Revision and Assignments · 3 hours
Review all modules and units.. Work on assignments.. Prepare for computer-based tests..
- Week 13Module 2: Information and Information Generation in African Information Environment
Final Revision and Assignments · 3 hours
Complete all assignments.. Participate in online discussions.. Final preparation for examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all learning outcomes at the end of each unit and ensure you can address each one.
- Create flashcards for key terms and concepts from each module.
- Focus on understanding the differences between traditional and modern information environments in Africa.
- Practice applying ethical principles to case studies related to information generation and access.
- Develop a timeline of key events and developments in African information history.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 sources and transfer of information concepts
- Practice SQL queries from Units 7-9 weekly
Questions students ask about this course
What is LIS109 about?
This course introduces students to the African information environment, exploring its definition, concepts, and essence. It examines the rich culture, communities, societies, and traditions of African societies. The course sheds light on African culture, values, and the impact of Western culture on traditional African settings. It aims to facilitate a successful academic journey and enhance personal development and social status within the community.
How many units does LIS109 have?
LIS109, Introduction to African Information Environment, has 12 units across 4 modules, over 100 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is LIS109?
LIS109 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Education.
Is LIS109 hard?
LIS109 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does LIS109 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is LIS109 assessed?
LIS109 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments, computer based tests and final examination.
What can I do with LIS109?
Archivist, Information Manager, Librarian, Research Assistant and Content Curator.