This course examines the nature, production, value and uses of information in historical perspective; the latest development in information technology; the ways information is produced and disseminated and how they affect business, politics, media, science, arts and culture; the growth of the information society; and major information policy issues.

• Identify the nature, value, and uses of information in the past and present
• Describe the principles of the organization, production, and dissemination of information
• Describe the impact of the latest developments in information technology on social, cultural, political, and economic institutions
• Analyze the major issues in information policy and ethics
• Be able to identify an information need, find and evaluate information, and use information for a specific purpose
• Apply knowledge gained from coursework to analyze a major information policy issue