UNISA Information Science Course Module 2025-2026
Major combinations:
NQF Level 5: INS1501, INS1502
NQF Level 6: INS2601, INS2602, INS2603
NQF Level 7: INS2701, INS3703, INS3705, INS3702, INS3707
| Theory of Information Science – HIN4803 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the various concepts and theoretical assumptions and paradigms in the discipline of information science that will enable them to analyse, interpret, and evaluate it critically; (b) the ability to substantiate their viewpoints regarding the theory of information science; and (c) the capacity to apply their theoretical knowledge critically within the context of the information profession. |
| Introduction to Information Science – INS1501 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain insight into the theoretical framework of Information Science; know the core concepts of the information phenomenon; explain the information infrastructure and assess the importance of information policies and literacy in a developing country; and to connect these matters to the information society and social responsibility. |
| Research Report in Information Science – HRINS81 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: A research report on a topic selected by the student in cooperation with the lecturer. The purpose of this module is to equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the key issues regarding the conduct of research and professional presentation of research findings in a variety of contexts; (b) the capacity to interpret, evaluate, judge and apply principles and techniques of the scientific methods of inquiry and presentation of data; (c) the ability to engage independently in the research process and present the findings in an academic research report; (d) the ability to think critically and holistically when dealing real-life challenges when conducting research and presenting research reports. |
| Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning – INS1502 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma,Higher Certificate |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To be able to plan for information tasks and effectively locate, evaluate and organise information needed for expository writing, and to apply this knowledge and skills in completing information tasks such as academic essays and assignments. |
| Information Users and Use – INS4801 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any other field other than information science and who wish to develop their career in LIS. The core business of LIS is to meet the information needs of the community. The purpose of this module is to equip students with knowledge and skills to determine user needs and information behavior in order to develop relevant services for different communities. |
| Exploring Information user Studies – INS2601 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: INS1501 or INS101U |
|
| Purpose: To introduce knowledge of the characteristics of different types of information user groups, information needs, information seeking behaviour and factors influencing information use. |
| Management of Knowledge and Information Services – INS4802 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any other field other than information science and who wish to develop their career in LIS. Provision of information and knowledge services forms an integral part of LIS environment. The purpose of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide and manage knowledge and information services in the LIS environment to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. |
| Investigating Information Ethics in the Information Era – INS2602 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain insight into the existence, nature and context of different types of information in order to sensitise students to ethical issues relating to information. They will be introduced to the main ethical theories and normative principles of information science; the difference between morality and the law; and issues of access, privacy and intellectual property within the framework of the South African law. |
| Introducing Information Management – INS2603 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To provide students with an introduction to the multi-disciplinary field of Information Management, this applies management principles to an organization’s information resources. These information management disciplines include records management (including electronic records management), archives management and knowledge management. |
| Information and Communication Technology for Information Science – INS2701 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: INS1501 & INS1502 |
Co-requisite: EUP1501 |
| Purpose: Qualifying students will have the competence to apply their knowledge of information and communication technologies in different contexts in the library and information sector. The purpose of the learning is to interpret, evaluate and apply the concepts, principles of operation, uses and latest trends of information and communication technologies, and indicate its influence on society. |
| The Political Economy of Information – INS3702 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To develop a critical appreciation of the politics and economics of information (focus on production and regulation); illustrate impact of global and national information infrastructures on flow of information; participate in information policy debates, manage and use intellectual property; and to map the information industries (convergence, ownership, privatisation, regulation, privacy). |
| Using Information: the Role of Information Behaviour – INS3703 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To equip students with knowledge of the information behaviour of diverse user groups interacting within different contexts and the factors shaping their information behaviour; provide applications of information behaviour in everyday life. |
| Information and Knowledge Management – INS3705 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to understand and apply information and knowledge management. |
| Information Organisation and Retrieval – INS3707 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To develop students’ knowledge and skills to retrieve, evaluate, organise and use information that are relevant to their personal information needs. |
| Descriptive Cataloguing and Subject Organisation – AIS4801 |
| Post Graduate Diploma |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any other field other than information science and who wish to develop their career in LIS. Provision of information and knowledge services forms an integral part of LIS environment. The purpose of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide and manage knowledge and information services in the LIS environment to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. |
| ICT Applications in Library and Information Services – AIS4802 |
| Post Graduate Diploma |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any other field other than information science. Students who wish to develop their career in LIS. Technology forms the basis of most of the LIS operational activities. The purpose of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to utilize and manage existing ICTs in the LIS environment to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. |
| Library and Information Practice – AIS4803 |
| Post Graduate Diploma |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This portfolio module is intended for students, who hold a Bachelor’s degree in any other field other than information science and who wish to develop their career in LIS. The portfolio should showcase the competencies obtained throughout the duration of the Post Graduate Diploma in LIS. The purpose of this module is to provide the students with an opportunity to integrate apply and report on the acquired knowledge and skills in the LIS environment. |
| Research Methodology in Information Science – HIN4801 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the key issues regarding the conduct of research and professional presentation of research findings in a variety of contexts; (b) the capacity to interpret, evaluate, judge and apply the concepts, principles and techniques of the scientific methods of inquiry, interpretation, analysis and presentation of data; (c) the ability to engage independently in the research process and present the findings in an academic research report; (d) the ability to think critically and holistically when dealing real-life challenges when conducting research and presenting research reports. |
| Social Impact of Information and Communication Technology – HIN4802 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To equip students with: (a) a sound understanding of the concepts related to the application of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a variety of environments (e.g. workplace, home, school, etc) and sectors (e.g. education, health, government, trade, banking, delivery of social services, research, etc); (b) the ability to appropriately apply different types of ICTs within the environments and sectors mentioned in (a) above; and (c) the capacity to adapt to the technological changes brought about by the ever changing ICT environment. |
