INFOGOV 705 : Information Privacy: Theory and Application

Business and Economics

2025 Quarter Four (1258) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Critically evaluates the frameworks protecting personal information including their theoretical underpinnings and global reach. Explores the challenges to regulatory frameworks from rapid technological and social changes and encourages independent research as to how these may be addressed. Considers how leadership and accountability mechanisms can impact an organisation’s ability to adapt information privacy requirements to unpredictable, complex and ill-defined environments.

Course Overview

The purpose of this course is to develop higher-level thought leadership skills amongst information governance professionals through acquiring the ability to confront the challenges of the information age in a proactive, as opposed to a reactive, manner and through drawing on existing knowledge and theories to propose their own solutions and to implement them. The course aims to enable information governance practitioners to lead their organizations in at least three ways. First, they must be able to proactively assess threats and opportunities whenever new technologies, systems, products/services are introduced. Second, they must be able to develop accountability mechanisms within their organizations that are well grounded in theory and able to adapt to changing circumstances. Lastly, and critically, they must be able to independently propose solutions to challenges as they arise, as well as to critique what others have proposed, for example by engaging with law reform and policy development.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: INFOGOV 700

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyse conceptual issues associated with information privacy and formulate oral and written solutions where needed. (Capability 5, 6.1 and 6.2)
  2. Conduct independent legal research using appropriate sources and methodologies to support written arguments. (Capability 4 and 6.1)
  3. Critique the individual and organisational risks arising from use of personal information in the socio-legal ecosystem. (Capability 1.1, 2 and 4)
  4. Apply the requirements of the Privacy Act in varied contexts including being conversant with its dispute resolution and enforcement mechanisms. (Capability 5)
  5. Evaluate key fundamental differences between the Privacy Act and global regulatory frameworks such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through selected case studies. (Capability 1.1 and 4)
  6. Develop effective strategies and mechanisms for organisations to demonstrate accountability in their handling of personal data. (Capability 1.2 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation 12% Individual Coursework
Reports 70% Individual Coursework
Discussions 8% Individual Coursework
Report outline 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Presentation
Reports
Discussions
Report outline

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 30 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, each week you can expect 1 hour of class discussion, 16 hours of reading about and thinking about the content, and 13 hours of work interacting with the online platform and preparing for the assessments.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is optional at scheduled online activities including class discussions.

The course will include live online events including group discussions and these will be recorded.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.

This course runs to the University quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Feedback from the inaugural class has been adopted by encouraging greater engagement with the course modules by incentivising participation in the discussions through assignments relating to them. Better management of the Report selection process has been instigated by adding an assessment requiring submission of a topic outline and structure in week 5. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.