INFOGOV 709 : Access to Information

Business and Economics

2022 Quarter Four (1228) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores access to information from a global and national perspective. Critically evaluates individuals’ right to access to information. Examines the interrelationship between access to information, privacy and data governance. Addresses techniques and procedural rules to evaluate the validity of requests for access to information and grounds for refusal.

Course Overview

 The regulatory aspects related to access to information and open information are the building blocks of democracy. This course addresses the transformative effects of adequate access to relevant information on citizens. The course seeks to explore the traditional forms of information access, particularly through the use of official requests using the mechanisms that provide citizens access to information. The course also explores how the advent of the digital age and proactive open government initiatives impact on access to and the management of information.    

Course Requirements

Corequisite: INFOGOV 700

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of rights to access information in terms of existing legal frameworks through application to legal problems. (Capability 1 and 3)
  2. Evaluate the rights and obligations of public entities in responding to requests for access to information when operating in a global business environment. (Capability 3 and 6)
  3. Explain the legal principles which govern the balancing of conflicting interests related to the right of access to information. (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
  4. Evaluate the impact of the proactive disclosure of information on transparency and interested parties’ right of access to information. (Capability 2 and 6)
  5. Outline in both written and verbal formats the most appropriate processes and systems that support the management of access to information, including ethical considerations. (Capability 4 and 5)
  6. Explain the impact of information technology on the governance of access to information, including respect for the principles underpinning the Treaty of Waitangi and the concept of data sovereignty. (Capability 2 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Request for access information 30% Individual Coursework
Response for request for information 30% Individual Coursework
Report on legal framework 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Request for access information
Response for request for information
Report on legal framework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 15 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 1 hours of class discussion, 8 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 6 hours of work on assessment preparation.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including class discussions.
The course will include live online events including group discussions and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is not required.
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.

Required textbook:

P. Roth and G Taylor Access to Information, LexsisNexsis, 2017, Second Edition, ISBN 978192313664 (pbk) ISBN 971927313671 (ebk)

Additional prescribed resources such as articles, extracts from books and other resources will be provided in a Talis reading list. 

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.

Teaching will be informed by evidence from student feedback to increase student understanding and engagement.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 02/09/2022 04:52 p.m.