Course manual 2017/2018

Course content

In the course we explore a fundamental shift in the understanding of information and management in organizations as suggested by Introna and others. As part of this shift we try to understand the manager as being-in-the-world, information as hermeneutic understanding and management as manus. In order to reach this understanding a mix of formal theories and philosophy is provided from among others Heidegger and Gadamer. In addition students are challenged to apply and explore the consequences of the proposed insights for a diverse set of IS topics. Topics may include for example IS-evaluation, the manager’s work, performance measuring and dealing with numbers in organizational life. For this purpose a mix of literature is provided as well as opportunities for exploration and discussion.

Study materials

Literature

Lucas D. Introna. 'Management, Information and Power'. 1997. ISBN 0333698703. Be sure to order this book in time.

Other

Other materials will be announced on Blackboard.

Objectives

The student is able to contrast the manager as rational thinker and as being involved in-the-world.
The student is able to contrast information as representational knowing and as hermeneutic understanding.
The student is able to contrast management as scientific management and as manus management.
The student is able to relate different perspectives described above into two coherent perspectives.
The student is able to develop and formulate implications of the different perspectives for several IS-related topics a.o. IS-evaluation.
The student is able to critically assess the different perspectives on management and information described above

Teaching methods

Lecture
Self-study
Seminar

In part 1 of the course plenary lectures focus on examination and explanation of the philosophical insights. From this rather abstract starting point students are challenged in part 2 of the course to explore the consequences for dealing with a diverse set of IS topics as well as their own practice. The lectures in part 2 focus on exploration and joint discussion both in small groups and in plenary settings.

Learning activities

Activity	Number of hours
Plenary lectures	28
Discussion lectures	24
Workgroup lectures	4
Self study & preparation	112
Total	168

Attendance

In OER-B of the programme no requirements regarding attendance are mentioned.

Additional requirements for this course:

Presence in the lectures is mandatory for the following lectures:

7 of the 8 Lectures during the first part of the course (first 4 weeks)
5 of the 6 Discussion Lectures in the second part of the course (last 3 weeks)
The Discussion Lecture where your group is scheduled for the Discussion Assignment.

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
20% Exam	Mandatory
30% Discussion Lecture	Mandatory
Reflections	Mandatory
50% Paper	Mandatory

Assignments

See Blackboard

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

The course consists of two parts. The first part of the course explores the understanding of information and management in organizations as suggested by Introna and others. The focus during the first part of the course is understanding the essentials provided in the book of Lucas D. Introna, Management, Information and Power. In the second part of the course students are challenged to apply and explore the proposed understanding. It provides a mix of topics and literature. Lectures in the second part focus on exploration and discussion while the lectures in the first part focus on explanation of Introna’s ideas.

Part 1: week 6-9

Wk	Day	Lecture/contents
6	Tuesday	Introduction Course Introduction Study materials
6	Friday	The Manager: from rationalist thinker to involved-in-the-world
7	Tuesday	Information: from representational knowing to hermeneutic understanding
7	Friday	Management and manus
8	Tuesday	Our backgrounds Some questions on chapters 1-4 Finalize groups Discussion Assignment
8	Friday	Management information: a different story
9	Tuesday	Short Exam on Introna’s book, followed by a short lecture on: ‘So what? … and other questions’
9	Friday	Consultation meeting on Discussion Assignment

Part 2: week 10-12

Wk	Day	Lecture/contents	Assignment
10	Tuesday	*Theme: the manager* Discussion Lecture – Manager’s Mindsets	Reflection Assignment
10	Friday	Discussion Lecture – Ambidexterity	Reflection Assignment
11	Tuesday	*Theme: IS implementation & evaluation* Discussion Lecture – IS evaluation	Reflection Assignment
11	Friday	Discussion Lecture – ERP-implementation in practice	Reflection Assignment
12	Tuesday	*Theme: living with numbers* Discussion Lecture - accountability through performance monitoring technology	Reflection Assignment
12	Friday	Discussion Lecture – living with numbers in practice	Reflection Assignment

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

Maximum number of students: 48

-Before the start of the course, it is important to check the Blackboard-site of the course: http://blackboard.uva.nl

Contact information

Coordinator

drs. Arjan Vreeken

Owner	Master Information Studies
Coordinator	drs. Arjan Vreeken
Part of	Master Information Studies, track Business Information Systems, year 1 Master Information Studies, track Human Centered Multimedia, year 1

Perspectives on Information & Management