Information Sciences and Technologies

Objectives

This course is an introduction to the concepts of information sciences and technologies in the context of communication sciences, with focus on the concept on information and the "digital" issue. The student should be able to:
1) Understand the origins of the modern concept of information
2) Master the concept of information, understanding the difference when compared to its common use
3) Understand the basic digital binary structure of information and the computational processing of data and information through algorithms
4) Acquire basic notions of data structures and Network Theory and understand the issue of ubiquitous computing
5) Acquire a sustained knowledge about Artificial Intelligence (IA)
6) Understand the growing application of IA algorithms and its relation to Big Data
7) Begin a philosophical quest on the concept of information: i.e. information-as-thing vs information-as-relation

General characterization

Code

01105046

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Graça Maria Bordalo Rocha Simões

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

Bibliography will be updated during the semester and delivered in a specific document.

Barabási, A-L. 2014. LInked - How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business,Science, and Everyday Life. Basic Books
Capurro, R. & Hjorland, B. 2003. O Conceito de Informação.
Domingos, P. () A Revolução do Algoritmo Mestre – Como a aprendizagem automática está a mudar o mundo. Manuscrito Editora
Dourish,P. 2017. The Stuff of Bits – An essay on the materialities of information. The MIT Press
Floridi, L. Information - A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press
Gleick, J. 2012. Informação – Uma história, uma teoria, um dilúvio. Lisboa: Temas e Debates
Ilharco, F. 2003 Filosofia da Informação. Lisboa: Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
Silva, P. 2007. A Cibernética – Onde os reinos se fundem. Lisboa: Edições quasi
Weaver, W. 1963. Introductory Note on the General Setting of the Analytical Communication Studies” in Shannon, C. e Weaver, W. The Mathematical Theory of Communication. University of Illinois Press. (1949)

Teaching method

Evaluation method

In class teaching.
The teaching method is mostly expository (70%), but internet will be used (30%) to underline or clarify theories, concepts and practical examples. In class critical participation will be stimulated.
Evaluation:
- One written presencial test. Date do be defined. 50% of the final grade
- An essay (2000-2500 words) to be delivered in print and digital form and mandatorily presented in class (subject to be defined each semester). Date to be defined. 50% of the final grade.

- Both assignments are mandatory.

Subject matter

This course is an introduction to the concepts of information sciences and technologies in the context of communication sciences, with focus on the concept of information and the "digital" issue.

1.Information
1.0 Three different directions for the notion of information:
- Separation between form and content, a fundamental conceptual distinction
- Technique for messages transmission - signal, signal treatment and code – Shannon
- Research tradition on logic and mathematics – computation, Turing algorithm
1.1 Shannon’s Information/Entropy in the context of The Mathematical Theory of Communication- Weaver interpretation. Information as a difference (Wiener, Bateson and Luhmann)
1.2 The Binary Digital. Computers and data processing, storage and transmission. Algorithm

2. Introduction to Net Theory: nets emergence, behavior and evolution. Concrete examples (Barabási)
3. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Soft AI and Hard AI. Super algorithms. Learning algorithms.

4. After all, what is information? Introduction to a philosophical quest: i.e. information-as-thing vs information- as-relation.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: