Offered on main campus and online, the College of Information Science's Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and eSociety (BA IS&ES) prepares you with the skills, insight and experience to launch an exciting career where creativity meets digital communication.
120
Units to Complete Degree, Includes:
42 Upper-Division, 42 Major Coursework and 18 Minor or Dual Degree
2
Ways to Study:
On Campus or Online
Program Goals & Learning Outcomes
Program goals (or student competencies) and learning outcomes for the BA IS&ES are designed to allow students to explore how humans interact with social networks and information technologies—a burgeoning field that reflects on issues related to privacy, ethics, information manipulation and the impact of social media on daily life.
- Students will be able to apply current theories of new media and varying communication methods to information services such as social/digital marketing campaigns, online content development and marketing research.
- Students will be able to communicate effectively and respectfully using digital and social media tools and skills such as storytelling, social media and other means.
- Students will be able to explain current theories of human behaviors, interactions and biases that underlie digitally mediated communication.
- Students will know and demonstrate the ability to apply current theories of new media to information services such as social/digital marketing campaigns, online content development and marketing research.
- Students will know when and how to communicate using a variety of digital and social media tools such as digital storytelling, social networks and other means, creating programs and solutions in online digital environments that are effective, inclusive and respectful of diverse people and groups.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the use of information and communication technologies and the implications of such use, such as scientific and social uses of information and social, cultural and economic implications of digital life and culture.
- Students will apply their acquired knowledge of information and communication technologies to explain current theories of the human behaviors, interactions and biases that underlie digitally mediated communication.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in information-age literacies including but not limited to evaluation of information, privacy and security, information ethics and technological literacy.
- Students will be able to recognize and analyze ethical and policy concerns raised by new technologies and will be able to apply ethical thinking to real-world cases and craft effective solutions.
- Students will demonstrate facility using basic research methods, such as research design; statistics and analysis; organization, identification and location of data and information including open- and closed-access sources; and presentation of findings in oral, written and multimedia form, including proper use and citation of sources.
- Students will acquire the skills, knowledge and self-understanding to communicate with and effectively work and interact across cultures and with diverse people and groups.
- Students will be able to identify and apply professional ethics and standards relevant to their career and aspirations.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of career and further education options and opportunities open to them relative to their plan of study and will set goals and make plans beyond their expected graduation.
Sample Four-Year Plan
120 units are required for graduation. A minor with a minimum of 18 units, or a double major, is required.
In addition to the required foundation, general education and minor or double major courses, BA IS&ES students must also meet the following requirements to complete the degree: 9 units of Introductory Courses for Major; 15 units of Major Core Courses; 6 units of Research Methods and Data Analysis; 6 units of Major Electives; and 3 units of Engagement Learning Requirement: ESOC 480: Digital Engagement.
- View or download BA IS&ES overview and sample four-year plan in PDF format.
- Transfer students, map your transfer coursework for the BA IS&ES here.
Click to view sample courses by year:
Year 1 | Fall
| ENGL 101: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH (based on placement) | 3 units |
| UNIV 101: Introduction to the General Education Experience | 1 unit |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| First-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 14 units |
Year 1 | Spring
| ENGL 102: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| ISTA 100: Great Ideas of the Information Age | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Second-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Fall
| Major Introductory Course | 3 units |
| Major Introductory Course | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| Third-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Spring
| Major Introductory Course | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Fourth-Semester Language | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Fall
| UNIV 301: General Education Portfolio | 1 unit |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Spring
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Research Methods and Data Analysis Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Fall
| Research Methods and Data Analysis Course | 3 units |
| Major Elective Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Spring
| ESOC 480: Digital Engagement | 3 units |
| Major Elective Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 12 units |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS | 120 units |
This is a sample plan and is subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc. The official degree requirements may be found in the University General Catalog and all University of Arizona students should refer to the Academic Advising Report for specific graduation requirements.
Curriculum & Courses
Bachelor's in Information Science and eSociety students take a mix of Foundations, General Education, Introductory for Major, Major Core, Research Methods and Data Analysis, Major Elective, Engagement, Minor and Additional Electives courses, subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc.
Click a link below to learn more and view course information:
Foundations
Specific unit requirements may vary based on placement and/or prior college-level coursework:
- First-year English or equivalent
- MATH Foundation: PHIL 110, LING 123, MATH 107 or MATH 112
- Second language fourth-semester proficiency
General Education
- Introduction to General Education (1 unit)
- Exploring Perspectives Courses (12 units, including at least one course from each domain: Artist, Humanist, Natural Scientist, Social Scientist)
- Building Connections Courses (9 units)
- General Education Capstone (1 unit)
Learn More About U of A General Education Requirements
Students who started before Spring 2022 will follow the previous U of A GenEd requirements:
- Tier 1 Individuals & Societies (6 units)
- Tier 1 Traditions & Cultures (6 units)
- Tier 1 Natural Sciences (6 units)
- Tier 2 Humanities (3 units)
- Tier 2 Individuals & Society (3 units)
- Tier 2 Arts (3 units)
- Diversity (3 units)
Choose three courses from:
Choose five courses from:
Choose one course from:
And choose one course from:
Choose two courses from:
BSIS students are required to take 18 units from a minor or dual major.
Additional elective courses may be needed to reach the 120-unit graduation requirement, of which 42 units must be upper-division (300-level or above) coursework.