An overview is provided of a graduate-level, information technology (IT) course in data and content management. Four main topics are covered in the course: encryption, content management systems, revision control systems, and nontraditional databases.

The functions and roles of cryptographic hashes, symmetric ciphers, and asymmetric ciphers are explained. OpenSSL, a general-purpose cryptography library, was selected for use in coursework. Due to the ubiquitous nature of the Internet, the function and role of a web-based content management system such as WordPress is explained. MediaWiki, software for wikis, was selected for use in coursework. A history is provided of the development of software to keep track of changes to a file system. The function and role of a revision control system such as Subversion is explained. Gitolite was selected for use in coursework. The reasons for the emergence of databases that do not strictly adhere to ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability) properties are discussed. The function and role of a nontraditional database such as CouchDB is explained. MongoDB, a document-oriented database, was selected for use in coursework.

During the second half of the semester, student groups were required to conduct an in-depth study of one technology. Feedback about the course from students is stated as being overwhelmingly positive.

While this paper succeeds in providing an interesting overview, few insights are provided into the actual nature and content of laboratory exercises and homework. Also, many references are to books rather than authoritative websites. This paper is recommended only to IT instructors.