Information architecture (IA) is the structural design of shared information environments; the art and science of organizing and labelling websites, intranets, online communities and software to support usability and findability; and an emerging community of practice focused on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape. - Wikipedia
By studying this video course you will learn why IA is such a fundamental stage of the Design Process. I would say is the most abstract view and starting point of UX, but something completely different from UX design.
By Jorge Arango