BAD 64042 Fall 2008 Brandyberry
B AD 64042 - MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS - SYLLABUS
Fall 2008
Kent State University – Stark Campus
Management & Information Systems Department
Instructor: |
Dr. Alan A. Brandyberry |
Class Times: |
6:15-8:55PM Tues. Fine Arts Building 10 – STARK CAMPUS |
Office Hours: |
Before and after class and by appointment other times available at KSU main campus. |
Office: |
BSA A425 (Kent Campus) |
Phone: |
330-672-1146 |
Email: |
abrandyb@kent.edu (preferred contact method - please put 64042 somewhere in subject line) |
Web Sites: |
Course: http://vista.kent.edu/ |
Catalog |
Theory, development, application and management of information systems and their impact on people and organizations; emphasis on strategy, ethics and competitive advantage of modern technology. |
Prerequisite: |
Basic computer proficiency. |
Required Texts: |
Oz, E., Management Information Systems, Course Technology Inc., 6th edition, ISBN 13: 978-1-4239-0178-5 © 2009. |
Course |
This course focuses on the fundamentals underlying the design, implementation, control, evaluation and strategic use of modern, computer-based information systems for business data processing, office automation, information reporting, decision-making, and electronic commerce. The major emphasis will be on the managerial and strategic aspects of information technology. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Terminology. The student will be able to explain the meaning of terms used to describe common techniques and concepts in business information systems. 2. Advanced Information Systems Concepts. The student will be able to describe the ways in which computers are and will be used in business and management. These concepts include telecommunications, electronic commerce, data warehousing and mining, artificial intelligence, and future directions of computer-based information systems. 3. Systems Development. The students engage in activities emphasizing key aspects of systems development in modern business environments. 4. Behavioral and Organizational Issues. The student will be able to identify and suggest appropriate responses to managerial and organizational issues stemming from development, implementation, and use of computer-based information systems. 5. International Issues. The student will recognize the reality of implementing international information systems, including economic and cultural differences. 6. Social and Ethical Issues. The student will understand the major social and ethical issues involved in the development and use of information technology. Upon completion of this course, students will: 1. Have an understanding of the principles, practices, methodologies and terminology used in planning, designing, developing, and implementing information systems in organizations. |
Class Format: |
This course will employ a predominantly discussion format. While the material in the text is critical for all business decision-makers to understand, I understand that many students in this course will already have a background that includes many of these fundamentals. In this context, it is important to understand that I do not intend to lecture on every text detail. We have generally scheduled one text chapter per day; we will open each class session by discussing the general contents of each chapter. I will open some topics for discussion and I expect students to be prepared to discuss them and to ask any questions that remain after their reading of the chapter. I feel rehashing what students have already read line by line in class is tedious for all involved and takes time from more in-depth discussion and activities. I believe this method will result in a more complete and meaningful understand of the material in general. It is absolutely critical, however, for the student to understand that this puts some additional responsibility on them! You must read the material before class and write down or commit to memory any portions of the material that was not fully understood or that you would like to know more about than what the book offers. In class you should bring up your questions (and insights/ideas/experiences) for discussion. In this way we only spend time on material that needs clarification rather than discussing everything in the text. After our discussion of the chapter, we will move on to technical and/or applied topics, demonstrations, and examples and business cases. Some of these cases will be assigned to individuals or teams, others will be assigned to the class as a whole. In all cases, all students are expected to participate in our discussion of these cases. |
Attendance, |
The material that is to be discussed in class should be read by the student before class. Attendance will be taken and whenever you are not present you will miss activities that cannot be made up. Missing class or portions of class will reduce your attendance/participation grade correspondingly. Students should be prepared to discuss the reading material, assigned cases and discussion or review questions. Failure to prepare and participate will also reduce this portion of your grade. Your grade for this portion is based on a subjective assessment of the quality and frequency of your participation. |
Cases |
We will discuss the questions for each of the "Real Cases" at the end of each chapter in class (time permitting). Each student should write (word process) out brief answers to each question in the cases. These will be collected each week and graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. The point of doing this is to make sure that everyone is prepared to discuss the cases; therefore, I will not accept the written questions from anyone who is not present to discuss the case. One case in each chapter (except Chapters 1&2) will be presented by teams of approximately four students (some adjustments may be necessary due to final enrollment count). Guidelines for case presentations:
|
Team Research |
A research paper or project will be required for this course and will be done in teams of two. The research paper should be a narrowly focused in-depth examination of an IS topic. A literature review is required but is not sufficient in itself. After reviewing the literature you should discuss its significance in how it relates to the objectives of this class, discuss potential applications and the future of the topic and generally provide an interpretation of the topic based upon your own insight, experience, and knowledge. In addition to a research paper, an information system computer project is also acceptable. Possible projects include, but are not limited to, development of database applications, expert systems, and e-commerce web sites (any web site project must include a server side processing element - static html is not sufficient). A presentation of the paper/project to the class is required. This paper/project will be done individually. If enrollment is substantially higher than expected, the instructor reserves the right to modify this to an appropriately sized team project. |
Examinations: |
This class will employ an unusual examination system. Instead of the traditional midterm/final examination schedule, each of the 14 chapters will be tested individually. I would like to concentrate on applying the chapter contents to business situations using cases during our class time but also need to make sure that students grasp the fundamental concepts included in the chapters. Therefore, each chapter will have a 10-15 minute quiz associated with it that you may take any time you wish with some constraints. Each day we will conclude our class discussion by 8:25. During the last 30 minutes you may take the quiz for up to two chapters (any two). I would suggest that the best way to accomplish this would be to take each one the day we discuss it - but it is up to you. Do note that you need to leave yourself enough time to take all the chapter quizzes - you may only take two per day so don't get too far behind! We do lose a little class time each week but in the traditional method we generally lose several entire class days so it balances. Finally, you may drop the lowest 1 of the 14 quiz scores. Important: you must take all 14, only a quiz that you have taken may have its score dropped so even if you are satisfied with your first 13 scores - DO take the remaining two quizzes or they will end up as zeros! Students often want to use some time to study for the quiz they are taking immediately prior to taking the quiz. While I understand this, it “spoils” one of the fundamental reasons I have placed the quiz time at the end of the class period. Studies have shown that when students study for something that they will be evaluated on immediately, they study differently than when they know they will need to know the material hours or days into the future. The end result is much lower long-term retention of concepts when students are tested immediately after studying. Students may feel free to inquire into any aspect of examinations or their scores during office hours. However, to encourage quick resolution of problems or concerns which may arise, issues must be raised with the instructor within two weeks following return of the exam. If the instructor is not contacted prior to that time the examination will be considered closed and grades finalized. |
Attendance |
Students are responsible for all in class announcements and material whether absence is excused or unexcused. Missed assignments will not be made up. In certain cases (emergencies) the score will be dropped. All other cases receive a score of zero. |
Academic |
Any student found to be engaged in cheating, plagiarism, or any form of academic misconduct in this course, whether on exams or any other assignment, will automatically receive a grade of "F" for the course. Other actions may be taken by the College of Business Administration and/or the University. This policy is to protect the majority of students who are honest. |
Access: |
In accordance with university policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access to this course, please contact the instructor during the first week of the semester. Disabilities must be documented through the Office of Student Disability Services located in the Michael Schwartz Center. |
Grading: |
POINTS Letter-grade determinations will be made on the following percentage basis (your score rounded to the nearest whole number): A >93; A- 90-92; B+ 87-89; B 83-86; B- 80-82; C+ 77-79; C 73-76; C- 70-72; D+ 67-69; D 60-66 F <60. A lower curve may be substituted at the discretion of the instructor. I state this as an option but in my experience this class rarely ends up being curved. Grade curving is only done at the end of the term for final grades. Do not try to anticipate the curve - target the score that will get you the desired grade on the straight scale above. Students are welcome at any time to inquire into their current grade status. |
Grading |
No "extra credit" will be considered. I often am requested to provide extra credit work to students who are not satisfied with their current scores. Although I appreciate the willingness to do extra work, the concept of extra credit does not function in courses where a curve may be applied to the final grades. In this environment, students are penalized if they do not do the extra credit work, which should not be the case. "Incompletes" and "In Progress" grades will only be given in cases where unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances have made it impossible to complete the work required for the course in time. Although I do understand that many of you work, have family obligations, and may be taking other courses, you are expected to adjust your course loads so you can allot sufficient time to the courses you are taking. If you choose to overload yourself, you will have to live with the consequences. That said; please contact me with any problems you are having with the course. I may not be able to offer you extra credit or an incomplete but I will do anything in my power (that is ethical and upholds the academic integrity of myself and the university) to make this course a positive and successful learning experience for all students who are willing to put in the effort required. |
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Date: |
Topic: |
Chapter(s): |
Sep 02 |
Business Information Systems: An Overview |
1 |
Sep 02 |
Strategic Uses of Information Systems |
2 |
Sep 9 |
Business Functions and Supply Chains |
3 |
Sep 16 |
Business Hardware |
4 |
Sep 23 |
Business Software |
5 |
Sep 30 |
Business Networks and Telecommunications |
6 |
Oct 07 |
The Web-Enabled Enterprise |
7 |
Oct 14 |
Database Management Systems |
8 |
Oct 21 |
Challenges in Global Information Systems |
9 |
Oct 28 |
Decision Support and Expert Systems |
10 |
Nov 04 |
Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management |
11 |
Nov 18 |
Systems Planning and Development |
12 |
Nov 25 |
Choices in Systems Acquisition – experimental electronic delivery – details will be provided |
13 |
Dec 02 |
Risks, Security, and Disaster Recovery |
14 |
Final Exam Period |
Project Presentations |
|
The Following Policies Apply to All Students in this Course
A. Students attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisite risk being deregistered from the class.
Students have responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes. You are advised to review your official class schedule (using Web for Students) during the first two weeks of the semester to ensure you are properly enrolled in this class and section. Should you find an error in your class schedule, you have until Sunday, September 7, 2008 to correct the error with your advising office. If registration errors are not corrected by this date and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class in which you are not properly registered.
B. Academic Honesty: Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit. The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense. It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade (0 points) for the work or course. Repeat offenses may result in dismissal from the University.
C. Course Withdrawal:
For fall 2008, the course withdrawal deadline is Sunday, November 2, 2008.
D. Students with disabilities:
University policy 3342-3-18 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access equal access course content. If you have documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through the Student Disability Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit www.kent.edu/sds for more information on registration procedures).