BAD 64042 Summer 2008 Brandyberry

Dr. Alan A. Brandyberry

6:00 - 9:50 PM Tu Th, BSA 210

Before and after class and by appointment.

BSA A425 (Kent Campus)

330-672-1146

abrandyb@kent.edu (preferred contact method - please put 64042 somewhere in subject line)

Course: http://vista.kent.edu/ 

Catalog 
> <b>Description:<b>

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. 

Basic computer proficiency.

Oz, E., Management Information Systems, Course Technology Inc., 6th edition, ISBN 13: 978-1-4239-0178-5 © 2009.

Course 
> <b>Objectives:<b>

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.
> 2. Have developed abilities to identify organizational situations where management processes can be best supported with a computer-based information system. <br> 3. Have developed skills in recognizing how organizational decision making and productivity can be improved by using well planned and executed computer-based information systems.
> 4. Have an understanding of the concept of a computer system including detailed knowledge about hardware and software. <br> 5. Know the components of a computer-based information system (CBIS).
> 6. Have an understanding of data communication and telecommunication terminology. <br> 7. Be acquainted with the hardware and software used in a typical business communications network.
> 8. Understand the characteristics of the various information system types. Understand how they work and what their benefits and limitations are. <br> 9. Understand the process of a system development life cycle and other methods (prototyping) for system development.
> 10. Learn about end-user computing, its control and its impact on organizations. <br> 11. Learn about information systems applications in the business functional areas.
> 12. Understand basic concepts of E-Business and E-Commerce including inter and intra-organizational systems. <div>

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 two text chapters 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, 
> <b>Preparation,&nbsp;<b>
> <b>&amp; Participation:<b>

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 
> <b>&amp; Assignments:<b>

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 or two cases in each chapter (except Chapter 1) will be presented by teams of two students (some adjustments may be necessary due to final enrollment count). 

Guidelines for case presentations:

Term Research
> <b>PaperProject:

A research paper or project will be required for this course.  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.

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 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 8:50.  During the last hour you may take the quiz for up to 4 chapters (any four).  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 4 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 2 of the 14 quiz scores.  Important: you must take all 14, only quizzes that you have taken may have their scores dropped so even if you are satisfied with your first 12 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.  I will allow you ten minutes at the beginning of the session to refresh your memory for ALL the quizzes you may be taking during the session. 

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 
> <b>Policy:<b>

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 
> <b>Dishonesty:<b>

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.

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.

                                                                POINTS 
> Quizzes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;35&nbsp; <br> Attendance/Participation                              15  
> Case Questions&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10<br> Case Presentations                                        15
> Final ProjectPaper                                        25 
> Total&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 100 <div>

Grading 
> <b>Miscellaneous:<b>

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.

June 10

Business Information Systems: An Overview
> Strategic Uses of Information Systems<div>

1, 2

June 12

Strategic Uses of Information Systems
> Business Functions and Supply Chains<div>

2, 3

June 17

Business Hardware
> Business Software<div>

4, 5

June 19

Business Networks and Telecommunications 
> The Web-Enabled Enterprise<div>

6, 8

June 24

Database Management Systems

7

June 26

Challenges in Global Information Systems 
> Decision Support and Expert Systems<div>

9, 10

July 01

Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management
> Systems Planning and Development<div>

11, 12

July 03

Choices in Systems Acquisition
> Risks, Security, and Disaster Recovery<div>

13, 14

July 08

Catch-up and/or advanced topics

 

July 10

Project Presentations