BAD 64042 Summer 2009 Brandyberry

Instructor:

Dr. Alan A. Brandyberry

Class Times:

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

Office Hours:

Before and after class and by appointment.

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 
Description:

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 
Objectives:

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.
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.
5. Know the components of a computer-based information system (CBIS).
6. Have an understanding of data communication and telecommunication terminology.
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.
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.
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.

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 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, 
Preparation, 
& Participation:

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 
& Assignments:

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 individuals or teams of two students (adjustments may be necessary due to final enrollment count). 

Guidelines for case presentations:

• Use PowerPoint.  Email the file to me (abrandyb@kent.edu) before class time (immediately before is ok).
• Search the web for updated information on the company and situation in question where applicable.  Link to web resources where appropriate.
• Present case background and updated information.
• Do not simply present your answers to the questions, it is your job to lead a class discussion on these issues.  Ask for input from the class and after discussion present your take on it (if you would adjust your answers based on the discussion simply say so when presenting them).  After your answer is presented then ask if there is any additional discussion.
• Total time for each case should be around 30 minutes but will be flexible if there is good discussion.

Term Research
Paper/Project:

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.

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 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 
Policy:

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 
Dishonesty:

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 
Quizzes                                                         35 
Attendance/Participation                              15  
Case Questions                                             10
Case Presentations                                        15
Final Project/Paper                                        25 
Total                                                            100

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 
Miscellaneous:

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.

Date:

Topic:

Chapter(s):

June 16

Business Information Systems: An Overview
Strategic Uses of Information Systems

1, 2

June 18

Strategic Uses of Information Systems
Business Functions and Supply Chains

2, 3

June 23

Business Hardware
Business Software

4, 5

June 25

Business Networks and Telecommunications 
The Web-Enabled Enterprise

6, 8

June 30

Database Management Systems

7

July 02

Challenges in Global Information Systems 
Decision Support and Expert Systems

9, 10

July 07

Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management
Systems Planning and Development

11, 12

July 09

Choices in Systems Acquisition
Risks, Security, and Disaster Recovery

13, 14

July 14

Catch-up and/or advanced topics

July 16

Project Presentations