Information Systems Concepts

 General Learning Goals:   

1. Teambuilding and collaboration to achieve group objectives.  During the Team Projects exercises, students will work in teams as they gather information, make decisions, and develop written reports and prepare for oral presentations.  The students’ abilities to work in teams will be assessed by instructor and peer evaluations.
2. Competency in writing for common business scenarios.  Teams will prepare and submit written reports.  Part of the score on these projects is based on the team’s ability to develop cohesive reports free from grammatical and formatting errors. 
3. Competency in speaking for common business scenarios.  Students will practice their oral presentation skills in in-class discussions.  In addition, teams will prepare oral presentations.  Part of the score of these projects is based on the team’s ability to present the information in a professional manner.
4. Problem solving and decision-making abilities through critical analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of business information.  Students will demonstrate problem solving and decision-making ability as they synthesize their information into coherent and defendable case evaluations in class and as they analyze the team and individual projects.  Part of the score on the projects is based on the appropriateness of the decisions.   
5. Being able to utilize available technology for common business applications.  Students will be required to utilize available technology for common business applications for all projects.  Students will demonstrate their ability to use common business computer applications by utilizing Microsoft Word for written assignments and Microsoft PowerPoint for their team presentations.  A portion of the grade for the presentation is based on the quality of the slides.

 General learning goals represent the skills that graduates will carry with them into their careers.  While assessing student performance in obtaining these general learning goals, the Dillard College is assessing its programs.  The assessments will assist us as we improve our curriculum and curriculum delivery. 

Course Specific Learning Goals:  After completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Describe the relationships among people, information technology, and information,
2. Summarize the importance of supply chain management (SCM) system, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems,
3. Describe the key characteristics of relational database, data warehouses and major data mining tools,
4. Define Decision Support Systems and major Artificial Intelligence tools,
5. Define and describe major e-commerce business models,
6. Discuss some major trends that are impacting both the e-commerce business world and society in general,
7. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of insourcing, outsourcing, and selfsourcing,
8. Compare efficiency IT metrics and effectiveness IT metrics,
9. Define the relationship between security and ethics,
10. Explain how the integration of business and technology is shaping 21st century organizations,
11. Develop insight into “real world” IS management issues through case analyses.

Exams (2):  Exams will cover assigned chapters, in-class lectures, speakers, and any other assigned readings.  Students are responsible for all assigned textbook material, even if it is not directly discussed in class.

 Team Projects (3):  There will be threeteam projects.  Each student will be part of a team.  Each team will be responsible for a “Group Projects” assignment at the end of five selected textbook chapters.  The assignment will consist of a written summary and an oral presentation.  The team members should work jointly to complete these projects.  For each team project,

1. Each team will submit a written summary analysis. The analysis should consist of 1.5 line spacing, with one-inch margins, and of sufficient length to fully cover everything presented in the oral presentation portion of the project.  The written summary should be of the highest professional quality.  It should be placed in a folder with bend tabs or other means to securely fix it in place have a cover sheet, executive summary, table of contents, exhibits, graphs, appendices, and references.  Absolutely no late assignments will be accepted.
2. Using the same assignment, each team will give a presentation. The presentation should be planned, rehearsed, and in the 30-40 minutes range(including class discussions).  The presentation is expected to be professional, which means appropriate dress (With the number of presentations to be done, dress will not be dictated by the instructor.  Each team will decide how they want to handle it.), professional attitude, and everyone in the team participates.  You are not required to use PowerPoint for the presentations.  Again, the team is to decide what is required to do a professional, high quality presentation. At the beginning of class on the days of the presentation, the team needs to give the instructor a copy of all visuals the team plans to show.  All team members must be present and share equally in the presentations to earn a grade.

 Individual Project (1):  Each class member will be the lead discussant for one of the chapter “closing case study”.  It is up to the student to decide whether to use PowerPoint and/or handouts and how to conduct his/her discussion session. However, it will take at least 30 minutes to cover the material. This is also a great opportunity to do some research and present some additional quality current information to the class.  Your role will be the instructor for your case study.  Your best efforts and preparation will be necessary to be successful.

 Participation:  To benefit most from this course, the student must take the perspective of a practicing manager rather than that of a mildly interested onlooker.  Class participation is extremely critical in this course.  While basic chapter material is important, the classes will concentrate on applying that material to the cases and exercises at the ends of the chapters.  There will be very little lecturing by the instructor.  Because this course depends so strongly on discussions, each student bears responsibility, not only for her/his own learning, but also for contributing to the learning experiences of others.  Coming fully prepared for each class is a prerequisite for optimizing the benefits from this course.  Preparation is demonstrated by both the quality and quantity of involvement in the assigned topic of discussion.  Attendance alone is not enough for an above average participation grade.  You must talk and make informed comments.  Each student’s participation (or lack thereof) will be noted for each class period.  50 of the 200 points will be based on the percentage of classes attended.  Absences will be excused only for approved school trips and serious health issues.  150 of the 200 points will be based on being prepared for class and actively participating in class discussions on a daily basis.  Not being prepared daily and non-participation in classes will limit your grade to a maximum of a B in the course.  Everyone starts with 0 out of 150 points possible for participation.  Grades will be given as earned.

 Peer Evaluation:  For all team activities, you will grade your team members on the quality and quantity of their participation in the team by completing peer evaluation forms.  You are required to turn in these evaluation forms.

 Points will be allocated using the following scheme. 

Regular attendance is expected and roll will be taken.  Participation in class discussion is mandatory and a significant part of the overall class grade.  Students must read the assigned material and complete assignments prior to coming to class and be prepared to discuss and ask questions relating to assigned material.  See the MSU Student Handbook for University Class Attendance Policy.