3 credit hours
Instructor: Dr. Tammy Arthur
Office: Self 201A
Telephone: 601-925-3414
Office Hours: M 3p-5:30p
TR 9:15a-12n; 1:15-2:15p
E-mail:
Web:
Arthur@mc.edu
Course Website: http://moodle.mc.edu/ http://www.mc.edu/faculty/arthur
I. Course Description
Introduction to Management Information Systems is a lecture and application based course that provides an introduction to the basics of information technology and its role in the organizational framework.
Students will be provided with a background into the field of Information Systems and will be asked to apply the skills and techniques discussed in class in a variety of assignments.
This section of MIS 327 is a hybrid class. The form of this class is guided individual study, supplemented with in-class sessions. Students who are not familiar with the use of online educational tools (such as discussion boards and chat rooms) or those who learn better in a regular classroom setting might prefer a more traditional class.
MIS 327 also requires repeated use of Excel and Access. Students who are not comfortable using these productivity tools without hands-on assistance might need to move to a non-hybrid setting.
II. Prerequisites
MIS 099 (the spreadsheet proficiency exam) is a prerequisite for this course. Students who struggled with the SPE are strongly encouraged to consider taking MIS 226 – Business Software Applications. This class is offered to help overcome any deficit a student might have in computer operations.
III. Rationale for Course
This course is based on the assertion that knowledge of information systems is essential for creating competitive organizations, adding business value, and providing useful products and services to customers (Laudon and Laudon). MIS is the interface between the technical methods and tools of the computer scientist and the organizational and financial ideas of the manager. Employers of business students expect them to be able to analyze and solve business problems using basic computer concepts and packages.
IV. Student Objectives and Outcomes
There are three primary learning goals for this course:

To expose the student to the history, concepts, and practices central to the field of management information systems.

To provide the student with the opportunity to consider and review these concepts using classroom discussion, business examples, and hands-on assignments.

To help the student develop an ability to analyze problems, recommend solutions, and communicate those solutions using computer tools and techniques.
V. Academic Integrity
Mississippi College students bring the very highest ethical standards into the classroom and are expected to be scrupulously honest. Students should understand that there are consequences for unacceptable behavior and that they will be held accountable for their actions. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, is regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal. Students should refer to the MC Student Handbook for examples of specific prohibited practices and the resulting punishments.

All work for this class is expected to be prepared on an individual basis unless otherwise stated by the instructor.
VI. Student Accommodation
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, he or she must contact Student Counseling Services (SCS). SCS will assist with information regarding the appropriate policy and procedure for disability accommodations before each semester or upon immediate recognition of the disability. Student Counseling Services is located in
Alumni Hall Room #4 or you may contact them by phone at 601-925-7790. The Program Coordinator,
Holly Reeves, can be reached via email at hreeves@mc.edu
and the Director of Student Counseling
Services, Morgan Bryant at mbryant@mc.edu
.
VII. Outline of Major Topics
Foundation of Information Systems
Perspectives on IS, Types of IS, Strategic IS
Information Technology Infrastructure
Hardware and Software, Data Management, Telecommunications, Security
Using Information Systems
Enterprise Systems, E-commerce, Decision Support
Managing Information Systems
Project Management, Ethical and Social Issues
VIII. Methods of Instruction
This course uses a combination of lecture (both online and traditional), class discussion (both online and traditional), and hands-on assignments.
IX. Required Practices
This course requires the student to participate by reading, providing relevant input, and completing computer assignments. This course also requires the student to work online.
X. Instructional Materials
Moodle and MyITLab
This is a hybrid class that is conducted through Moodle and through the textbook software package
MyITLab. Course material will be placed online throughout the semester.
Textbook
Laudon, Kenneth C. & Laudon, Jane P. (2014). Essentials of Management Information Systems, 11 th ed.,
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0133576841
Textbook Software
MyITLab Student Access code (Office 2013)
Computer Software
Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access
XI. Evaluation Structure
Exam 1 100 pts (20%)
Exam 2
Exam 3
100 pts (20%)
100 pts (20%)
Exam 4 (Final)
Assignments
100 pts (20%)
100 pts (20%)

Assignments
Learning about information systems requires short periods of instruction followed by longer periods of practice. To assist in this endeavor, classroom sessions will be supplemented with (mostly) weekly application-oriented exercises. These will (usually) be completed outside of class time.
Assignments are due as noted in Moodle. A letter grade will be subtracted from the score for each day that an assignment is late. Work will not be accepted more than four days past the due date since…
Student’s work will (hopefully) be graded by the following week and the results posted online. This will allow you to understand any problems and be prepared to work on the following week’s assignment. Once assignments or tests are returned, students have seven days to raise any concerns they might have as to how the grade was determined. Questions should be submitted in writing via e-mail at Arthur@mc.edu
.
Examinations
There will be four examinations during the semester. Exams contain short answer, fill in the blank, multiple choice, and/or essay questions covering the material from the textbook, class sessions, class assignments, and individual research. Most exams also have a practical component where students will be expected to apply what they have learned by completing a hands-on computer exercise in Excel and/or Access
If any student misses a test during the semester regardless of the reason, a comprehensive final exam will count in its place.
No electronic devices may be used during any examination. These include (but are not limited to) telephones, iPods, calculators, translators, and PDAs.
Participation and Attendance
Due to the nature of a hybrid class, attendance per se is not an issue. However, participation and significant contribution are expected during virtual and in-person sessions of the class.
Students are responsible for any material covered in class regardless of attendance. Missed material will not be re-presented by the instructor. All assignments are posted online and should be completed by the due date, regardless of class attendance.
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the semester who may be exhibiting behaviors that could ultimately have a negative impact on their academic progress. These behaviors are often called “red flag” behaviors and include, but are not limited to, excessive absences, poor test grades, and lack of class participation or evidence of non-engagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor the opportunity to raise the “red flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the student can take the appropriate action to redirect his/her progress. The system alerts the student, the student’s advisor, and the Office of Student Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern and to encourage him/her to make some choices to improve the situation. When a student receives an Early Alert message, the student should quickly make an appointment to talk with his/her professor about the situation. Also, students can make full use of the Office of Student Success to set academic goals and connect to campus resources.
Other Classroom Policies
In order to provide my students with the educational climate they deserve, I cannot allow any student to prevent me from teaching nor will any student be allowed to keep another student from learning. Therefore, activities that disrupt class are subject to penalty in the form of a lower final grade . These include, but are not limited to:

Cell phones that beep, buzz, or otherwise call your attention

Talking or sleeping in class

Arriving late to class

XII. TENTATIVE Schedule
Date
Week 1: 10/23
Th – In-class
Topic
Perspectives on Information Systems
Types of ISs
Week 2: 10/27
M – In-class
Week 3: 10/30
Th – Online
Week 4: 11/3
M – In-class
Week 5: 11/6
Th – Online
Week 6: 11/10
M – In-class
Week 7: 11/13
Th – In-class
Week 8: 11/17
M – In-class
Week 9: 11/20
Th – Online
Week 10: 11/24
M – Online
Collaboration Systems
IS for Competitive Advantage
Enterprise Applications
EXAM 1 – Chapters 1, 2, 3, 9, Excel
Database Basics, Data Modeling
Data Warehouses, Managing Data Resources
Hardware and Software
Telecommunications
The Internet
Security
Security
E-commerce and M-commerce
EXAM 2 – Chapter 6 & Access practical
Thursday: 11/27 THANKSGIVING
Week 11: 12/1
M – In-class
Week 12: 12/4
Th – Online
Week 13: 12/8
M – In-class
Week 14: 12/11
Th – Online
Week 15: 12/15
M – In-class
EXAM 3 – Chapters 5, 7, 8, & 10
Decision Support Systems
Decision Support Systems
Ethical and Social Issues
EXAM 4 – Chapters 4, 11, & Excel practical OR
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL
Chapter
1.2
2
2
3.1
9
6
6
5
7
7
8
8
10
11
11
4