5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 191311395
Introduction to Information Systems
(DSS 1011-156)
Draft Syllabus ‡
Instructor:
Email:
Tel. No.:
Rubén A. Mendoza
rmendoza@sju.edu
610-660-1639
Office No.:
Web Page:
Fax No.:
Mandeville Hall 378
http://www.sju.edu/~rmendoza
610-660-1229
Class Meetings:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:00 to 11:15 a.m.
MV 111
Office Hours:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Other times by appointment
T.A.:
Matt Gantner
T.A. email:
mg049996@sju.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is an introduction to Information Technologies (ITs) and Information Systems (IS) and their impact on
business practices and is required of all Business Majors. Students will learn to identify how ITs affect the private
and public lives of members of society, to assess personal privacy and organizational security implications resulting
from the use of ITs, and learn principles that will help them become discriminating, informed, and successful users
of IT. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to better examine how ITs contribute to the development
of IS, and be ready to critically evaluate their application in the workplace.
REQUIRED TEXT & READINGS
 Beekman, George, Computer Confluence. 2005. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-143567-1
 Grauer, Robert T. and Barber, Maryann, Exploring Microsoft Office 2003 Plus Edition. 2006. PrenticeHall. ISBN 0-13-237036-0
 Other readings as assigned by instructor
Learning Objectives
* Basics of computer hardware and software
* Introductory database, telecommunication networks, and Internet technology concepts
* Conversant in the activities that support ebusiness, ecommerce, and their benefits and costs to organizations
* Familiar with basic arguments on the relationship between IT and competitive advantage
* Ability to discuss the impact of IT and IS to help the enterprise craft and execute business strategy in the pursuit of
competitive advantage.
Use of MySJU
Blackboard will be the preferred method of communication for class-related announcements, events, changes, etc. It
is the student’s responsibility to check Blackboard and his/her University email account regularly. Instructor is not
responsible for using email accounts other than the student’s assigned University account.
Laptop Use
Students are required to bring their laptops to class on the days listed on the syllabus, unless otherwise announced by
the instructor. Use of laptops in the classroom on any other day is not allowed.
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GRADING
Final course grade will be assigned based on the following scale. Please note that extra-credit work is not available
at any point during the term.
In-Class Exam 1
In-Class Exam 2
Final Exam
MS Office Assignments
- Four
- 75 points each
Individual Participation
TOTAL
200 points
200 points
200 points
300 points
100 points
1000 points
Class Attendance
Attendance will be taken during this course and students are expected to attend all classes and examinations as
scheduled. Absences totaling more than 3 sessions during the semester may result in an Administrative Failure grade
(FA). Occasionally, students will be required to attend presentations or lectures by guest speakers during Free
Periods. These also count towards course attendance and will not exceed three (3) during the term.
Final Grade Distribution
A
920-1000 points
A890-919
points
B+
860-889
points
B
830-859
points
B800-829
points
C+
C
CD
F
770-799
740-769
700-739
600-699
0-599
points
points
points
points
points
In-Class Participation Grading Scale *
100 points - Regular contributions
75 points - Frequent contributions
50 points - Occasional contributions
25 points - Rare contributions
10 points - No contributions made
1
point
- Disruptive classroom, computing, telephone behaviors
* In-between scores at instructor’s discretion
Make-up Exam Policy
Students are expected to be present for all in-class examinations as listed on the syllabus or announced by the
instructor. Missed exams will result in a grade of zero (0) points for that exam.
Make-up exams will be permitted only in case of valid, documented medical absences (family emergencies
included). Valid documentation of an absence must be requested through the Dean’s Office and presented to the
instructor in order to reschedule an exam. There will be no exceptions made to this policy.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a documented disability (learning, physical, psychological) for which you are or may be requesting
reasonable academic adjustments, you are encouraged to contact Services for Students with Disabilities, 113 Science
Center, 610-660-1774 or 610-660-1620 as early as possible in the semester.
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COURSE SCHEDULE ‡
DATE
Jan 18
Jan 20
Jan 25
Jan 27
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 22
Feb 24
Mar 1
Mar 3
Mar 8
Mar 10
Mar 15
Mar 17
Mar 22
Mar 24
Mar 29
Mar 31
Apr 5
Apr 7
Apr 12
Apr 14
Apr 19
Apr 21
Apr 26
Apr 28
TOPICS
Course Overview & Introduction
READINGS & ACTIVITIES
Chapters 0, 1, 12
Hardware
Chapter 2
Software
Chapters 4, 6.1 (pp. 218-219)
Exam 1
MS Office Basics (Word)
MS Office Basics (Excel)
Databases
MS Office Basics (Access)
Networking & Telecommunications
Spring Break – No Class
Chapter 5, GB-XP Chapter 1, PC
GB-XL Chapter 1, 3, 5, PC
Word assignment due
Chapters 7, 15
GB-AX Chapters 1-4, PC
Excel assignment due
Chapter 8
Networking & Telecommunications
Chapter 8
Internet Technologies
Chapter 9
Access assignment due
Chapter 13
Olsen (2004), Patton (2001), Sawhney (2002), Varon (2001)
eCommerce & eBusiness
Exam 2
MS Office Basics (PowerPoint)
Security & Risks
IT & Competitive Advantage
PC, GB-PPT Chapter 1, PC
Chapter 10
HowStuffWorks.com article, Kirkpatrick (2004)
Brynjolfsson & Hitt (1998)
HTML Tutorial
PC
IS in Business
Group Assignment Due
Key:
PC = Bring laptop to class (required)
GB = Grauer & Barber text where XP = Win XP; XL = Excel; AX = Access; PPT = PowerPoint)
Readings (links on Blackboard):
 Brynjolfsson, E., and Hitt, Lorin M. (1998). "Beyond the productivity paradox." Communications of the
ACM 41(8): 49-55.
 HowStuffWorks.com: “How Identity Theft Works.”
URL: http://ibs.howstuffworks.com/ibs/den/identity-theft.htm
 Olsen, S. (2004). "Exposing click fraud." C|Net News.com.
URL: http://news.com.com/Exposing+click+fraud/2100-1024_3-5273078.html
 Patton, S. (2001) "The ABCs of B2C.” CIO.com
URL: http://www.cio.com/ec/edit/b2cabc.html
 Sawhney, M. (2002) "Putting the Horse First," CIO.com
URL: http://www.cio.com/archive/051502/netgains.html
 Varon, E. (2001) "The ABCs of B2B." CIO.com
URL: http://www.cio.com/research/ec/edit/b2babc.html
‡
Contents and dates subject to change. Guest Speakers may be featured during the term, depending on availability
and appropriateness to the topics being discussed.
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