SYLLABUS
Course title and number
Term (e.g., Fall 200X)
Meeting times and location
CSCE489: Software Development, Globalization and Culture
Summer/Winter
During Summer/Winter Breaks, Mostly in visiting country abroad.
Example: During 2013: May 6-24 (May 6-12 at TAMU, 13-23 at Delhi,
Bangalore and Bhubaneswar in India).
Course Description and Prerequisites
Software development outsourcing model, execution and practices; multinational collaborative planning
for cost-effective software development; factors responsible towards the growth of software industries in
globalizations context; socio-cultural, economic and political climate influences in software development;
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above classification
Learning Outcomes or Course Objectives
Broaden students’ global perspective and deepen their critical and comparative thinking skills on
offshore software development and improve their knowledge on cost-effective software development.
Instructor Information
Name
Telephone number
Email address
Office hours
Office location
Rabi N Mahapatra
9798455787
rabi@cse.tamu.edu
MTWRF 4-5 PM
520B HRBB or at Visit sites abroad
Textbook and/or Resource Material
Resource material will be supplied by the instructor, referral websites and journals.
Grading Policies
Grading will be based on regular assignments, student presentation and final report. Students will
maintain a daily journal on their activities, experience and observations as part of their assignments.
Electronic submissions encouraged. The journal report will include topics on cultural sites, meeting
reports if any, and summary of experience on software development at various sites after visits.
Late assignments: 20% penalty per 24hrs late submission.
Attendance policy: University excused absences will be handled in accordance with the student rules
(see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07)
The daily journal, presentation and final report weigh 30%, 25% and 45% of the final grade respectively.
Grades: A 90 or above, B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69, F less than 60.
Course Topics, Calendar of Activities, Major Assignment Dates
Week
Topic
Required Reading
1
Types of software development and
competitiveness in global context
Assignments: Background studies on
specific travel areas and industries.
Due end of the week.
Websites instructed by the instructor
and handouts
2
(a) Software development outsourcing
model, execution and practices in
multi-national offshore centers;
Industry specific journals and web
information, and handouts from
industry partners.
(b) Perceive software development
activities under products, services and
consultancy in single and multiple
industry centers;
3
Assignments: (i) Daily journal writings,
due next day morning.
(ii) Presentation at the end of the
week.
(a) Experience multinational
collaborative planning for costeffective software development.
(b) Socio-cultural, economic and
political climate that influences a
career in software development
Journals from industries and
handouts.
Assignments: (i) Daily journal writings,
due next day morning.
(ii) Presentation at the end of the
week.
(iii) Final Report: Due at end of the
trip.
Other Pertinent Course Information
STUDENT EXPECTATION/ENGAGEMENTS
-Participation in all pre-trip and orientation classes scheduled prior to the trip semester/schedule.
-Complete readings and projects in the first week of the course.
-Gather information on various sites to be visited.
-Maintain a journal of observations and reflections during the trip.
-Read about software development activities in India and present it to the group during the trip or posttrip activities.
-Write a culmination/summary paper (10-15 pages) after the trip (submitted no later than one week after
the end of the course) summarizing cross-cultural experiences, observations and differences between
the travel country and USA and software industries.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for
reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an
accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For
additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu
Academic Integrity
For additional information please visit: http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu
Plagiarism is the passing of someone else's work as one's own, without giving the original author due
credit. Scholastic dishonesty will be treated very strictly as per Texas A&M University rules.
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”