Revised –8/27/20121

SYLLABUS

IS 101 - Introduction to Information Systems

Credits:Three (3)
Instructor:Gary Kimber

Classroom:HTC 139

Begin/End: August 28 to December 18 (no school on Thanksgiving Nov 22)

Day/Time:Tuesday / Thursday 4:00 to 5:15

Class Website:Produced in class

Office: No campus office
Phone: 738-2298 340-7315 (smartphone)
E-mail:
Textbook: Using Information Technology-Introductory

9th Edition - Williams / Sawyer

Site: ISBN: 978-0-07-733108-5

MHID:0-07-733108-7

Software:Microsoft Office 2010 Suite, Web Downloads, Webs.com

Classmarker.com (quizzes and testing site)

Prerequisite:Will need a Google account to complete Google apps.

Course description:

Information Systems 101 - Introduction to computer-based information systems management including hardware/software relationships, business applications usage, systems theory, current technology, networking, the Internet, computer security, and privacy concerns.

Welcome to IS 101

Introductionto Computer Information Systems

This course covers essential computer technology and is designed to meet the GBC General Education technology requirement. We will cover computer hardware, major applications, systems theory, application development, emerging technologies, security, ethical, and privacy issues. This course should help you develop a strong understanding of computers and the role they play in the business environment and society at large. IS 201 is a recommended companion to this class. This class is a riveting combination of discussion but includes significant hands on component. Three of the more significant assignments include a written report, an oral presentation and a personal website.

All other assignment due dates will be noted when the assignments are given. Additional time outside of class will be needed to complete assignments. To complete assignments students may use any open GBC computer lab or, if available, their own computer and appropriate software.

The Williams, Using Information Technology, 9e, utilizes a practical, applied approach to technology. This text is user-focused and has been highly updated including topics, pictures, and examples. The Williams text contains less theory and more application to engage students who might be more familiar with technology. Continually published and updated for over fifteen years, Using Information Technology was the first text to foresee and define the impact of digital convergence—the fusion of computers and communications. It was also the first text to acknowledge the new priorities imposed by the Internet and World Wide Web and brings discussion of them from late in the course to the beginning. Today, it is directed toward the “Always On” generation that is at ease with digital technology—comfortable with iPhones, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, and the blogosphere—but not always savvy about its processes, possibilities, and liabilities. This ninth edition continues to address the two most significant challenges that instructors face in teaching this course:

• Trying to make the course interesting and challenging, and

• Trying to teach to students with a variety of computer backgrounds.

In addition, this text correlates with Simnet Online for full integration of resources within the Computing Concepts course.

The schedule of reading assignments, homework and tests is found below. Additional assignments will be given verbally or as class handouts.

MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF IS 101

The primary objective for this class is to provide students with a working knowledge of technology, primarily computers, as used in modern society. To this end, the essentials of both computer hardware and software use in the workplace will be covered. Appropriate uses and common misuses of this seemingly omnipresent tool will be discussed. Some of the topics to be covered in this class include:

  • How computers can augment and enhance many traditional human activities, but rarely, if ever, replace such activities;
  • Computers and networks as communications medium, e.g. Websites.
  • Enhancing both quantitative and qualitative information analysis, e.g. information systems are useful for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data but only if the assumptions behind the data are understood and the formulas used in their correlation are accurate;
  • Understanding the complex relationships between computer hardware and software;
  • Ethics and confidentiality when collecting, analyzing, and using personal information, e.g. database use and privacy issues;
  • Intellectual property rights, e.g. patent, copyright and fair use doctrine;
  • Health ramifications of computer use, e.g. carpel tunnel syndrome, eye strain, and possibly long term problems;
  • List and define computer technology related careers and career requirements

Grading Policy

Letter grades will be determined using a standard percentage point evaluation as outlined below. A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% or less or W=Official Withdrawal if done before the withdrawal deadline. GBC grading policies will be enforced. For additional information, see:

All assignments are due by the beginning of the next class unless otherwise indicated by the instructor when they are assigned.The instructor must agree in advance to any excused absences unless there are strong extenuating circumstances. The code of conduct stated in The Rules and Disciplinary Procedures for Members of the University Community will be enforced.

Source of Points
# of Assignments / Category Name / Points / Available Points
14 / Engagement Exercise / 25 / 350
7 / Chapter Quiz / 100 / 700
1 / Final Exam / 350 / 250
1 / Midterm Paper / 300 / 300
1 / Student Presentation / 100 / 200
1 / Coding Exercise / 100 / 100
32 / Attendance / 3.125 / 100
Total Points Available / 2000

*Instructor will provide a grade report with updated scores on a regular basis.

Learning Outcome / Measurement
Illustrate the relationships between computer hardware, applications, operating systems, platforms, corporations, etc. / Multiple assessments and read write worksheets during the semester.
Create basic data presentation and analysis constructs using essential computer software tools. / Student presentation during the semester. Student website presented at the end of the semester.
Demonstrate the use of and critically evaluate electronic data and the Internet as information resources / Student will prepare a written report with supporting data and resources.
Discuss ethical and privacy issues relating to computer use in the business environment / Students will use codeacademy.com and other coding websites in order to learn how computer code actually works.
Learn the relationship between the Internet and the World Wide Web. / Student presentation must include application of web base technology.
Microsoft Word / Successful completion of final paper.
Microsoft Excel / Successful completion of excel document.
Microsoft PowerPoint / Successful completion of final presentation and weekly assignments.
Microsoft Access / Successful completion of access database.
Google Productivity Software / Successful use of Google Apps.

Course Schedule- Tentative

# / Date / Chapter Topics / Assignments
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
Your Digital World
1 / August 28 / Chapter 1Introduction to IT / Engagement 1
2 / August 30 / Chapter 1 Introduction to IT / Engagement 2
3 / September 4 / Chapter 1 Introduction to IT
4 / September 6 / Chapter 1 Introduction to IT / Online Quiz 1
Chapter 2 THE INTERNET & THE WORLD WIDE WEB:
Exploring Cyberspace
5 / September 11 / Chapter 2-The Internet and WWW / Engagement 3
6 / September 13 / Chapter 2-The Internet and WWW / Engagement 4
7 / September 18 / Chapter 2-The Internet and WWW
8 / September 20 / Chapter 2-The Internet and WWW / Online Quiz 2
Chapter 3 SOFTWARE:
Tools for Productivity & Creativity
9 / September 25 / Chapter 3-Software / Engagement 5
10 / September 27 / Chapter 3-Software / Engagement 6
11 / October 2 / Chapter 3-Software
12 / October 4 / Chapter 3-Software / Online Quiz 3
Chapter 4: HARDWARE: THE CPU & STORAGE:
How to Choose a Multimedia Computer System
13 / October 9 / Chapter 4-Hardware: CPU and Storage / Engagement 7
14 / October 11 / Chapter 4-Hardware: CPU and Storage / Engagement 8
15 / October 16 / Chapter 4-Hardware: CPU and Storage
16 / October 18 / Chapter 4-Hardware: CPU and Storage / Online Quiz 4
Chapter 5: HARDWARE: INPUT & OUTPUT:
Taking Charge of Computing & Communications
17 / October 23 / Chapter 5-Hardware: Input & Output / Engagement 9
18 / October 25 / Chapter 5-Hardware: Input & Output / Engagement 10
19 / October 30 / Chapter 5-Hardware: Input & Output
Chapter 6: COMMUNICATIONS, NETWORKS, & SAFEGUARDS:
The Wired & Wireless World
20 / November 1 / Chapter 5-Hardware: Input & Output / Online Quiz 5
21 / November 6 / Chapter 5-Hardware: Input & Output
22 / November 8 / Chapter 6- Wired and Wireless World / Engagement 11
23 / November 13 / Chapter 6- Wired and Wireless World / Engagement 12
Chapter 7: PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY:
The Future Is You
24 / November 15 / Chapter 6- Wired and Wireless World / Paper due
25 / November 20 / Chapter 6- Wired and Wireless World / Online Quiz 6
November 22 Thanksgiving Holiday
26 / November 27 / Chapter 7-Personal Technology / Engagement 13
27 / November 29 / Chapter 7-Personal Technology / Engagement 14
28 / December 4 / Student presentations / Website Due
29 / December 6 / Student presentations / Online Quiz 7
30 / December 11 / Final Test – Comprehensive
31 / December 14 / Final grades posted

This syllabus is neither a contract nor a legal document.

It is an outline of a course of study for IS 101 that may be changed by the instructor at any time.