Accredited
by AACSB-International
IS 467 - Topics in Enterprise and/or Strategic
Information Systems
Spring, 2011
Catalog
Description: Topics in Enterprise and/or Strategic
Information Systems (IS 467). (3
credits) Topics include the study of theoretic and practical
issues related to enterprise and/or strategic information systems in
contemporary organizations with a focus on integration of information and
organizational forms and processes across functional areas using unified
systems. The specific topic this
semester is Strategic Information Systems.
Instructor:
Office: Stipes Hall 431F, (309) 298-1305, email: LL-Andrew@wiu.edu
web page:
http://faculty.wiu.edu/LL-Andrew
Office Hours: M, W, F:
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM; T, H: 11:30 AM
– 12:20 PM; Or by appointment.
Classes: Section 200 – T, H: 12:30 – 1:45 PM; Stipes Hall 207
Section TQ1 – T, H: 12:30 – 1:45 PM; QC – B17
Required Textbook: (none).
Handouts: to be distributed in class or through the
computer network.
Additional Required
Materials: Jump
Drives, CD-RWs, or Floppy Disks as required.
Prerequisites: IS 341 and IS 342.
Course Description: This course
provides an introduction to Strategic Information Systems (SIS) and the use of
information systems for strategic purposes.
SIS are not used for the normal day-to-day operations of a firm (as
computer-based information systems), but rather define, shape, and support the
strategic focus and competitive advantage of an organization. This course consists primarily of class discussions
and case write-ups that will give the student an understanding of SIS and how
they can be used in organizations to significantly change the direction of the
organization by increasing a competitive advantage (or decreasing a competitive
disadvantage).
Course Objectives:
·
Develop a functional
understanding of strategic information systems and their uses.
·
Develop an understanding of
competitive advantage in an organization.
·
Develop conceptual skills for
using an information system to elicit the benefits of competitive advantage.
·
To understand the significance and
importance of strategic information systems.
Policies: The primary sources of information will be the assigned online readings. Other sources may include video presentations, guest speakers, library reserve works, or other ancillary material. Discussions and lectures will cover the main topics, but students will be responsible for all material covered and assigned in class. All assignments must be completed using a computer, should be free of grammatical and mechanical errors, and measure up to standards which would be acceptable in a business office. Keep in mind that computer equipment fails when you need it most; start early, and don’t expect to print out your assignment minutes before it is due. All assignments are to be appropriately double spaced, stapled (diagonally in the upper left corner), or placed in a cover.
Note: The instructor reserves the right to make
exceptions and changes to ALL parts of this syllabus on a class-wide or
case-by-case basis with notice to students during regularly scheduled class
meetings. Please speak to the instructor
during office hours if you believe you need an exception made to a policy
identified in this syllabus.
Note on Cell Phones and wireless
devices: Cell Phones and other
audible devices MUST BE turned OFF, or set to Silent or to Vibrate during class. Students may NOT text, email, surf the Web,
or otherwise use such devices during the class period. Any student violating this policy will be ejected
from the classroom for the class period and will receive an unexcused absence
for that day. Multiple violations will
require meeting with the department chair, the dean, or other university
officials before returning to the classroom.
Attendance:
(see Attendance link at:) http://faculty.wiu.edu/LL-Andrew
Attendance
is an important part of college classes and is required for all class
sessions. No provision is made for
absences or late assignments. If you
must be absent you should notify the instructor before the beginning of class. Unexcused absences always result in no credit
for that day’s work in class, including tests, quizzes, and homework. Requests for an excused absence should be
made in writing prior to the incurred absence and should be accompanied by
appropriate supporting documentation.
Students are responsible for all material assigned or discussed in
class, and the student carries the responsibility to obtain class notes and
other materials or assignments presented during an absence. Attendance in class and taking the tests will
not guarantee the best grade. Each
student will be evaluated based on punctuality, preparedness, and meaningful
participation in class activity and positive contribution to a classroom
experience that is conducive to learning.
Classroom etiquette requires you come to class on time, remain until
class ends, and not maintain a conversation while the instructor or another
student is speaking. If you must leave
early, please do so without disrupting the class.
Attendance
is taken daily and tardiness is recorded as an unexcused absence. Therefore, if you are in your seat when roll
is taken, you are counted present; otherwise, you are counted absent. [Note:
Keep in mind that at least you will get the benefit of hearing the
material presented by attending class even
though your tardiness counts against you for attendance purposes.]
Class Discussions: The primary source of information for this
class will be the assigned online readings, which will be used for daily class
discussion. This is NOT a lecture
course, but a course designed to force the student to become familiar with the
material and discuss that material substantively in class each
day. Each student will be evaluated
daily by the instructor as to whether the student has contributed substantively
to the class discussion for the day and will be graded daily accordingly. These evaluations by the instructor are quite
subjective, are intended to force each student to attend class fully prepared
to offer substantive discussion for the day’s cases, and to offer opinions and
support for those opinions (which may require outside reading to lend support).
These evaluations are subject to nobody
other than the instructor. Students will
receive ‘Acceptable’ or ‘Not Acceptable’ daily for their contributions to class
discussion. This puts the onus (defined
at dictionary.com as ‘disagreeable obligation, burden, responsibility’)
entirely upon the student to contribute daily, to contribute often and continually,
and to contribute significantly to each day’s discussion. Again, this is NOT a lecture course, but a
course where the student learns through immersion in the subject matter and
taking the time to THINK about that material.
Case Write-ups: An assigned case write-up will be due at the
beginning of class each day, ‘beginning of class’ defined as the official
starting time for the class. Late
submissions will not be accepted and will receive no credit. Case write-ups will be two pages in length,
one-inch margins all around, single-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman is
preferred). They should address the
major issues of the case in terms of SIS and the student’s opinion of how the
case relates to use of SIS (pro and con).
Students will receive ‘Acceptable’ or ‘Not Acceptable’ daily for their
case write-ups. If a student intends to
be absent, that day’s printed case write-up must be placed in the instructor’s
mailbox prior to class start time – email of case write-ups will not be
accepted.
Time Requirements: You will need to study/prepare every day
since we move quickly through the assigned topics. A rule of thumb for college level classes is
2-3 hours outside of class in preparation for every hour in class. It is much easier to fall behind than to
catch up. Planning this time is your
responsibility.
Academic Dishonesty
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students are expected to complete their own assignments and submit their own work, and will be held responsible for their actions. Discipline will be enforced according to the regulations set forth in the Western Illinois University Undergraduate Catalog.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: http://www.wiu.edu/provost/student/
New Drop Policy: Course
Withdrawal Policy: http://www.wiu.edu/users/policies/
Grading Standards (subject to
change with notice):
Components
of Grade:
Class Discussion 75%
Case Write-ups 25%
Here is an example of how
to compute your course PERCENTAGE (assuming each of the above components
is worth 100 points):
Your score on each of the above 2 items
is 85 and 90, respectively. Your overall
course percentage is:
{(85 * .75) + (90 * .25)} = {(63.75) +
(22.50)} = 86.25%
Your course grade,
corresponding to 86.25% (using the table below) is B+.
Grading Scale:
|
PERCENTAGE |
GRADE |
PERCENTAGE |
GRADE |
|
>=90 |
A |
>=70
AND <74 |
C |
|
>=87
AND <90 |
A- |
>=67
AND <70 |
C- |
|
>=84
AND <87 |
B+ |
>=64
AND <67 |
D+ |
|
>=80
AND <84 |
B |
>=60
AND <64 |
D |
|
>=77
AND <80 |
B- |
>=57
AND <60 |
D- |
|
>=74
AND <77 |
C+ |
LESS
THAN 57 |
F |
Tentative Course Outline (subject to change)
Week Topic
1 Introduction
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16