University of Maryland Baltimore County

Baltimore Maryland 21250

Information Systems Department

IS 434 “The Evolution of Modern Information Systems”

Spring 2011

Instructor: Tate Redding

Phone: (410) 455-3942

E-mail redding@umbc.edu

Web page http://www.umbc.edu/~redding

Course delivery site http://blackboard.umbc.edu

Office Hours: Posted weekly outside of ITE 414

Meeting Times: Fridays 9:00 am.- 11:30 am. See Schedule of Classes for room.

Textbooks: Tools for Thought: The History and Future of Mind-Expanding Technology by Howard Rheingold MIT Press ISBN 0-262-68115-3 

Course Description:

This course examines the impact of information systems on nearly every aspect of life in the United States and other countries. It traces the developments that have made this situation possible; especially those changes following the release of the personal computer and the rise of networking. Included are topics related to increasing reliance on information systems within the economic and social context of the "computer revolution".

This course provides a historical perspective on the evolution of computer based systems, it is not a systems development class.

Prerequisites: IS 300 or permission of the instructor.

Course Objectives: By the conclusion of this course the successful student should be able to:

1. Identify people, organizations and technologies involved with the history of modern information systems.

2. Prepare and present a case study combining all of the learned elements about information systems as applied to a historical event.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between the development of technology and its impact on organizations and individuals.

4. Apply historiographical methods by working on a group project as team leader or active team member

5. Use a presentation tool such as MS PowerPoint to aid in being able to demonstrate competence in giving oral presentations

6. Relate past events to current and future Information System development.

Instructional Methods: Discussion, Lectures, Group work and Presentations

Attendance and Participation:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students. In the case of absence due to emergency (illness, death in the family, accident), religious holiday, or participation in official College functions, it is the student's responsibility to confer with the instructor about the absence and missed course work.

Class Preparation: All of the reading assignments should be completed before the class in which the material is to be discussed. Additional information will be distributed regarding other assignments at the appropriate time.

Course Requirements:

Regular Punctual Attendance and Participation Class Assignments & Homework Reports Exams

Grading

Grade Apportionment:

Individual Project and Presentation 20%

Group Project and Presentation 10%

Classwork and Homework 10%

Tests 60%

Grading Philosophy and Detail:

Communication is a vital part of business, school and personal life. This term you will be required to write and present an individual report. The report will be an in-depth study of a person or company involved with the development of modern information systems. You will also be required to present your report to the class. Your grade will reflect both the thoroughness of your written work as well as the quality of your presentation. Your report subject must be approved by the instructor.

You will work as a member of a team to write and present an assigned group project case study of a technology or event. Your grade will reflect the quality of your written document and the group’s presentation. Students are also required to write a one to two-page self-assessment based on their group project answering the following questions:

1.      What were your roles and responsibilities on the group project? How were they decided?

2.      What did you learn about security by doing the group project?

3.      What did you learn about teamwork by doing the group project?

4.      What would you have done differently? What will you remember to do on the next project you work on after this experience?

5.      Briefly assess each team member’s performance. If you had to give them a grade, what would it be? If you had 100 points to allocate to your team, how would you allocate them?

There will be 2 tests which will cover all current assigned reading material, lectures and student presentations. The first test will count 40% of your semester grade the second test will constitute 20%.

During the semester there will be homework and classwork assignments covering the other 10% of your final grade. 

Grading Standards: IS instructors are expected to have exams and evaluations that result in a reasonable distribution of grades. With respect to final letter grades, the University's Undergraduate Catalogue states that, "A, indicates superior achievement; B, good performance; C, adequate performance; D, minimal performance; F, failure" There is specifically no mention of any numerical scores associated with these letter grades. Consequently, there are no pre-defined numerical demarcations that determine final letter grades. These numerical demarcations that determine final letter grades can only be defined at the end of the semester after all numerical grades have been earned. At that point, numerical demarcations for final letter grades can be defined such that final letter grades in this course conform to the University's officially published definitions of the respective letter grades. In accordance with the published University grading policy, it is important to understand that final letter grades reflect academic achievement and not effort. While mistakes in the arithmetic computation of grades and grade recording errors will always be corrected, it is important to understand that in all other situations final letter grades are not negotiable and challenges to final letter grades are not entertained. Final letter grades usually fall in the ranges of 100-91%=”A” , 90-81%=”B”, 70-80%=”C”.

Academic Integrity:

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabricating, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. Full policies on academic integrity should be available in the UMBC Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Directory.

Due Dates: All assignments are to be handed in by the due date. If an assignment is not in on time it may be accepted the following class with an accompanying reduction of 50% of the earned grade.

Make-up Policy:

Tests: No make-up tests except through arrangement with the instructor: and then for reasons deemed valid enough to warrant the making of a new, and potentially harder, test.

Inclement Weather: Any work or test due on a class date that has been canceled due to inclement weather will be due the next class meeting.

Schedule: Please note this is a tentative schedule and is subject to change for a variety of reasons. Also note below “TFT” refers to the “”Tools for Thought” text.