Syllabus
Course Description | Course
Objectives | Course Materials
Class Policies | Grading
Scale | Class List
Course Description
This course introduces the basic concepts
underlying systems analysis with a user-centered
design perspective. Modeling and other systems analysis techniques are discussed
and practiced.
Course Objectives
- Develop an understanding of the role of information systems
in modern organizations.
- Become familiar with a variety of information systems
analyses and problem-solving tools and approaches.
- Gain practical experience
with information systems analysis and design through class exercises and
homework practice.
Course Materials
Hoffer, J.A., George, J.F., & Valacich,
J.S. (2007). Modern Systems Analysis and Design, 5th edition. New
Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Additional readings listed on the schedule.
Class Policies
Attendance and Participation
- I will always be prepared for class and will start
class on time. If unforeseeable circumstances prevent this for any reason,
I will try to notify you beforehand.
- I expect
the same of you. Be prepared for class, be ready to start class on time,
and let me know if you won't be there. You must attend every class. Class
attendance is a part of your final grade.
- If you know in advance that you must miss a class, let me know in
advance (up until 24 hours before the class session).
- If you miss a
class session, unexpectedly, get in contact with me ASAP.
- Being prepared for class includes doing the reading assignments before
class starts so that you can ask questions and participate in class discussions
and exercises. You are responsible for understanding the content of
all the readings, even if we don't discuss them in class.
- You must participate in class discussions and exercises.
Learning from each other is especially important for an application-oriented
course. Extensive participation in class discussion and exercises will
be an essential element of your learning success on the subject of systems
analysis. Active involvement in learning increases what is remembered,
how well it is assimilated, and how the learning is used in new situations.
Class participation will be graded as part of your final grade.
- If there is
something you don't understand ask a question! If you don't want to
ask during class, post it to the class list, make an appointment with me,
or contact me by email.
- Laptops, PDAs, and similar devices should be used
only for class purposes. Unrelated activities such as reading email, IMing,
tweeting, surfing the web, or playing games are distracting and discourteous.
Use of electronic devices for purposes other than class will count against
your participation grade.
- Participation counts for a percentage of your final
grade, but there are many ways to participate. Quality of contributions
is more important than sheer quantity.
Assignments
- Assignments must be submitted by 11:30 am on the
day they are due.
- In fairness to students who turn in assignments on time, a late assignment
will be penalized 5% for every day it is late.
- No assignment submitted more than one week after the due date will be
accepted.
- These penalties will not apply to students
who know in advance that they will be submitting an assignment late and
let me know in advance. "In
advance" means up until 72 hours before the class session in which
the assignment is due.
- Start working on assignments well in advance of the due date. It is usually
a good idea to give yourself time to let your work sit for a bit, then come
back to review it. I take a dim view of questions that show you are starting
an assignment only 24 hours before it is due. Besides, what if I were unavailable
for consultation?
- All assignments should conform
to the Submission Instructions outlined
on the Assignments page.
- Pay attention to detail! Proofreading and
clarity of presentation are important for information professionals.
- For assignments containing models, I provide some additional
Guidelines.
Giving and receiving help
The Honor Code applies
in this class. It prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion
of assignments. The Instrument of Student Judicial
Governance gives examples of actions that constitute academic
dishonesty.
There are some specific guidelines for this class:
- You may give and receive assistance regarding the use of hardware and software.
- I encourage you to discuss issues raised in class or by the readings with each other. You may also ask your classmates for clarification of class notes.
- Individual home work assignments are to be done individually. You may consult the course readings, your notes, and even other print or web sources. (Keep in mind, however, that what you find in other sources may not be consistent with what I want you to do.) You may not consult your classmates or other people. All questions should be addressed to me.
Electronic devices in class
- You do not need to bring your laptop to every class. For the couple
of classes for which you do need your laptop, I will remind you in
advance.
- If you plan to use your laptop to take notes, be aware that I
often sketch diagrams on the board. You may want to bring paper and
a writing utensil so you can copy them quickly.
- Laptops, PDAs, and
similar devices should be used only for class purposes. Unrelated
activities such as reading email, IMing, surfing the web, or playing
games are distracting and discourteous. Use of electronic devices
for purposes other than class will count against your participation
grade.
- Please remember to turn off
your cellphone before class starts.
Grading scale
The purpose of grades is to identify degrees of mastery of subject
matter. Here is how I will relate grades to mastery:
| A |
Mastery of course content at the highest level of
attainment that can reasonably be expected of students. |
| B |
Strong performance demonstrating a high level of attainment for
a student. |
| C |
A totally acceptable performance demonstrating an adequate level
of attainment for a student. |
| D |
A marginal performance in the required exercises demonstrating
a minimal passing level of attainment for a student. |
| F |
For whatever reasons, an unacceptable performance. The F grade
indicates that the student's performance in the required exercises
has revealed almost no understanding of the course content. |
Semester grades will be computed as follows:
A = 94-100
A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89
B= 84-86
B- = 80-83
C+ = 77-79
C = 74-76
C- = 70-73
D+ = 67-69
D = 60-66
F = anything below 59
Class List
Please subscribe to the class list. Go to the
UNC Mailing Lists website.
Select "search for lists" in the User Tools
box. Enter the list name, inls382_001, in the search box. Click on the "subscribe" button,
and complete the form.
I will send out a test message or two the first
week of class. I will use the list to send out announcements. You can
use the list to ask questions of the class in general, to share helpful
hints about software, etc. To post to the list, you can send email to
inls382_001@listerv.unc.edu, or go to the list's webpage.
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