Assignment 1: The Apache Web Server
Assignment 2: Open Source
Assignment 3: ERD Deconstruction / Claim File Document
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TR, 12:30-1:45
SSS 203
Kelty, C.M. (2008). The Cultural Significance of Free Software, Duke University Press ($30 on Amazon)
Open Door Policy, 413 Schneider Hall: If I'm in (and I'm free), I'll help
In this course you are introduced to the complex issues design and development. This course is not intended to teach you more SQL or how to design a database with more tables. The course is not designed to teach you how to program. These are issues that will be discussed but the main focus of the class is to get you geared towards testing, deconstruction, and administration of information systems projects.
The course sets out the following six objectives:
(1) Identify and explain concepts of design and development.
(2) Illustrate and determine the impact of information systems on business activities.
(3) Apply a common project process to the development of systems.
(4) Deal directly with other human actors in the development of information systems.
(5) Use information technology to ethically solve problems and make decisions.
(6) Prepare and present finding in the development of information systems.
With respect the the University, these objectives achieve:
Appreciation of the University as a learning community
Ability to inquire, think, analyze
Ability to write, read, speak, listen
Understanding of science and the scientific methods
Understanding of values
Understanding of human behavior and human institutions
With respect to the College of Business, these objectives achieve:
Oral Communication
Written Communication
Responsibility of Business in Society
Ethical Leadership
Ethical Decision Making
Team Development
Team Process and Decision Making
Team Meetings
Technology Efficiencies
Technology Effectiveness
Technology Proficiency
The learning approach is based on the belief that learning is maximized when we already have an experience that
relates to what we are learning. We anchor new learning in past experiences. Key topics are revisited several times
through reading assignments, lectures, examples and demonstrations in class, individual exercises, examinations, and the team project.
Both individual and team effort are required in the course. Individual exercises give you a chance to practice your
technical skills and reinforce important aspects of systems integration. The individual research project gives graduate students a
chance listen to leaders on a topic you are especially interested in. The team project gives you in-depth practice in web
system integration methods and assists in further anchoring your knowledge to concrete experiences.
Obviously, to make a contribution, you must attend class. But there is more.
You are expected to prepare for and participate in class so you can be an ACTIVE participant. As
you know, this is the only way you really learn anything.
I don't take attendance, however, I reserve the right to question your ability to make it to class. If I question your ability to make it to class, you
will be asked to attend every class from there on out. We meet for less than three hours a week and if you continually miss class, your
grade will be affected. Also, if you miss class and then ask me for help on the material that you missed. FORGET IT!
Even though I don't take attendance per se, I do have eyes. Finally, disruptions in class are not acceptable. I'm not laying down a strict law but talking, mumbling, and falling asleep are very
disruptive to me and others around you. I may have to ask you to leave if it becomes a regular thing.
All work is expected to be completed by the dates outlined in the syllabus. Changes to due dates are announced in class or emailed to you. Except for unforeseen personal emergencies, late work will NOT be accepted without a significant deduction (10% per day). This is a strict policy Additionally, I will not continue to help with assignments that are late. In fairness to others, missing a scheduled exam results in a failure for that exam. Students with religious obligations which conflict with exam/assignment due dates must make any necessary arrangements with the instructor by the third week of class.
Any score is subject to appeal. However, score changes are at the discretion of me and may be up or down based upon a complete review of the work in question. Also, if you want to do comparative scores, fine. However, you must convince the person you are comparing with to come in with you. 50-50 chance your score will go up or theirs will go down. It is important to recognize that grading reflects another's judgment of one's work. In this sense, all grading is subjective. Appealing scores on exams and other assignments is discouraged. Changing a few points on an exam or assignment rarely makes a difference in a final grade. Time is much better spent discussing/clarifying the information content presented in the course. Ask for work to be re-graded only in cases of gross unfairness. I do try to be fair.
It is unfortunate that this subject needs to be mentioned; but to copy another's ideas or writing and pass them off as one's own, is plagiarism.
It is unethical and just plain wrong. Dishonest students suffer the risk of failing the course and being expelled from the University. Protect
yourself and others by explicitly citing original sources (web, books, professor, other students, etc.) for all quoted
or paraphrased material. During exams, make sure you keep your eyes on your own work, they are designed to measure your individual performance.
The Internet promotes the global sharing of ideas. We depend on this aspect of the net to learn and to give back
what we create. Do not fall into the trap of borrowing others' ideas, writing, and code without attributing proper credit.
This course covers business ethics in particular and ethics in IS more specifically. Ethics remains a critical issue to the success of organizations and it is important that you, as future employees, understand ethics at the corporate governance, leadership, personal, and societal levels. We will discuss ethics throughout the semester in the forms of privacy and intellectual property.
The software for the course are internet apps such as:
Browser
Email
Final letter grades are assigned by me and are based upon total score distribution at the end of the semester. No guarantees can be made in advance about the distribution of letter grades but in general, the A's run in the 90%'s, the B's in the 80%'s, the C's in the 70%'s, the D's in the 60%'s, etc. The total number of points available in the course is weighted approximately as follows:
Apache -- 30%
Linux -- 30%
ERD -- 30%
Participation -- 10%
Exercises
are intended to teach you techniques in dealing with technical issues in an everyday business setting. The following are
the assignments for the course:
This class is based very heavily around group work. This is not intended to be a simulation of what it
is like to work in a business setting. It is intended to help you understand your own strengths and weaknesses in working in
a group setting.