MGMT 342/642, Special Topics in Information Systems

Prerequisite: none

Last updated Feb 2002


General Description of "Topics Course"

Actual Topic for Spring 2002

I. GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES

There are several broad goals for this course. These goals apply to situations students are likely to encounter during their careers, which will inevitably involve information systems in one way or another. Specific objects of this course include the following: 1) To explore and debate critical issues related to managing and administering information systems. 2) Investigate the overall information needs of an organization and the role of information systems in providing these needs. 3) Examine alternative ways to match the information systems function to the structure and behavior of the organization. This course complements the broad perspective presented in MGMT 240 with a more detailed focus on a single selected topic.

II. DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER

The rate of change in information systems and information technology is so great that by the time organizations are able to fully adopt a particular development (for example, client-server technology), a new technology paradigm (such as Internet computing) emerges to replace the previous one. This course introduces issues central to how organizations manage their information systems. Managing this resource has become vastly more complex and crucial for several reasons: 1) Information technology is now a strategic asset that is being used to mold competitive strategies and change organizational processes, 2) The situations in which organizations are applying information technology have increased in complexity, including greater emphasis upon interorganizational environments, 3) The capabilities of information technology and the complexities of using the technologies are growing at an accelerating rate, and 4) As information technology and its uses become more complex, developing strategies and systems to leverage information systems is becoming increasingly difficult.

Where MGMT 240, Introduction to Information Systems, provides a very broad overview of many different topics in information systems, this course will select one on these topics and explore it in much greater detail. Potential topics for this course include Management of Information Systems, Group Support Systems, Electronic-Commerce, Analysis and Design of Information Systems, and Human Computer Interaction. Heavy emphasis is placed on interactive group discussions and projects that revolve around the implications of using information systems. May be repeated for credit under different topics.

III. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION AND STUDY

This course contains a mix of lecture and discussion classes that focus on the topics indicated above. Lecture notes are provided in Power Point format on the course web page. Topics will involve exploration of one or more case studies that help students understand how the particular concepts presented in the lecture are actually applied in the business environment and supported with information systems.

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SOURCES

Materials will vary depending upon the specific topic selected each time the course is offered. At a minimum, there will be a course textbook that will be supplemented with news articles and research papers from scholarly journals that reflect how the concepts from the chose topic apply to industry. A heavy emphasis is placed on case study.


MGMT 342/642, Management of Information Systems, Spring 2002

Prerequisite:
MGMT 240, Introduction to Information Systems

I. GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES

Same as outlined above in the general description of MGMT342

II. DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER

Topics that will be addressed in this class are likely to include: Management's Leadership Role with Information Systems, Information Systems Planning, Distributed Systems Architecture, Managing Information Resources, Managing Information Systems Operations, Managing Information Systems Development, Managing the Human Side of Systems.

III. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION AND STUDY

Same as outlined above in the general description of MGMT342

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SOURCES

Materials will vary depending upon the specific topic selected each time the course is offered. At a minimum, there will be a course textbook that will be supplemented with news articles and research papers from scholarly journals that reflect how the concepts from the chose topic apply to industry. A heavy emphasis is placed on case study.