Information Systems
Fall 2008 - Assignments
Session 1: Introduction (Nov. 13)
Chapter 1: Introduction to Information Systems in Organizations
Chapter 2: Hardware and Software
Class Discussion Article
How Wall Street Lied to Its Computers
The Risk Fallacy
Note: The discussion article(s) will be discussed in the first 30 minutes of class and/or as group assignments during class.
Individual Assignment
IT Doesn’t Matter
Paper topic: The article "IT Doesn’t Matter” discusses information technology’s role in modern organizations. What is the author’s thesis and to what extent do you agree or disagree with it. To support your argument, use examples mentioned in the article as well as other examples from outside sources. Your paper should be 3-5 pages long, double-spaced.
(Note: There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to this question – papers agreeing and disagreeing with the thesis may be judged equally worthy).
Session 2: Data and Networks (Nov. 20)
Chapter 3: Organizing Data and Information
Chapter 4: Telecommunications, the Internet, Intranets, and Extranets
Class Discussion Article
Google’s Innovation Machine
Individual Assignment
Investing in the IT that Makes a Competitive Difference
Paper topic: The article "Investing in the IT that Makes a Competitive Difference” discusses hoe information technology can provide a competitive advantage for companies. What is the author’s thesis and contrast this with some of the ideas in the Nicholas Carr article. To what extent has IT provided a competitive advantage for your organization, and why has it done so? If IT has not provided such an advantage, why hasn’t it done so? Support your argument, use examples mentioned in the article as well as other examples from outside sources. Your paper should be 3-5 pages long, double-spaced.
(Note: There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to this question – papers agreeing and disagreeing with the thesis may be judged equally worthy).
Session 3: E-Commerce (Nov. 27)
No Class on Thanksgiving but view these two presentations on the Web:
MDE Video (Introduction) : The Six Webs, 10 Years On, Bill Joy
MDE Video (Business Models): The Impact of Web 2.0 and Emerging Social Network Models, World Economic Forum
Individual Assignment
The Myth of Secure Computing
Paper topic: The article “The Myth of Secure Computing” discusses digital security and states that risks cannot be eliminated but can be managed by following sound operating practices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this thesis, and why? In your paper select an organization (e.g., your company, Muhlenberg College, another organization with which you are familiar) and using concepts from the article and from outside sources, present an overall approach (in the context of the organization in question) for securing the organization’s information assets.
Session 4: E-Commerce and the Impact of Computers (Dec. 4)
Chapter 5: Electronic and Mobile Commerce and Enterprise Systems
Chapter 9: The Personal and Social Impact of Computers Listen to the following Web casts on the Digital Enterprise Web site:
Class Discussion Articles
Discuss the two videos assigned for Class 4
MDE: The Long Tail; Chris Anderson
Issues Discussion
Develop arguments pro and con regarding how information technology has revolutionized global business by providing the infrastructure for the dramatic increases in observed levels of productivity, quality, and service.
Individual Assignment
What Was Privacy
Paper topic: The article "What was Privacy” discusses how the concept of privacy has evolved as a function of emerging technologies, social frames of reference, and generational change. How has the concept of privacy changed under the emergence of the Internet and the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook? To what extent is there a discoonnect between people professing to be concerned about losses of privacy and the proclivity of some to post personal information on these web sites? To what extent do you see personal privacy being eroded in the future and what steps, if any, should be taken to ameliorate the situation? Support your argument with examples mentioned in the article as well as other examples from outside sources. Your paper should be 3-5 pages long, double-spaced.
(Note: There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to this question – papers agreeing and disagreeing with the thesis may be judged equally worthy).
Session 5: Team Presentations (Dec. 11)
Discussion Articles
Boss I Think Someone Stole Our Customer Data
Write-up of team case study is due
Team presentation of final project is due