Course Syllabus
Introduction to Information Technology – INFT111
Fall 2007 (updated
Course
Syllabus in Microsoft Word is available at: www.fineberg.com/INFT111/syllabus-IT111.doc
Instructor:
Jeff Fineberg
Email: st.fineberg.jeff@mail.bryantstratton.edu
Course URL:
www.fineberg.com/INFT111
Class Discussion Web: http://www.fineberg.com/inft111-discussion/
Course Time:
Monday / Wednesday
Course Location: Room A02–
Office hours: Room A02 or B02 – Monday / Wednesday
Biographical Information: I have 19 years of
professional IT experience. I have held
various positions including Software Development, Systems Administration,
Database Administration, Project Management and Teaching. I have worked on platforms including
Mainframe MVS, Unix, Linux and various flavors of Windows. Regarding formal education, I received a
Diploma in Data Processing from Bryant and Stratton in 1983, a Bachelors Degree
in “Music and Media Studies” from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and a
Masters Degree in Computer Science in 2004.
Course Description: This course is a survey on the application of
computer technology and its uses for the student – both personally and
professionally. We will cover a wide
scope of computer technology in order to gain an understanding of the many
areas that exist in computer technology.
This course also provides a great opportunity to think about some of the
areas you may be interested in pursing in this technical field. Additionally, an important goal of this
course is to help the student gain research techniques for finding information
and solving problems.
Course Outcomes: Understanding of computer concepts, career opportunities in IT,
hardware overview, computer history and architecture, use of computers, and
operating systems / system software.
Prerequisites: Computer Literacy Exam or completion of INFT100
Textbooks:
“Succeeding with Technology – 2nd edition” Ralph M. Stair / Kenneth
J. Baldauf (Thomson)
“Security Awareness: Applying
Practical Security in Your World – 2nd edition” Mark Ciampa (Thomson)
Interesting
Websites (picked by students and instructor)
Time
Management and Study Skills Resources
|
Class Date |
Topic(s) Discussed / Activities |
Assignments / |
|
Sep 12 |
Introductions and Course
Overview. Course Survey |
-
Read Chapter 1 |
|
Sep 17,19 |
Text: “Succeeding with Technology” Chapter 1 – Why Study
Computers? |
-
Read Chapter 1 |
|
Sep 24,26 |
Chapter 1 – Why Study
Computers? |
-
Read Chapter 2 -
Assignment from Chapter 1 -
Study for Test 1 –
Chapter 1 |
|
Oct 1,3 |
Chapter 2 – Hardware
Designed to Meet the Need Test 1 – covering Chapter 1 |
-
Read Chapter 3 -
|
|
Oct 10 **Off Oct
8-Columbus Day** |
Chapter 3 – Software Solutions for Personal and
Professional Gain
|
-
Read Chapter 3 -
Study for Test 2 –
Chapter 2 -
Assignment from Chapter 2 |
|
Oct 15,17 |
Chapter 3 – Software Solutions for Personal and
Professional Gain
Test 2 – covering Chapter 2
|
-
Read Chapter 4 |
|
Oct 22,24 |
Chapter 4 – The Internet and World Wide Web
|
-
Read Chapter 5 -
Assignment from Chapter 3 |
|
Oct 29,31 |
Chapter 5 –
Telecommunications, Wireless Technologies and Computer Networks |
-
Read Chapter 7 |
|
Nov 5,7 |
Chapter 7 – Database
Systems |
-
Assignment from Chapter 4, 7 (skipping 5) -
Read Chapter 8 and 9 |
|
Nov 12,14 |
Chapter 8 – E-Commerce Chapter 9 – Information,
Decision Support, Artificial Intelligence and Special-Purpose Systems |
-
Read Chapter 10 |
|
Nov 19,21 |
Chapter 10 – Systems
Development |
-
Read Chapter 11 and
12 -
Study for Test 3 –
Chapters 4, 7, 8 |
|
Nov 26,28 |
Chapter 11 – Computer
Crime and Information Security Chapter 12 – Digital
Society, Ethics, and Globalization Test 3 – covering Chapters 4, 7, 8 (not 5)
|
-
Read Chapter 1 of “Applying Practical Security in Your World” -
Assignment from Chapter 8, 9, 10 |
|
Dec 3, 5 |
Text: Security Awareness : Applying Practical
Security in Your World Chapter 1 – Introduction
to Security |
-
Read Chapter 2
of “Applying Practical Security in
Your World” |
|
Dec 10, 12 |
Chapter 2 – Desktop
Security |
-
Study for test 4 – Chapters 9, 10 and Chapters 1, 2 in the Security text. |
|
Dec 17, 19 |
Misc. Security topics
Chapter 6 – Digital Media for Work and Leisure
Course Conclusion
Test 4 (on Dec 17) – covering Chapters 9,
10 and Chapters 1, 2 in the Security text |
Read
further in the security text on your own, if you like. There are interesting topics in there. **Have a nice
break!!!** |
(Bold items in
schedule are of high importance)
The following parameters are
*generally* being used for grading assignments:
|
Grading Aspect |
Level 1: 5-10 points |
Level |
Level |
|
Organization |
Difficult to follow and
understand. |
Some aspects could use
further clarification. |
Easy to understand points
that were made. |
|
Accuracy |
Several inaccuracies were
found in the work. |
The work was generally
good, but at least one inaccuracy was found. |
All work was found to be
correct from the standpoint of accuracy. |
|
Completeness |
The work was not completed,
therefore the usefulness of it was low. |
There was at least one aspect
to the work that wasn’t completed. |
The work covered all the
required aspects and could be used in a ‘real world’ setting. |
|
Citing of sources |
Unpublished Source used
for the work. No Published sources
used. |
Published sources used
mainly, however there were some unpublished sources. |
All sources for the work
were from well-noted published sources. |
What is meant by the use of
the term *generally*? If there is a
deviance from this Rubric, it will be provided on the assignment.
Authentic assessment: Comprehension of the material will be assessed
through homework assignments and tests, using the following grading policy:
|
Tests |
40% (4 @ 10% each) |
|
Assignments |
35% (5 @ 7% each) |
|
Class participation
activities (contributing to discussions, participation, group work, etc) |
25% |
|
A |
90-100 |
|
B |
80-89 |
|
C |
70-79 |
|
F |
Below 70 |
Comments regarding grading criteria and material:
-
Tests are given to help
you gauge your understanding of the material.
They consist of material covered within the period since the previous Test. Since some material builds on previous
topics, therefore tests may be somewhat comprehensive. Advanced
arrangements must be made if a Test is to be missed (unless a documented
emergency exists).
-
Assignments are based
upon the material covered in class and from reading assignments.
Portfolio Inclusion – the written assignments and tests are both possible
candidates for your portfolio. It is
important that your work be well formatted for this purpose.
Critical Workplace Skills – this course will have an emphasis on persistence,
a sense of quality, problem solving, processing information (utilizing past
experience to enhance your knowledge – the ability to learn new information).
Lifelong Learning Competency Development – this course will help with the development of
lifelong learning through research and problem solving activities.
Make-up Policy / Late Work **WARNING – an absence
does not automatically give an extension to assignments!!!**
-
Assignments/Projects
not submitted in by the due date will be penalized by 20% per day. If a test or assignment is missed with no
advanced warning and a documented emergency exists, it will be the instructor’s
discretion as to whether or not a make-up test (or time extension) will be
allowed.
Incompletes:
under normal circumstances these are not given.
Where appropriate, any special cases need to be approved by the Dean’s
office.
Student Support Services (SSS): Specific blocks of time are set aside in the
morning, afternoon and evening when both students and instructors are
available. Please take advantage of this
valuable resource. I am available Monday
and Tuesday from
Class List by email: Periodically messages may be sent via email to
everyone in INFT111 regarding assignments, etc.
Also, please feel free to email me directly with any questions or
suggestions at: st.fineberg.jeff@mail.bryantstratton.edu
Attendance:
attending class is critical in order to gain an understanding of the material. In addition, there is material that you will
be responsible for that is covered only in class (in addition to the
text).
Class participation: This portion of your grade is composed of class
activity work, answering questions in class, suggesting useful / interesting
resources, URLs, etc.
Classroom Etiquette: please exercise good judgment during the class. Make sure that your cell phones aren’t set up
to ring. During class lecture,
conversations should involve the topics being discussed and should be shared
with the class. Also, it is the school
policy that food and drink should not be brought into the classroom.
Academic Integrity / Plagiarism: It is expected that each student perform their own
work. Any acts of plagiarism will be
dealt with according to the policy of Bryant and Stratton.