Gabelli School of Business
Fordham University
INSY 2301 – Information Systems – Spring 2024
SYLLABUS
Professor Jiaying Deng
E-mail : [email protected]
Office Hours on the 5th floor in Hughes Hall
Mondays, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, and by appointment on Zoom
Course Overview
The rapid advances in information technology (IT) of recent years have brought with them dramatic changes
in the way business organizations operate and compete. Information technology, for example, is generating
new products and services and transforming the world economy. Familiarity with information technology
and information systems (IS) has become indispensable to the leaders of today and tomorrow's
organizations.
This course builds on the material covered in INSY 2299. In that course, the focus was on understanding
the basic building blocks of information systems. This course will focus more on enterprise applications of
information technology, including, but not limited to, IT and business alignment, IT’s contribution in
defining new business models and new organizations, and IT’s role in achieving competitive advantage. In
addition, the course will enhance your skills in business analytics, with a strong focus on tools to build,
retrieve, and analyze business data. Upon completion of this course, you should
• Understand the strategic role of IT in defining and supporting the mission of the organization
• Appreciate the role of information systems in organizations, both in managing physical flows and
in performing managerial control and coordination
• Understand the role of information systems in creating new business models and new
organizational structures
• Understand the integrative role of technology in managing cross-functional business processes
• Understand the need to manage data and acquire hands-on experience using a database management
tool (MS Access) by building, retrieving, and analyzing data from complex databases
Course Requirements and Evaluation of Learning
Course grades will be based upon the following weights:
Access Tutorial Modules (3) 10%
Access Case Problems (2) 10%
Comprehensive Access Assignment 15%
Group Project 10%
Midterm Examination 20%
Final Examination 30%
Attendance and Participation 5%
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100%
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Microsoft Access Tutorial Modules, Case Problems, and Comprehensive Assignment
The three MS Access Tutorial Modules, two Access Cases, and the Comprehensive Access
Assignment must be submitted on time. The only acceptable excuse for late submission is the
student’s medical illness or family emergency properly documented by the Class Dean
(https://www.fordham.edu/info/20477/academic_advising). An unapproved late submission will
incur a 25% deduction of the received grade if received within one week of the due date. For
instance, if the student’s grade is 80 points, he/she will receive 60 points. After one week, the work
will NOT be accepted and no credit will be given.
Tutorial Modules #1, #2, and #3 are required and worth 2%, 4%, and 4% respectively. The Tutorial
Modules are found and submitted on MINDTAP via the Assignments tab in Blackboard.
MINDTAP grades each Tutorial Module based on 100 points. While this score will also appear in
Blackboard, the MINDTAP scores will be converted as follows in calculating your final grade:
MINDTAP SCORE Credit Awarded for Tutorial Module
>50 100% (2 or 4 points)
>=25 and <=50 50% (1 or 2 points)
< 25 0
If you view the MINDTAP site (not the Blackboard site), you may notice two entries for each
Tutorial Module. Do not be confused by this. The first entry is the actual Tutorial Module, with the
content, instructions, any necessary startup files, and upload location for the completed Tutorial
Module. The second provides just the content—that is, the page of the Tutorial Module without the
startup files or upload link. We provide this link for your convenience if you want to reference this
content, but you can also feel free to ignore it.
Cases A and B are worth 5% each. These cases and the Comprehensive Access Assignment are
found and submitted directly in Blackboard from the Assignments tab.
Important Note: You may submit each of the three Tutorial Modules to MINDTAP as many as
three times. If you submit more than once, your score will be the highest of your submissions. For
Cases A and B, and the Comprehensive Access Assignment, however, you may only submit the
assignment once for grading. If you submit any of these assignments multiple times, the most recent
submission prior to the time the assignment is due will be graded.
Group Project
Details of the Group Project will be announced in class.
Midterm and Final Examinations
The midterm and final exams will consist largely of multiple choice and true/false questions with
the possibility of some fill-ins, matching, and short-answer type questions. The exams will cover
material from all aspects of the class (lectures, demonstrations, hands-on computer skills,
discussions, readings, tutorials, handouts, and so forth). The final exam, and possibly the midterm,
will also include questions uniquely suited for Microsoft Access. More information on the specific
coverage of the midterm and final examinations will be provided prior to the exams.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As of now, the date and time of the final exam have not been
determined. The common date and time that will be assigned to this course could be
anytime during the final exam period. Consequently, you should not plan on leaving
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campus prior to the end of the final exam period and you should not book travel until
the date and time of the exam have been announced.
Attendance and Participation
You are expected to attend all classes, read the assigned materials for each class, and participate
actively in class sessions.
• Attendance and participation are crucial elements of the class. Do the assigned readings on
time so you will be prepared to discuss the material.
• Arrive on time for class, because arriving late disrupts the class. Frequently-late students
will lose a significant portion (if not all) of their attendance and participation grades.
Academic Integrity
Academic honesty is expected on all exams and assignments. Violations of academic integrity will
result in severe disciplinary action, as documented in the Gabelli School’s Academic Integrity
Policy. In particular, a student may receive no credit for an assignment or a failing grade for the
entire course.
AI Policy
Limited usage of generative AI tools may be allowed for specific assignments in this course,
enabling exploration of ideas, complex data analysis, and creative solution development when
explicitly permitted by the instructor. When using these tools, it is mandatory to clearly indicate
the sections of your work that were generated using them for proper attribution and transparency
and indicate the prompts and software versions that were used. It is critical to adhere to ethical
standards by refraining from activities like plagiarism or creating misleading content. Additional
guidelines or restrictions will be provided for specific assignments.
Required Software, Texts, and Materials
(1) You are required to have a personal computer with Microsoft Access 2019 or an up-to-date
version of Access 365. You will need to use this computer during class sessions and to complete the
tutorial modules and assignments.
For Apple MAC Users: There is no version of Microsoft Access for the MAC, but as a Gabelli student,
you have access to the Apporto Virtual Desktop, which will make your computer appear to be a
Windows PC with the appropriate version of Microsoft Access already installed.
Note: It is ESSENTIAL that you store all your work (for instance, databases) in the cloud (e.g., on
Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive) because files stored on your MAC (for instance, on the desktop
or in a folder) will disappear when your Apporto session ends (either because you exit Apporto or
Apporto crashes). Instructions will be provided for using the drive connector feature to link your
Apporto Desktop to your Google Drive and OneDrive accounts.
You can access the Apporto Desktop here: https://fordham.apporto.com/
If clicking on the link does not work on your computer, type the URL directly into your browser.
Alternative to Apporto (Mac Users): Alternatively, you can use Parallels Desktop for Mac. There is
a student edition available for $59 (https://www.parallels.com/landingpage/pd/education/). In addition,
you will need a Microsoft Windows 11 Home license to activate and use Windows. This license can
be purchased at the Microsoft Store for $139 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-
home/dg7gmgf0krt0).
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For Windows PC Users: A number of options exist for running Microsoft Access on your personal
laptop. These include downloading Office 2019 for free or subscribing to Microsoft Office 365, which
is free for Fordham students. Look for the Microsoft Office 365 channel at My.Fordham under “My
Apps” on your Student tab. You can also use the Apporto Desktop described above.
(2) Textbook: Gallaugher, John, Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology, v.
9.1, FlatWorld Knowledge (ISBN: 978-1-4533-4169-8), 2022. This book is available for purchase
online at this location (the page may reference INSY 2299 since this is the same book used for
Information Systems 1): https://students.flatworldknowledge.com/course/2602611
If you subscribed to a full-year license in the Fall, you are all set. Otherwise, go to this location to be
sure you order the correct version of the book. You will see a number of different options. We
recommend the “Downloadable Textbook with Online Access” option—it includes an online version,
a downloadable version, and an eTextbook version for eReaders, plus electronic study aids. You will
be able to print chapters you download.
You can also purchase a code for ordering the book online at the bookstore.
(3) MINDTAP from Cengage
We will be using tutorial modules from Cengage MINDTAP that are integrated into Blackboard. You must
have access to the appropriate MINDTAP materials to complete and submit the tutorial modules.
Purchasing the corresponding book will NOT be sufficient.
To register for this semester’s MINDTAP materials, go to our Blackboard page and on the MINDTAP Link
tab, click on the item, “INSY 2301”. Further instructions for registering can be found with that item on
Blackboard.
If you already subscribed to CENGAGE UNLIMITED in the Fall, your subscription would give you
access to the necessary MINDTAP materials at no additional charge even if your subscription was
for one semester (four months).
For anyone who did not purchase CENGAGE UNLIMITED in the Fall:
When you register for this semester’s MINDTAP materials, you will need to choose a payment
method based on the options that the Cengage website offers you. Subscriptions to CENGAGE
UNLIMITED or MINDTAP can also be purchased at the bookstore. Beware of sites that are selling
discounted Cengage Unlimited subscriptions. These sources are likely unauthorized sellers who
have acquired access codes illegally, and transactions with such sources may pose a risk to your
personal information.
Apple MAC Users:
The MINDTAP Microsoft Access Tutorial Modules will not run on a Mac so you MUST use the
Apporto desktop or Parallels (a) when you log into MINDTAP to access these assignments and (b)
when you use Microsoft Access to do the assignments. Because Apporto will not save your desktop
or files in file folders from one session to the next, BE SURE to save your work (databases and
other files) on Google Drive or OneDrive and NOT on the desktop or local folders.
Notes:
You will need MINDTAP (a) to access the content (text) of the tutorial modules, (b) to download
any needed startup files, and (c) to submit your assignments. Reading through the tutorials page-
by-page from the same screen you are using to do the tutorials in Access can be difficult. We
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recommend either having a second screen or second device to read from OR having a printed copy
of the tutorial modules. MINDTAP will allow you to print the tutorial modules 10 pages at a time.
(If you subscribed to CENGAGE UNLIMITED for two semesters in the Fall—not one semester as
most people did—or if you are subscribing this semester for the first time, you are also entitled to
a FREE hardcopy rental of the full set of tutorials (the entire book) for $7.99 (shipping and
handling). Any hardcopy book rental is due back by the end date of your CENGAGE UNLIMITED
subscription this semester.
You can download the free Cengage Mobile App to get your Cengage eTextbooks and study tools
on your phone or tablet. For working through the Tutorial Modules, we recommend having a device
with a screen that is not too small.
E-Mail
Students are expected to check their Fordham email and our Blackboard page regularly since these tools
may be used to make announcements or provide materials between class sessions.
Office of Disability Services
If you are a student with a documented disability and require academic accommodations for your courses,
you must register with the ODS office. Please contact them at (817-0655) or email
[email protected] to receive your accommodations.
Session-by-Session Course Schedule
To be prepared for class, you must read the assigned readings and watch any assigned videos listed below
before the sessions. It is likely that additional readings or videos will be assigned as the term progresses.
The Tutorial Modules are to be submitted on Cengage’s MINDTAP (accessed through the
Blackboard link). Cases A and B, the Comprehensive Access Assignment, and the Group Project are
to be submitted directly on Blackboard.
At the end of each Tutorial Module, there are several blue pages with "Review Assignments", "Case
Problems", "Lab Assignments", and "Internet Assignments". You are not required to do any of these unless
instructed otherwise. When you reach the last page prior to the blue pages, you have completed the Tutorial
Module and you can upload your database to MINDTAP. Make sure you have named your database as
instructed by MINDTAP.
You are required to bring a laptop computer with Microsoft Excel 2019, Microsoft Access 2019, and
a Web Browser to all class sessions beginning with our fifth class. Laptop use for anything other than
required class use is strictly prohibited.
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The following is subject to change. You are responsible for any changes that are announced.
Date Topic Preparation/Submission
1. (1/22/2024) Course Introduction
Read Gallaugher, Chapter 4 and be prepared to
2. (1/29/2024) IT and Strategy 1: Essentials
discuss the Zara case
IT and Strategy 2: Product/Market
3. (2/5/2024) Read Gallaugher, Chapter 2 and 3
Differentiation
Read Gallaugher, Sections 10.1 and 12.4
4. (2/12/2024) IT and Strategy 3: Conclusion Read Gallaugher, Chapter 7
Submit Tutorial Module #1 on MINDTAP
Read Gallaugher, Chapter 16
Database Management Systems 1 (DBMS
5. (2/20/2024)
1): Introduction
Submit Tutorial Module #2 on MINDTAP
6. (2/26/2024) DBMS 2: Creating Databases Submit Case A directly on Blackboard
7. (3/4/2024) Midterm Exam
8. (3/11/2024) DBMS 3: Retrieving Data Submit Tutorial Module #3 on MINDTAP
9. (3/18/2024) DBMS 4: Conclusion Submit Case B directly on Blackboard
10. (3/25/2024) No class: Spring Recess
11. (4/1/2024) No class: Easter Recess
12. (4/8/2024) Digital Business: Information Goods Read Gallaugher, Chapter 5
Read Gallaugher, Chapters 8 and 9
13. (4/15/2024) Digital Business: Network Effects
Submit Comprehensive Access Assignment
directly on Blackboard
Read Gallaugher, Chapters 16.7 and 16.8
Read Gallaugher, Chapter 12
14. (4/22/2024) IT-Driven Business Innovation 1
Watch “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix and
be prepared to discuss it in class
Read Gallaugher, Chapter 20
IT-Driven Business Innovation 2
15. (4/29/2024)
Submit Group Project directly on
Conclusion
Blackboard
Final Examination Date/Time: To Be Announced
