BA378: Accounting Information Management Syllabus

Winter 2006

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Catalog Description: Introduce students to the field of information management. Topics include information systems technology, the strategic role of IT, the business applications of networks, databases and Internet technologies, the system life cycle model, systems analysis and design methodologies, and the development and implementation of information systems. PREREQ: BA 213, BA 271, BA 275 and junior standing.

BA 378 is a four unit course.

Informally: The rapid evolution and diffusion of information technology (IT) is transforming businesses and managed organizations. In most organizations today, IT systems are crucial for daily operations. These systems are facing new threats and new regulations. To be successful in the "information age," organizations need people who are knowledgeable about the operation and implementation of IT-based business applications. The BA 378 course has been designed to introduce accounting students to the information systems field. The lectures, readings, and assignments will introduce a number of key concepts and timely issues related to Accounting Information System applications in organizations. Specific topics to be addressed include (among other topics): information systems technology, the business applications of networks and databases, the development of accounting information systems, the implementation of systems, IT Governance, and appropriate internal control environments for IT-based business applications. In addition to the lecture and reading material, students will apply the techniques we cover in an integrated group project.

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COURSE MATERIALS Accounting Information Systems: A Business Process Approach, 2nd Ed., Jones, Fredrick & Rama, Dasaratha --- Packaged with Peachtree Accounting Software ISBN: 0-324-43386-7 Thomson South-Western The book alone would be: ISBN: 0-324-30161-8 Thomson South-Western Some course material will be available in Blackboard. Return to Contents

Student Companion Site

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course will address the following College of Business Learning Outcomes

• College of Business Specific Learning Outcomes
  • Each student must understand and be able to use team building, collaborative behaviors and project management in the accomplishment of group tasks.
  • Each student shall demonstrate information technology skills as they apply to today’s business environment.
  • Each student shall be able to converse and to write at an acceptable level for business communications in English.
• Accounting Option Specific Learning Outcomes
  • Each student shall be able to apply accounting concepts, principles, standards, and processes.
  • Each student shall demonstrate information technology skills as they apply to today’s business environment to solve business problems and to communicate those solutions.
  • Each student must demonstrate analytical skills through finding, organizing, assessing, and analyzing data appropriate to a given situation.
  • Each student shall be able to impart the knowledge and skills listed above to provide insightful advisory judgments and recommendations regarding the accounting for and the business implications of events, conditions, circumstances, and transactions that give rise to business opportunities or problems. 
  • Each student must demonstrate strong organizational skills and a capacity for responsive and timely work.

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STUDENT EVALUATION

Student evaluation will consist of two related areas--the understanding of basic concepts and the ability to apply tools and techniques. Students will demonstrate their understanding of concepts by participating in classroom discussions and completing written assignments, quizzes, and examinations. Students will demonstrate their ability to apply tools through completing assignments and projects.

Group Work: Students will organize into five-member groups. Group work is critical for business success, especially in public accounting and information systems development. Industry representatives repeatedly stress the importance of these experiences. Students will be encouraged to work as a team to analyze and depict a business process using the tools we explore in class, and each team will prepare a white paper and a presentation on an important information technology. (See Initial Work Plan, Group Presentation Description, and Group Project Description.) Every student will analyze, every student will present. Material from group work will also show up on examinations.

Participation, Assignments, and Quizzes:

• Participation scores will be evaluated based on the quality of each individual’s contribution to the classroom lecture/discussion and classroom conduct.
  • Attendance makes very little direct impact on the participation score.
  • Contribution to Discussion: All business students need to demonstrate that they can meaningfully contribute in group discussions. If an individual comes to class every day, is polite, but does not make a strong attempt to participate in class discussion, then that individual will earn low credit for class contribution (60% of contribution points). Individuals who contribute occasionally (i.e., every week or so), but do not do much to advance the discussion will earn a somewhat higher grade (70-80%). Individuals who consistently contribute to the classroom discussions and advance discussions in a meaningful and productive way will receive the highest grades (90-100%).
  • Cold-Calls: Students may be called upon in class to demonstrate a basic understanding of the assigned readings.
  Participation scores can be subjective. I will let you know how I think you are doing about the middle of the term so you can talk with me and adjust.
• Assignments: There will be several assignments during the term. They call upon you to explore the material.
  • Homework assignments will be scheduled in advance.
  • In-class assignments may be assigned throughout the term, and must be submitted immediately after the class session to receive credit.
• Quizzes may be given during the term. Quizzes will be given during class, and are usually discussed immediately after completion. Individuals not in class will not be allowed to make up the quiz once it is discussed in class. Quizzes will be based upon the assigned chapters and assignments.

• The midterm exam is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 7th
• The final exam for Section 1, TuTh 12:00 class is scheduled for Wednesday March 22, at 6:00pm
• The final exam for Section 2, TuTh 4:00 class is scheduled for Tuesday March 21, at 9:30am

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SELF-MANAGED TEAMS

• Teams should be formed prior to the 3rd class meeting.
• Ideally, all teams would have 5 people. Some may have 4 or 6. We will balance it out as needed.
• Only the team project and team presentation are to be done by the team. Other assignments are individual assignments. You can discuss the assignments but everyone must do their own work. (Your hands on the keyboard, you create your own answer.)
• Please carefully review the rules in the group assignment descriptions. To help facilitate a positive experience, one part of the group project is assigned to each student first. It doesn't matter whose ideas win out in the end, but each student should struggle through a draft of the charts for themselves. It is the only way to learn about diagrams. In the unlikely event that a student does not make a good-faith effort on this part of the project, a 2% final-grade penalty will be assessed.
• Students will also be asked to fill out two (a mid-term and a final) team member participation surveys. These confidential surveys will only be considered in the unlikely event that a team has a serious problem. I reserve the right to assign lower individual grades to under-performing students.

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GRADED DISCUSSIONS

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COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty Policy:

• Individuals are encouraged to discuss the projects and assignments outside of class and share ideas.  However, unless specified as a team assignment, each person must individually complete and submit his/her own work.  The submission of work to be graded which is not your own will be considered a violation of the rules of academic honesty and will be dealt with in accordance with University regulations (see http://www.orst.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm).  Possible penalties include, but are not limited to, a failing grade for the work in question, a failing grade for the course, and/or suspension from the College or University.

Behavior in Class:

• Behavior in class should be professional at all times. The atmosphere within the classroom should be the same as you might expect in a casual business meeting.  People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive.  Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated and may be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

Accommodations:

• Students who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know of, who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, or students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term. If additional assistance is required the student should contact the Office of Disability Services.
  This statement is gladly included in cooperation with University policy: "Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSD immediately at 737-4098."

Discrimination or Harassment:

• Discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated in the classroom. Most cases of discrimination or harassment violate Federal and State laws and University Policies and Regulations. Intentional discrimination or harassment will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office and dealt with in accordance with the appropriate rules and regulations.
• Unintentional discrimination or harassment is just as damaging to the offended party, but it usually results from people not understanding the impact of their remarks or actions on others, or an insensitivity to the feelings of others. We must all strive to work together to create a positive learning environment. This means that each individual should be sensitive to the feelings of others and tolerant of the remarks and actions of others. If you find the remarks and actions of another individual offensive, please bring it to their attention. If you believe those remarks and actions constitute intentional discrimination or harassment, please bring it to your instructor's attention.

Arbitration:

• There will be a one-week arbitration period after graded items (projects, assignments, etc.) are returned.   Within that one-week period, you are encouraged to discuss any assumptions and/or misinterpretations that you made on the activity that may have influenced your grade.

Attendance:

• If you are unable to attend a class session, it is your responsibility to acquire the class notes, assignments, announcements, etc. from a classmate. The instructor will not give private lectures for those that miss class.  Missing announcements in class does not constitute a valid excuse for missing a course milestone.

Submission of Deliverables:

• Your performance in this course will depend on your ability to meet established milestones (that is, submit your work on time).  If you have a legitimate personal emergency (e.g., health problem) that may impair your ability to turn in an assignment on time, you will be expected to take the initiative to contact the professor before the due date/time (or as soon after your emergency as possible) to communicate the situation.

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