COURSE SYLLABUS

IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Course Overview:

Semester: Fall 2024

Class Time/Location: M/W 10:35 – 11:30 a.m.; Grant Auditorium

Instructor:

Jeff Rubin; jhrubin@syr.edu; @jhrubin (X); Office hours by Appointment in 327 Hinds

Recitation Leads / Assistants: Email Address

Adediwura Ayo-Aderele aoayoade@syr.edu

Lauren Hardee-Chase (Lead) ljhardee@syr.edu
Shashank Guda shguda@syr.edu
Andrew Hanrahan alhanrah@syr.edu
Randy Wenner awenner@syr.edu

Recitation Location: 010/013 Hinds Hall

Course Description:

State-of-the-art technologies in the field; Computer architectures, telecommunication

networks, software design and application; Issues in information management and technology
use.

Additional Course Description

The information age has arrived in a rush: Everyone in the U.S. has a computer or can use one
at the public library. I can email, text, Tweet (X), Facebook message, Snapchat, Zoom, or even
send a TikTok to my boss, friends, and family anytime I like from about any point on the globe. I
can buy groceries, a car, or a house online using cryptocurrency. I can find a job or a spouse
using social networking tools. I could (but did not) use Generative AI to write this syllabus!

How does it all work? What must you know about all this technology to succeed in life? How is
it possible to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation in information technology? In IST195,
we will explore all these questions by enhancing information technology literacy. Even if you
know little about computers, networks, and software, this course will provide a foundation for
lifelong learning about technology. This course will serve you well regardless of whether you
see your life and future career as information technology-focused.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: This course is open to all undergraduate students at Syracuse University. No prior
information technology knowledge is required.

Credits: 3
 COURSE SYLLABUS
IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Learning Objectives:

• Recall key terms and definitions related to standard information technologies.

• Describe the workings of the Internet, databases, security, and productivity applications at
a basic or intermediate level.
• Evaluate consumer and business-focused information technology products and services.
• Analyze and criticize the impact of information technology on contemporary life.
• Demonstrate information ethics concerning intellectual property, cybercrime, privacy, or
related matters.
• Explain how various forms of information technology will intersect with their career,
industry of interest, and personal lives.

Shared Competencies:

In IST195, our class projects, labs, and exams ensure that our students meet the expectations
of one of the university-shared competencies: Information Literacy and Technological Agility,
defined as the Identification, collection, evaluation, and responsible use of information.
Effective, ethical, and critical application of various technologies and media in academic,
creative, personal, and professional endeavors.

Required Texts:

Computing Essentials 2025: Making IT Work For You

Authors: Timothy O'Leary, Linda O'Leary, Daniel O'Leary
Publisher: McGraw-Hill

This eBook is available through Orange Inclusive Access (OIA). You are automatically
enrolled, and the book is available via Blackboard. $45.88 will be charged to your SU Bursar
account unless you opt-out by September 9, 2024. If you opt-out, you are still responsible for
obtaining the materials elsewhere.

Course Requirements and Expectations:

Exams: (33% of grade)

The course will have two mid-semester exams, each drawing on the lecture material. No
make-up exams will be offered. A comprehensive final exam will be held during the final exam
slot for this course: December 12, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Please note the date and time of your
exam and make your travel plans accordingly. University rules mandate that I cannot give an
early final or change the exam date or time. You may have other exams that day. Study guides
will also be available on Blackboard as the exams approach. Individuals who miss their exam
due to a medical or family emergency need to provide a verified excuse from the University’s
Division of Student Affairs.
 COURSE SYLLABUS
IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Labs: (20% of grade)

There is one lab for each week of the course. All but three labs are considered homework, with
the remaining three completed in recitation. Labs will be available on Blackboard on Monday
mornings and are due Sunday evening. If you don’t have the software to complete the lab, you
can use http://rds.syr.edu.

Labs must be submitted in the format indicated in each lab (i.e., PDF, .xlsx, etc.). Submitting
an assignment in an incorrect format will result in a deduction of 1 point. Any student who
submits more than two assignments in the incorrect file format will receive a zero on the
subsequent assignments. Students are responsible for ensuring that the file they submit is
readable and in

1. Homework Labs:

There are eleven homework labs throughout the semester. Labs are designed so students
with little or no experience in the topic area can follow the instructions and complete the
lab. Your two lowest scores will be dropped from your final grade.

2. Recitation Labs:

There are three more challenging labs to be completed during recitation. All scores count
towards your final grade (no drops)

Quizzes: (15% of grade)

1. Online Quizzes:

For the first 13 weeks of the semester, a short quiz with ten questions will be available on
Blackboard. The questions will pertain to the chapter you read before the lecture. The
quizzes will be available on Monday and must be completed by 11:59 PM Sunday. In
addition, a pre-lab LINUX quiz will count as part of your overall quiz grade. Your two lowest
scores will be dropped from your final grade.

2. Recitation Quizzes:

Six short quizzes will be administered during recitation. These quizzes will be given at the
beginning of class, so you must be on time. You will not be allowed to take the quiz if you
are late. All scores count towards your final grade (no drops).

Recitation Assignments: (15% of grade)

Most weeks during recitation, you will be given a group assignment to work on during class and
occasionally outside. You will work on an individual lab assignment during three weeks of
recitation. Your two lowest scores will be dropped from your final grade.
 COURSE SYLLABUS
IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Projects: (12% of grade)

This course has three projects. The first involves researching and writing about ethics related
to information technology. The second involves developing an entrepreneurial idea and
strategizing how technology can enhance it. For the third project, you teach someone
something they want to learn about information technology.

Attendance: (5% of grade)

Unless approved to be remote by the Professor, you are expected to be in class and recitation
on time. You are encouraged to ask questions. Attendance will be taken. The lecture content
is the subject of all exams throughout the semester.

Late Work / Re-grading Assignments:

Only the Professor can approve a late assignment. You can earn up to 50% of the available
points if your late work is approved. As a policy, once assignments are turned in and graded,
they cannot be resubmitted for a new grade.

Use of Class Materials and Recordings:

The course instructor's intellectual property is the original class materials (lectures,
assignments, tests, etc.) and class session recordings. You may download these materials for
your use in this class. However, you may not provide these materials to other parties (e.g.,
websites, social media, or other students) without permission. Doing so violates intellectual
property law and the student code of conduct.
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IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Grading:

The following table and chart describe the grading breakdown based on 600 points. These
allocations are subject to change, which I will announce in class. You are responsible for
tracking your grade status throughout the semester, and no adjustments to letter grades will
occur because of modifications to these allocations.

Grading Breakdown:

Grading Area Max Points to Earn Drop Points % of Grade

Exams 200 33.33%
Homework Labs 90 Drop two lowest scores 15%
Recitation 90 Drop two lowest scores 15%
Assignments
Projects 70 11.67%
Book Quizzes 60 Drop two lowest scores 10%
Recitation Quizzes 30 5%
Recitation Labs 30 5%
Attendance 30 5%
(Lectures + Recitation)
 COURSE SYLLABUS
IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Grading Tables

Your total points earned during the semester will translate into a letter grade.

Min Points Max Points Min % Letter

567 600 95% A
537 566 90% A-
518 536 86% B+
495 517 83% B
477 494 80% B-
453 476 76% C+
435 452 73% C
417 434 70% C-
357 416 60% D
0 356 0% F

Extra Credit Opportunity: Earning Research Credit through the CITRA Portal

This course participates in the Communication, Information, and Technology Research

Alliance (CITRA) Research Pool. This is a shared resource for students interested in
participating in scientific research conducted by Newhouse or iSchool faculty and students,
and you can earn credit for this course in exchange for volunteering for those studies.

At any time during the semester, you can visit https://ischool.syr.edu/citra/ to read more
about the study participation opportunities. Note that there may not always be studies
available, and you might not be eligible for all studies, but that the list of studies is updated
frequently, so you should check for new studies throughout the semester. For each study
listed, there are specific instructions for how to sign up and participate—if you have questions,
please email the researcher listed directly.

When you sign up for a CITRA study, you will earn one credit for every 30 minutes of study-
participation time (although some studies could be worth more or less, depending on what you
are asked to do). Each credit is worth .5 points for our class, and you are limited to
earning ten credits for the semester. Each CITRA Credit can be assigned only to one course,
and study participation must be completed by the last class day of the semester.

Finally, it is important to understand that you don't need to participate in research to earn
course credit. Suppose you would still like to earn course credit but are not interested in
volunteering for any CITRA Pool studies. In that case, you may contact the coordinators of the
CITRA Pool for more information about alternative credit activities. For iSchool courses, your
contact is the CITRA coordinator, Dr. Jaime Banks (banks@syr.edu). You may also email those
contacts for any other questions, comments, or concerns about the CITRA program.
 COURSE SYLLABUS
IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Syracuse University Policies:

Syracuse University has a variety of policies designed to guarantee that students live and study
in a community respectful of their needs and those of fellow students. The policies and
services are listed on the new Syracuse University Senate-approved syllabus appendix
titled, ‘Syracuse University Student Policies and Services.’ These statements are an
official part of this course syllabus.

Course Schedule:

All information below is tentative and subject to change. Please consult Blackboard for any
changes to this schedule.

Week 1:

Date: August 26, 28, 30

Topic: Class Introduction/ IT & Your Career || History of Computing
Readings: Read Chapter 1 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 1, File Management Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Assignment

Week 2

Date: Sep 2 (no class), 4, 6

Topic: Social Media
Readings: Read Chapter 2 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 2, LinkedIn Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and Recitation Assignment

Week 3

Date: Sep 9, 11, 13

Topic: Microsoft Excel || Data Analytics || Introduce Project 1
Readings: Read Chapter 3 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 3, Excel Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and Recitation Assignment

Week 4

Date: Sep 16, 18, 20

Topic: Operating Systems || Linux Operating System
Readings: Read Chapter 4 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 4, Linux Pre-lab Quiz, Project 1 – Part 1 Due
Recitation Work: Linux Lab
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IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Week 5

Date: Sep 23, 25, 27

Topic: Computing Hardware || Bits Bytes || RFID || Review for Exam
Readings: Read Chapter 5 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 5, Hardware Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and Recitation Assignment

Week 6

Date: Sep 30, Oct 2, 4

Topic: Exam 1|| Internet of Things
Readings: Read Chapter 6 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 6, Tableau Lab, Project 1 – Part 2 Due
Recitation Work: In-Class Presentations

Week 7

Date: Oct 7, 9, 11
Topic: Cloud Computing || Networks || Introduce Project 2
Readings: Read Chapter 7 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 7
Recitation Work: Cloud Computing Lab

Week 8

Date: Oct 14 (no class), 16, 18

Topic: Artificial Intelligence
Readings: Read Chapter 8 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 8, Networking Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and Recitation Assignment

Week 9

Date: Oct 21, 23, 25

Topic: Security || Privacy & Ethics
Readings: Read Chapter 9 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 9, Security Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and In-Class Presentations

Week 10

Date: Oct 28, 30, Nov 1

Topic: Blockchain || Tech Economy || Review for Exam || Project 2 – Video & Comments Due
Readings: Read Chapter 10 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 10
Recitation Work: Machine Learning Lab
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IST195 – Introduction to Information Technology

Week 11

Date: Nov 4, 6, 8
Topic: Exam 2|| Databases
Readings: Read Chapter 11 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 11, Database Lab, Project 2 – Paper Due
Recitation Work: Machine Learning Lab Part II

Week 12

Date: Nov 11, 13, 15

Topic: Product/Project Management || Web Development || Introduce Project 3
Readings: Read Chapter 12 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 12, Project Management Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and Recitation Assignment

Week 13

Date: Nov 18,20,22

Topic: Web Development || Web Accessibility
Readings: Read Chapter 13 of the Book
Homework: Blackboard Quiz 13, Web Development Lab
Recitation Work: Recitation Quiz and Recitation Assignment

Thanksgiving Break:

Nov 24 – December 1 – Thanksgiving Break

Week 14

Date: Dec 2, 4, 6
Topic: Careers in IT || Review for the Final || Project 3 –Due
Homework: IT Careers Lab
Recitation Work: Review for the Final

Week 15

Date: Dec 9
Topic: Review for the Final

Final Exam:

December 12, 3:00 - 5:00 PM