COURSE SYLLABUS:                         IFSM 320 - OFFICE AUTOMATION

 Prerequisites:     IFSM 201 or an equivalent. Students who previously earned credit in CAPP 260 or CAPP
                                320 cannot also earn credit in IFSM 320.
Credit:                   Three (3) semester hours Via Distance Education.

 Instructor:           Wendy Davis-Gruber
Dates/Times:        Term I - II , Sep 1 - Dec 18, 1998

Textbook:             Office Automation: A Systems Approach, Ray, Palmer, and Wohl, 1995,
                               Cincinnati, OH: South-Western Educational Publishing.

Course Description:
This course in Information Systems Management is applicable to students whose interests lie in the area of current and future developments of office technology, processes and its management, as well as the social, organizational and economic implication of office automation in today's office. The course covers topics involving management information systems, decision support systems, distributed data processing, word processing, electronic mail, electronic filing systems, and telecommunications. The course also addresses the analysis of office automation needs and the design and acquisition of appropriate systems.

Grades will be based on:

 Active class participation in class discussion is expected. Your comments are important. It also shows me you’ve been doing the reading ! "Lurking" about is discouraged. Be active, this is your class. Expect to interact with the class in either discussion or homework at least once a week.

 Students are required to have the following for successful participation in the course:

a. Reliable e-mail - This is our primary means of communication !
b. Internet Access
c. Web Access and browser

Students will need to "attend class regularly". This can be interpreted as checking your email at a minimum of twice a week. Neglecting to collect your mail is not an excuse for missed assignments or deadlines.

 Assignment deadlines must be adhered to. Assignments handed in after the posted deadline will be penalized by 10%. An assignment schedule will be posted. Students are expected to complete all assignments individually unless prior arrangements have been made for group projects or the assignment requires group work. Any form of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade for that assignment.

Your first week's assignments:

1. Get your text. Start reading.
2. Getting your e-mail account organized.
3. Finding out your nearest Education Center's address for the proctored final exam.
4. Finding a library for research, etc.
5. Figuring out how to download files from the list server at Heidelberg - This will be know as our Forum!

A reading assignment sheet will be sent to you separately.

 Your final exam will be given during week 14. It will be proctored at your nearest Education Center by a representative. Students are responsible for contacting their nearest education center and making arrangements to take the final exam as well as sending me the complete mailing address and contact person for the final exam.

 Instructor Information:

I can be contacted via the following methods:

Email: wdavisgr@faculty.ed.umuc.edu
post: W.Davis-Gruber
           Leighton Ed. Center
           Unit 26229
           APO AE 09244

Ms Davis-Gruber earned her Masters in Systems Management - Information Systems and Logistics from the University of Southern California. In addition to university teaching, academic administration, and management, Ms. Davis-Gruber has over eighteen years experience in computer-based information systems. She currently conducts courses in Computer Studies and Business Management for UMUC, both in the classroom and via the Distance Education program. She joined the European Division in 1990.

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