Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus SPEA v261 3848

 

Instructor: Mark Niswander, mniswand@iu.edu

Class Begins: Wednesday January 14 (No Class on Monday January 12)

Class Sessions: Monday and Wednesday, 11:10am - 12:25pm ET (Bloomington, Indiana)

Class Location: SPEA PV151

Office House: by request; email with your available days and times

Textbook:  Available via Canvas using the MH SIMnet link

 

Course Description

SPEA-V 261 Using Technology in Public Affairs (3 cr.) An introduction to information technology and computing plications in public affairs. Topics include basic IT concepts, project proposals, network and infrastructure design, security and ethics, data and document management, cloud computing, and IT futures. Direct application of the above with office suites, website development, spreadsheets and statistics, and databases.

 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the semester students should be able to:

  • describe how computers work
  • discuss current issues and future trends in technology 
  • work with complex spreadsheets
  • use relational databases
  • formulate data driven arguments
  • create well-designed data visualizations
  • develop websites
  • apply the principles of good leadership, teamwork and project management through class discussions and by working on solo and group projects.

 

O’Neill School expectations of civility and professional conduct[1]

The O’Neill School takes matters of honesty and integrity seriously because O’Neill is the training ground for future leaders in government, civic organizations, health organizations, and other institutions charged with providing resources for the public, and for members of society who are vulnerable and who are lacking in power and status. Precisely because O’Neill graduates tend to rise to positions of power and responsibility, it is critical that the lessons of honesty and integrity are learned early.

O’Neill requires that all members of its community – students, faculty, and staff – treat others with an attitude of mutual respect both in the classroom and during all academic and nonacademic activities outside the classroom. A student is expected to show respect through behavior that promotes conditions in which all students can learn without interruption or distraction. These behaviors foster an appropriate atmosphere inside and outside the classroom:

  • Students are expected to attend class regularly and to be prepared for class.
  • Students must be punctual in their arrival to class and be present and attentive for the duration of the class. Eating, sleeping, doing work for another class, wandering in and out of the classroom, and packing up or leaving class early are not civil or professional behaviors.
  • Students must abide by the course policy regarding use of electronic devices in the classroom.
  • Students must responsibly participate in class activities and during team meetings.
  • Students must address faculty members, other students, and others appropriately and with respect, whether in person, in writing, or in electronic communications.
  • Students must show tolerance and respect for others.
  • Students must not destroy or deface classroom property nor leave litter in the classroom.

 

Course Requirements

Grading Weights and Scales: The total sum of points is 1500. The gradebook is in Canvas.[2]:

  • 80 points for Gen AI 101
  • 80 points for SIMnet Book 
  • 215 points for SIMnet Projects
  • 185 points for SIMnet Exams
  • 160 points for In-Class Assignments
  • 200 points for Team Assignments
  • 280 points for Individual Assignments
  • 100 points for Final Review Project
  • 200 points for Midterm & Final

Percent cut-offs for each grade:

A+

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

97%

93%

90%

87%

83%

80%

77%

73%

70%

67%

63%

60%

<60%

 

Academic Integrity

Review your responsibilities at https://studentcode.iu.edu/

SIMnet Course Materials

Students must download all SIMnet assignment files from their own SIMnet Course. 

All downloaded files are encrypted with student information. To avoid possible integrity violations always use downloaded files that you personally downloaded. Students that receive an integrity violation on their SIMnet assignments will receive a zero on the assignment. If a student receives more than one violation, they will be subject to disciplinary procedures. If you have any questions or are unclear about the information provided regarding SIMnet integrity violations, please contact me for clarification.

 

Use of generative AI (such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot)

Using AI to assist in completing assignments unless suggested to do so is prohibited in this course.  If you do use AI without the option to do so in the assignment instructions, you will be committing plagiarism[3] and will be subject to penalties in this class and sanctions by Indiana University.  You are permitted to use the free version of Grammarly and Microsoft Word’s spelling and grammar tool. 

WARNING: Submitting any questions, assignments, notes, slides, or other instructor-produced course materials into Generative AI without permission is a violation of the faculty member’s exclusive rights and will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct.

 

Course Materials - Instructor’s Exclusive Rights

The faculty member teaching this course holds the exclusive right to distribute, modify, post, and reproduce course materials, including all written materials, study guides, lectures, assignments, exercises, and exams. While you are permitted to take notes on the online materials and lectures posted for this course for your personal use, you are not permitted to re-post in another forum, upload to AI, distribute, reproduce content from this course, or sell the instructor’s course materials (including notes and study guides) without the express written permission of the faculty member.

Violations of this policy will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct (violation of course rules). Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the assignment for which the notes/study guides are being sold, a reduction in your final course grade, or a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities.

Additionally, you should know that selling a faculty member’s course using IU email, or via Canvas may also constitute a violation of IU information technology and IU intellectual property policies; additional consequences may result.

 

Course Policies

Attendance
Your attendance in class is required. Most weeks you will complete a 20 point in-class assignment. The lowest in-class score will be dropped from your final grade.

You must complete in class assignments in class to receive credit.

 

Late Assignments
Late submissions of SIMnet Exams/Projects and Individual Assignments will be penalized 10% for each day past the due date that they are submitted. 

If submitted more than three (3) days after the due date, they will not be accepted, and you will get a zero for that assignment.

Students can request, via email to the instructor, late submission of one Canvas module. All requests for late submission should be emailed prior to the end of Week 14.

In Class Assignments and the Midterm/Final cannot be submitted late.

 

A grade of Incomplete
University policies prohibit instructors from assigning grades of Incomplete (I) simply because a student wishes to avoid a bad grade. If you feel you meet criteria for an Incomplete, please review the university policies before making an application for an Incomplete to your instructor. Students who stop attending class without properly withdrawing from the course will receive a grade of F. It is important to withdraw from a course within specified time frames.

 

Late withdrawal
Withdrawal after the automatic withdrawal period requires approval by the instructor and relevant Program Director and must be based on dire circumstances relating to extended illness or equivalent distress (IU Enrollment and Student Academic Information Bulletin). Requests to drop due to a failing grade will not be approved. The student must be passing the course at the time of withdrawal.

 

Failure to complete
Students who stop attending class without properly withdrawing will fail the class.

 

Additional Information

Counseling and Psychological Services

For information about services offered to students by CAPS:  http://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/index.shtml

TimelyCare

Indiana students have free, 24/7 access to virtual mental health care services with TimelyCare. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. https://www.iu.edu/mental-health/find-resources/timely-care.html#0

Religious Accommodation Requests

The "Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances" form must be submitted by the student to the professor no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated absence.  A separate form must be submitted for each absence and for each course. Faculty do not have to consider accommodations for the purpose of allowing students to travel away from Bloomington for religious observance.  Information about the policy is found here: https://vpfaa.indiana.edu/resources/religious-observances-information.html.

Accessible Educational Services (formerly Disability Services for Students) 

Securing accommodations for a student with disabilities is a responsibility shared by the student, the instructor, and the AES Office. For information about support services or accommodations available to students with disabilities, and for the procedures to be followed by students and instructors: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/student-support/iub-aes/index.html

Sexual Harassment 

As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. Title IX and our own Sexual Misconduct policy prohibit sexual misconduct.  If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help.

If you are seeking help and would like to talk to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with:

The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) at 812-855-8900

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711

Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at 812-856-2469

IU Health Center at 812-855-4011

For more information about available resources:  http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html. It is also important to know that federal regulations and University policy require me to promptly convey any information about potential sexual misconduct known to me to our campus’ Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator.  In that event, they will work with a small number of others on campus to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available to the student who may have been harmed.  Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist.  I encourage you to visit http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html to learn more.

IU Culture Centers

https://studentlife.indiana.edu/communities/culture-centers/index.html

 

 

[1] These expectations are excerpted from the O’Neill School Honor Code which can be found under Student Ethics and Policies: https://oneill.indiana.edu/undergraduate/course-advising/advising/resources.html

[2] The grading scheme is tentative and subject to adjustment by the instructor.

[3] Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s work, including the work of other students, as one’s own. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged, unless the information is common knowledge. https://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html.