O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

SPEA-V 261 Using IT in Public Affairs (Section 4277)

Modality: In-person

Class Meeting: Tuesday and Thursday 2:20pm – 3:35pm ET; SPEA PV151
Schedule of Activities: V261 Fall Schedule.docx

Course Description

An introduction to information technology andcomputing plications in public affairs. Topics include basic IT concepts, project proposals, network and infrastructure, security and ethics, data and document management, cloud computing, and IT futures. Direct application of the above with office suites, website development, spreadsheets, databases and data visualization.

 

Learning Outcomes

Through instruction and hands-on experience in Microsoft Office and various web development applications, you will be able to:

• Analyze, manage, and solve business problems using advanced spreadsheet techniques.
• Explain the fundamental concepts of computer security and how hardware, software, data, and networks interact.
• Use AI tools strategically, responsibly, and critically to support problem-solving, analysis, communication, and learning.
• Evaluate current issues and future trends in technology that influence organizations and society. 
• Formulate and communicate data-driven arguments using evidence to support decision making.
• Design effective data visualizations that communicate insights clearly and accurately.
• Create, query, and manage relational databases to store, retrieve, and analyze information.
• Develop and publish basic websites using modern web design principles.
• Apply principles of leadership, teamwork, and project management while completing individual and collaborative projects.

Course Requirements

The syllabus lists all assignments and the points for those assignments. Note the following:

You can earn up to 1,790 points during the course of the semester

• 420 points for engagement (Attendance & Daily Deliverables) (23%)
• 255 points for SIMnet Projects (14%)
• 190 points for SIMnet Chapter Exams (11%)
• 145 points for other non-SIMnet Assignments (8%)
• 430 points for Team Projects (24%)
• 350 points for Midterm & Final Exams (20%)

 

Grading scale

A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	F
100% -97%	96.9% -93%	92.9% -90%	89.9% -87%	86.9% -83%	82.9% -80%	79.9% -77%	76.9% -73%	72.9% -70%	69.9% -66.6%	66.5% -60%	< 60%

Generative AI Use

Generative AI tools (such as Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and similar tools) are permitted and encouraged in this course. Learning how to use AI effectively is an important professional skill, and I believe that people who can use AI well will have an advantage in the workplace.
However, AI should be used to support your learning, not replace it. A simple rule of thumb: Use AI to help you learn and improve your work. Do not use AI to do your work for you. 

Appropriate Uses of AI
You are encouraged to use AI to:

• Explain course concepts in different ways.
• Help you understand assignment instructions.
• Generate study guides, practice questions, or examples.
• Brainstorm ideas and approaches to solving problems.
• Check your work and identify possible errors.
• Improve the clarity, organization, and professionalism of your writing.

Inappropriate Uses of AI
The following uses are not permitted:

• Copying and pasting an assignment, discussion prompt, project, or exam question into an AI tool and submitting the AI-generated response as your own work.
• Having AI complete an assignment, project, or discussion on your behalf.
• Submitting work that you do not understand or could not explain if asked.
• Using AI in a way that bypasses the learning objectives of the course.

Documentation Requirement

When you use AI for a graded assignment, you must document how it was used. This may include:

• Identifying the AI tool used.
• Providing the prompt(s) you entered.
• Briefly explaining how the AI output helped you complete the work.

Think of AI as a research assistant or tutor. The final work should reflect your understanding, judgment, and effort.

 

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 and Engagement

This course uses an active learning format. Research shows that students learn more when they actively engage with course material through practice & problem solving, rather than passively listening to lectures. Because much of the learning in this course occurs during class sessions, regular attendance and participation are essential to success.

Attendance will be recorded during each class meeting and will contribute to your final course grade. Students may request up to 2 excused absences during the semester. Attendance will be set to Excused  in the Roll Call Attendance app in Canvas upon the student's request.  Additional excused absences may be granted at the instructor's discretion.

Most class sessions will include a Daily Deliverable, a short assignment or activity designed to help you apply course concepts, demonstrate understanding, and provide feedback on your learning progress.
Students must be present in class to receive credit for Daily Deliverables. Daily Deliverables cannot be completed outside of class or submitted at a later time unless approved by the instructor due to documented extenuating circumstances. To accommodate occasional absences or unexpected circumstances, the two lowest Daily Deliverable scores will be dropped when calculating your final grade.

Late Assignments

Late submissions will be penalized 10% for each day past the due date that they are submitted. Assignments submitted more than 3 days after the due date will not be accepted and you will get a zero for that assignment. Contact me if you are facing extenuating circumstances.

After the auto-W deadline, withdrawal will be significantly limited, and you will need permission to withdraw and must meet requirements established by O’Neill.

O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Student Honor Code 

Introduction

The O’Neill School takes matters of honesty and integrity seriously.  We expect O’Neill students will, at all times, maintain academic integrity and civil and professional standards of conduct.

Scope

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code applies to all courses and programs offered by O’Neill, and to all students who participate in O’Neill classes and programs, regardless of whether students are admitted to O’Neill. Students studying at O’Neill are expected to continue their commitment to ethical behavior in all their endeavors, including, but not limited to, coursework inside and outside of O’Neill, internships, community service, and overseas study.

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code incorporates IU’s Code of Student Right, Responsibilities, & ConductLinks to an external site. and extends to matters of civility and professional conduct, including, expectations about class attendance, punctuality, participation in class, and decorum in class and at other school functions.

Academic Conduct Requirements  

All students enrolled in O’Neill courses are subject to the academic misconduct provisions found in the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & ConductLinks to an external site..  

Academic misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution.

The IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct lists and defines many types of academic misconductLinks to an external site., including cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, and facilitating academic dishonesty.   

Academic misconduct includes the use of any technology or assistance, including AI, that is not permitted by the instructor.

Civility and Professional Conduct Requirements

O’Neill requires that all students treat others with mutual respect and behave professionally in the classroom and during all academic and non-academic activities.

These civility and professional conduct requirements foster an appropriate atmosphere inside and outside the classroom:

• Students must act in accordance with the O’Neill School mission and valuesLinks to an external site..
• Students must regularly attend and be fully prepared for class, including completing readings.
• Students must not behave in a way that interrupts or distracts from teaching or learning. For example, students must be punctual in their arrival to class and be present and attentive for the duration of the class. They must not sleep, do work for another class, or wander in and out of the classroom, pack up, or leave class early (unless an emergency exists).
• Students must abide by the course policy regarding use of electronic devices in the classroom, including a requirement that no electronics are allowed or that students are not permitted to use devices for non-class related purposes.
• Students must responsibly participate in class activities and during team meetings for course assignments.
• Students must attend scheduled meetings with faculty or staff, events for which they have RSVPed, interviews with prospective employers, and student organization 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 practice respect and responsible stewardship of the physical resources of the school, refraining from destroying or defacing school property, integrating practices of sustainability, and contributing to a clean and orderly physical environment in all buildings, classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces.   
• Students must comply with the personal misconduct responsibilitiesLinks to an external site. within the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct.

Reporting 

Students must abide by the O’Neill Student Honor Code themselves and hold their peers to the same standards. Students should report suspected instances of academic, civility, or professional misconduct to the instructor of the course. Students should report suspected instances of personal misconduct to the IU Office of Student ConductLinks to an external site..