Course Syllabus

V261 FALL 2026 Schedule

Using IT in Public Affairs (V261) Section 2889

In-person lecture

Final: Thursday, December 17, 12:40-2:40 p.m.

Course Description

An introduction to information technology and computing applications in public affairs. Topics include basic IT concepts, data analysis,  infrastructure, 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. No prior experience is required. 

Learning Outcomes 

In this course, you will learn the most valued skills in the IT industry today. Through instruction and hands-on experience in Microsoft Office and various web development applications, you will be able to:

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

Course Requirements and Grading

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

• You can earn up to 1,575 points during the course of the semester
  1. 350 points  for Midterm & Final Exams (22%)
  2. 420 points for Team Projects (27%)  
  3. 250 points for SIMnet Projects (14%)
  4. 190 points for SIMnet Chapter Exams (12%)
  5. 220 points for class participation (14%)
  6. 240 points for other Assignments (9%)
• Grading scale

• Course Assessment
  As noted above, learning will be assessed through a combination of solo and group project work as well as quizzes and exams. You will receive feedback on anything you missed to help you learn from it.
  
  
• Submitting Assignments
  Assignments will be submitted through McGraw Hill SIMnet and via Canvas. Instructions for submitting will be given with each assignment. You may have multiple attempts to submit your SIMnet assignments to receive full credit. It is your responsibility to check your score and make the corrections necessary to receive your preferred grade. 
  
  
• How Will I Know How I’m Doing in This Course?
  Grades for completed assignments will be posted in Canvas. Since Canvas keeps track of all of your grades, you should always be able to calculate your current grade in the course. If you need assistance, please contact me.
  
  
• 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. Withdrawals after Week 12 are rarely granted.
  
  
• 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.

Tools We'll Be Using

• McGraw-Hill SIMnet
• Canvas (Indiana University's online learning management system)
• Zoom (video conferencing)
• Kaltura (video recording software)
• IUWare, IUAnyWare and office.iu.edu to access the tools used in this course
• Cloud storage (e.g. OneDrive or Google Drive)