O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

SPEA V369- 2892

Managing Information Technology -- Fall 2026

Instructor: Jacob Farmer (contact via messages in Canvas)

Class Meeting: MW 5:30p-6:46p, PV 276

Office Hours: by request, schedule via self-service tool on course Canvas site

Course Description: Analysis and discussion of information technology as applied to problem solving and management in public and non-profit sectors. Topics include management, infrastructures, policies, and concepts such as scalability, manageability, security, and cost of technology. Focus is on high-level issues surrounding IT and the strategic positioning of IT in all sectors of business.

Primary Learning Outcome: By the end of the semester, students will be able to propose and defend an IT solution that addresses a problem or fulfills a business/organizational need. Students will learn to learn to “think like an IT manager” and to effectively apply analytical reasoning to address technology opportunities and challenges.

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of managing information systems within a private, public or non-profit organization. The course is intended to provide students with a management perspective of information technology and to help them understand the fundamental requirements of designing, implementing and guiding technology in an organization.  Students will be exposed to the universe of business information technology management; the key core technology areas (e.g., networking, database management, cloud computing and security) and how IT management functions to enable organizational success. 

How much time should you be spending on this class:  If this is a standard 3-credit semester length class, you are expected to spend an average of 6 or more hours outside of class per week on reading, studying, assignments, etc.  If this is a 6- or 8-week 3-credit class, you are expected to spend at least 12 hours outside of class per week on these activities.

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, & Conduct 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, & Conduct.  

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 misconduct, 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 values.
• 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 responsibilities 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 Conduct.

Course Requirements:

Graded course components are as follows:

Reading, assignment, and exam due dates are listed in Canvas.

• 5% -- Course starting and ending reflections
• 20% -- In-Class Activities, lowest two scores dropped
• 20% -- Weekly Online Quiz/Short Assignment, lowest one score dropped
• Starts second week of classes
• 45% -- Three Exams (spread across semester)
• No exams are dropped.
• 10% -- Final paper

Schedule of Assignments: Course dates, readings, assignments, tests, etc. are posted on Canvas. Readings are influenced by current events and will generally be published 2 weeks before they are covered in class.

The posted schedule is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

Grading Scale:

Please note that grades are calculated at their full precision and that scores will not be rounded.

Letter Grade	Starting	Ending
A+	100 %	to 97.0%
A	< 97.0 %	to 93.0%
A-	< 93.0 %	to 90.0%
B+	< 90.0 %	to 87.0%
B	< 87.0 %	to 83.0%
B-	< 83.0 %	to 80.0%
C+	< 80.0 %	to 77.0%
C	< 77.0 %	to 73.0%
C-	< 73.0 %	to 70.0%
D+	< 70.0 %	to 67.0%
D	< 67.0 %	to 63.0%
D-	< 63.0 %	to 60.0%
F	< 60.0 %	to 0.0%

Required Materials: No textbook is required for purchase for this course. Students should have access to a computer that can be used for online classes. See the course policies for more information. No prerequisite course required, but SPEA-V261 is suggested for students with minimal Information Technology (IT) experience.

Basic Computer Literacy: This course assumes students have some experience with computer systems and, at minimum, basic computing skills. This course will NOT teach basic computer literacy or skills. All students must know how to use: e-mail, MS-Office, and other online resources. It is assumed you have some experience, and a working understanding of MS-Office Applications and Web browsing/searching. If you have any concerns or doubts about your computing skills please come and speak with me immediately.

Additional Information Please be sure you are also familiar with information listed here: Additional Course Policies