SPEA-V 261 Using IT in Public Affairs (3 cr.)

An introduction to information technology and computing applications 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. Recommend basic understanding of computer operations.

 

Instructor Description

The skills and knowledge Students will gain from this class will be directly integrated into their career, both from an operational and managerial perspective. This course introduces students to Management Information Systems (MIS) and processes, that is, the physical components (e.g. hardware, software, data, people, etc.) that comprise a system, the project management life cycle that governs it, the data that is input into it, and includes the practical application of Excel. Not only will Students become familiar with the use of commercial software, but they will also understand how MIS and business components work together to fulfill the objectives of an organization and the effect MIS has had on our society/economy at large. For example, the history of the internet and its impact on management processes, such as the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This is a Public Affairs course that teaches basic software applications and data management while examining the use of information systems in organizations. Students are expected to be familiar with using a personal computer, including the management of files. Students will learn how to build basic Excel files that are great foundations for lifelong applications.

 

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

 

• MYITLAB (a Pearson Vue product) is required for this course. The MYITLAB suite is includes the course textbooks. The cost of this bundle is included in the course billing from the bursar at course registration. All components of MYITLAB are accessible from canvas with our Pearson integration.

 

• Journal articles linked through the class Canvas site

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

Upon successful completion of this course, a Student should be able to:

 

• Create Excel spreadsheets with moderately complex functionality, such as absolute reference, statistical functions such as maximum, minimum, and average, templates, financial tools, data analysis, and decision support.

 

• Recognize the basic components of a system and the broad types of systems utilized both in the public and private sectors.

 

• Identify and differentiate traditional economic roles and outcomes from those of the digital age and how the use of Internet-based technologies have changed the delivery of government services.

 

• Introduce emerging trends and challenges in systems management, such as the importance of system security and data privacy.

 

• Identify the various stages/deliverables of the systems development life cycle and role of the project manager.

 

PROFILES OF LEARNING FOR UNDERGRADUATE SUCCESS

 

IU Indianapolis prepares all students to communicate, innovate, and engage local and global communities to solve the problems of the 21st century. The skills needed to do this work are grouped into the four learning profiles set out below.  Students have multiple opportunities to learn and enhance their abilities in each profile.

 

Communicator

An IU Indianapolis communicator can:  evaluate information, listen actively, build relationships and convey ideas effectively.  Students learn to convey ideas effectively and ethically in oral, written, and visual forms across public, private, interpersonal, and team settings, using face-to-face and mediated channels. Communicators are mindful of themselves and others, listen, observe, and read thoughtfully, ask questions, evaluate information critically, create messages that demonstrate awareness of diverse audiences, and collaborate with others and across cultures to build relationships. 

 

Written communication goes beyond words, in this course Students will be learning ways to visualize not only meaningful technological concepts but visualize data with charts and graphs learned in Microsoft Excel. 

 

Problem Solver 

An IU Indianapolis problem solver: Thinks critically, collaborates, analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates information, and perseveres in the face of challenges. Students work individually and with others to collect, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to implement innovative solutions to challenging local and global problems.

 

Using the SWOTS process Students in this course will research a technology topic and discuss the effect it has on one’s career path.  Through this research along with key elements from the course content the student will present solutions to the problems the SWOTS research uncovers. The student will also use meaningful data presented in charts and graphs to relate data from the real world into the process analysis.   

 

Innovator 

An IU Indianapolis innovator: Investigates, creates, designs, confronts challenges, and makes decisions.  Students learn to build on experiences and disciplinary expertise to approach new situations and circumstances in original ways, are willing to take risks with ideas, and pose solutions.  They learn to create a plan to achieve their goals and carry out that plan to its completion. Innovators use their knowledge and skills to address complex problems. 

 

Community Contributor 

An IU Indianapolis Community Contributor:  builds community, respectfully engages cultures, behaves ethically, and anticipates consequences.  Students learn to be responsible, self-aware, civically engaged and to look outward to understand the needs of the society and environment.

 

IU INDIANAPOLIS POLICIES AND CODES

 

Students are expected to adhere to all campus-wide policies governing the conduct of courses at IU Indianapolis, including maintaining academic and professional honesty and integrity, being responsible for their behavior, respecting the rights and dignity of others both within and outside of the university community, and others. These policies can be found at http://studentcode.iu.edu/about/index.html.

 

INSTRUCTOR’S CLASSROOM POLICIES

 

Behavior in the classroom

Students are to display the professionalism and maturity expected of university Students and to comply with the IU Indianapolis policies on academic integrity and behavior. All exchanges are to remain polite and respectful.

 

Class attendance & participation

Class attendance is graded and is weighted at 10% of the overall course grade using canvas attendance tool in the canvas gradebook.

 

Due dates and late work

Assignments will be due at 11:59pm on the date they are due unless otherwise specified by the instructor.  Late assignments will be subjected to a 20% reduction. Exceptions are only made in extraordinary circumstances with documentation, and at the discretion of the instructor. As exams are all online no proctored makeups exams are required.

 

Communication

Please email communications directly to the instructor within the canvas LMS. Urgent messages can be emailed directly to the instructor however, please add “v261” in the subject line so that prioritization can be made.  

 

Technology use

This course requires technology. However, please respect your learning time and that of others in the course.  Refrain from surfing the web and social media during class time on both the lab machines and your personal devices. Exceptions can occur when the instructor directs this behavior for instructional purposes.

 

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

 

Grading scale

 

Grade	Letter Grade
97-100	A+
93-96.9	A
90-92.9	A-
87-89.9	B+
83-86.9	B
80-82.9	B-
77-79.9	C+
73-76.9	C
70-72.9	C-
67-69.9	D+
63-66.9	D
60-62.9	D-
0-59.9	F

 

Summary of course grading weights

 

Course components	Weight	weights are applied in assignment groups in canvas
Attendance	10%
Tech in Action Assignments/Quizzes	35%
Midterm	10%
Excel Assignments/Quizzes/Labs	35%
Final paper	10%
	100%

 

 

Course components

 

Attendance/Participation

Class attendance is graded and is weighted at 10% of the overall course grade using canvas attendance tool in the canvas gradebook.

 

Tech in Action Assignments/Quizzes

“Technology in Action (TIA)” is the textbook used in the first eight weeks of the course from which Students will read and prepare for weekly Quizzes and complete assigned “soundbytes”.

 

Midterm

The Mid-Term Research Paper is a SWOT analysis where Students evaluate a technology and apply it to an organization related to their chosen career.

 

Excel assignments/Quizzes/Labs

“Go for Microsoft Excel” is the textbook from which Students will complete Simulations (labs) and from which a weekly Quiz is administered. In person labs are conducted to reinforce the topics and concepts from the Pearson labs.

 

Final paper

The Final Project reflects skills acquired through completion of the labs, following lectures (and workshops), and practicing these techniques with raw files available in the Files tab in Canvas. Workshops replicate some of what is expected from the students for the Final Data Project.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1
Monday, August 24, 2026	First Day of Class Review Syllabus SSO-CheckPoint	1
Wednesday, August 26, 2026	TIA Chapter 1: The Impact of Technology in a Changing World
Sunday, August 30, 2026	Sound Byte: Virtual Computer Tour	1
	Chapter 1 Quiz	15
WEEK 2
Monday, August 31, 2026	TIA Chapter 2: Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts
Wednesday, September 2, 2026	TIA Chapter 3/13 The Internet
Sunday, September 6, 2026	Sound Byte: Smartphones Are Really Smart	1
	Chapter 2 Quiz & Ch 3/13 Quiz	30
WEEK 3
Monday, September 7, 2026	NO CLASSES - Labor Day
Wednesday, September 9, 2026	Chapter 4: Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Play
Sunday, September 13, 2026	Sound Byte: Blogging/ CH 4 Quiz	16
WEEK 4
Monday, September 14, 2026	Chapter 5: System Software: The OS, Utility Programs, and File Management
Wednesday, September 16, 2026	Chapter 6: Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System
Sunday, September 20, 2026	Sound Byte: Programming for End Users	1
	Chapter 5 Quiz	15
	Chapter 6 Quiz	15
WEEK 5
Monday, September 21, 2026	Chapter 7: Networking: Connecting Computing Devices
Wednesday, September 23, 2026	Chapter 9: Security
Sunday, September 27, 2026	Sound Byte: Installing a Home Computer Network	1
	TIA CH 7 Quiz	15
	TIA CH 9 Quiz	15
WEEK 6
Monday, September 28, 2026	Chapter 10: Behind the Scenes: Software Programming
Wednesday, September 30, 2026	Chapter 11: Behind the Scenes: Databases and Information Systems
Sunday, October 4, 2026	Sound Byte: Managing Computer Security with Windows Tools	1
	Ch 10& 11 Quiz	30
WEEK 7
Monday, October 5, 2026	Special Topic: Gen AI - Using Notebook LM & SWOT Lecture
Wednesday, October 7, 2026	MIDTERM Team Project (lab)
Sunday, October 11, 2026	Presentation Groups Survey Due (sign up)	1
	SWOT Assignment	5
WEEK 8
Monday, October 12, 2026	MIDTERM Team Project Presentations 1.2.3
Wednesday, October 14, 2026	MIDTERM Team Project Presentations 4.5.6
Sunday, October 18, 2026	MIDTERM Project Working Documents DUE	100
WEEK 9
Monday, October 19, 2026	NO CLASSES - Fall Break
Wednesday, October 21, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 1 + LAB A/B	27
Sunday, October 25, 2026	Excel 1  Simulation Training/ Ch 1 Quiz	16
WEEK 10
Monday, October 26, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 2 + LAB A/B	36
Wednesday, October 28, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 3 + LAB A/B	22
Sunday, November 1, 2026	Excel 2/3 Simulation Training/ Ch 2/3 Quiz	16
WEEK 11
Monday, November 2, 2026	Budget LAB	10
Wednesday, November 4, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 4 + LAB A/B	17
Sunday, November 8, 2026	Excel 4 Simulation Training/ Ch 4 Quiz	16
WEEK 12
Monday, November 9, 2026	Absolute Cell LAB	10
Wednesday, November 11, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 5 + LAB A/B	17
Sunday, November 15, 2026	Excel 5 Simulation Training/  Ch 5 quiz	16
WEEK 13
Monday, November 16, 2026	Comma Sep. Value LAB	10
Wednesday, November 18, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 6 + LAB A/B	25
Sunday, November 22, 2026	Excel 6 Simulation Training/ CH 6 quiz	16
WEEK 14
Monday, November 23, 2026	Pivot Lab	10
Wednesday, November 25, 2026	NO CLASSES - Thanksgiving Break
WEEK 15
Monday, November 30, 2026	Macro Lab	10
Wednesday, December 2, 2026	LAB Excel Chapter 7 + LAB A	20
Sunday, December 6, 2026	Excel 7 Simulation Training/ Ch 7 Quiz	16
WEEK 16
Monday, December 7, 2026	Final Project WORKSHOP	11
Wednesday, December 9, 2026	Group 1, 2, & 3 Presentations
Sunday, December 13, 2026	Excel 9 Simulation Training/ Ch 9 Quiz	16
Final Project
Monday, December 14, 2026	Group 4,5 & 6 Presentations
Wednesday, December 16, 2026	10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Exam Period (Projects are due 1pm) presentation overflow	100

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Administrative withdrawal-

A basic requirement of this course is you will participate in class and conscientiously complete writing and reading assignments. If you miss more than half the class meetings within the first 25% of the semester without contacting me, you may be administratively withdrawn from this course. This class meets twice each week; thus if you miss more than four class meetings in the first four weeks, you may be withdrawn. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.

 

Copyright

Materials in this course, including lectures, notes, handouts, exams, and similar materials created by the instructor, are protected by U.S. copyright law. Materials are used in an educational context for personal use and should not be reproduced, distributed, or sold in print or digitally outside the course without permission. Students who are involved in unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material may be in violation of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct. You can also find additional information reading the administrative withdrawal policy at: http://registrar.IUI.edu/withdrawal-policy.html

 

Accessible Educational Services (AES)

AES is the IU Indianapolis office dedicated to working with students with documented disabilities to ensure that these students receive the appropriate accommodations so they have an equal opportunity to be successful at higher education. The AES Office is located in Joseph T. Taylor Hall, Room 100, and can be contacted by phone at (317) 274-3241 or email at aes@iu.edu. For more information, visit the Accessible Educational Services website.

 

O’Neill’s make-up exam policy

Under extenuating circumstances noted in this syllabus, a make-up exam may be given with instructor approval. In this situation, a student would complete the make-up exam during the official proctoring time, which is Fridays from 9 a.m.–noon in room BS 4087. Students will need to avail their schedules to this timeframe in order to complete a make-up exam.

 

Artificial Intelligence/ChatGPT

 

Allowing the use of Generative AI

 

We will use AI in this course.

 

You may utilize AI language models, including IU approved AI tools as a resource to support the completion of homework and other assignments in this class.

Approved tooling is published here: https://uits.iu.edu/ai/index.html,  

AI language models are powerful tools developed to generate text based on the input provided. It can provide suggestions, offer alternative phrasing, and help brainstorm ideas for your written work.

While the AI language models can help refine your writing, it is important to remember that it is an AI system and not a substitute for your critical thinking, analysis, and creativity. These tools supplement your writing process and should not be the sole source of your work. Ultimately, you are responsible for the content and quality of your written assignment. You should critically evaluate GENAI tooling outputs for accuracy, potential bias, relevance, and style.

When utilizing AI language models, it is essential to ensure that your writing remains original and properly attributed, including citing outputs or text generated by GENAI. Please see the How to cite ChatGPT in the APA Style resource. Submissions that are not properly cited or that appear to make extensive use of generated language will receive a lower grade.

Intellectual Diversity

This course includes assigned readings and other materials that address broadly accepted concepts, theories, principles, and methods central to the topics examined in this course.  These materials provide a foundation of knowledge that is necessary to both understanding and further study of the course topics.  With this foundational knowledge, students will be better prepared to evaluate new, complex, and emerging questions in the field.  As knowledge evolves, new ideas come forward for consideration.   A student who identifies materials that they believe are relevant and will enhance understanding of course topics is invited to email the work to the instructor for consideration of inclusion in the course discussion.