Bachelor 2020/2021

Introduction to information systems

Type: Compulsory course (HSE University and University of London Parallel Degree Programme in Management and Digital Innovation)

Area of studies: Business Informatics

Delivered by: Department of Business Informatics

Where: Graduate School of Business

When: 2 year, 1 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Alexander A. Gorbunov, Mikhail M. Komarov

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 30

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The subject of information systems includes a rather broad set of topics and issues. The concerns we will address here certainly go beyond a narrow focus on technology – that is a subject that might be better studied under the heading of ‘computer science’ or ‘computer engineering’. Rather, this subject, and this course, investigates what we do with this particular technology in the world, why we choose to use it, who is affected or interested in its uses and how we organise ourselves to be able to get the best from it.

Learning Objectives

• Provide students with an appropriate balance of technical and organisational perspectives to serve as the basis for further study in the field of IS

Expected Learning Outcomes

• debate the relevance of the sociotechnical approach and demonstrate this through the study of a number of practical business and administrative information systems within real organisations
• demonstrate, through project work, understanding of the analysis and design of small projects using database and spreadsheet programs, and the ability to write brief but informative reports on such work.
• describe and justify a range of professional roles in information systems development activity, and their changing nature, reflecting in part changes in technology use in and between organisations
• describe fundamental principles that can be applied to ensure that security and personal privacy is respected in information systems
• discuss the social, organisational, legal and economic context of computer use and be able to debate the significance of information and communications technologies on the economy and society
• explain fundamental assumptions made in studying information and communications technologies in organisations as sociotechnical systems in contrast to purely technical or managerial views
• explain the tasks required when undertaking the establishment of a new information system and be able to contrast alternative approaches to development
• express a logical understanding of how the technical parts of computer-based information systems work, their principal structures and components, including contemporary technologies for information storage, processing and communications
• explain the various functions of systems and network software and various classes of businessoriented application packages

Course Contents

• Introduction
  Introduction, information about coursework, a short history of IS
• Concepts underlying information systems
  Information and data. The "systems" of information systems. Managing data with technologies. Information systems infrastructure: software and services.

Assessment Elements

• Active participation in classes (Quizz)
• Exam
  Examination format: The exam is taken written. The platform: The exam is taken on Ms Teams platform ( and LMS). Students are required to join a session 15 minutes before the beginning. The computers must meet the following technical requirements: https://docs.microsoft.com/ru-ru/microsoftteams/hardware-requirements-for-the-teams-app A student is supposed to follow the requirements below: Check your computer for compliance with technical requirements no later than 5 days before the exam; Sign in with your corporate account (@edu.hse.ru); Check your microphone, speakers or headphones, webcam, Internet connection (we recommend connecting your computer to the network with a cable, if possible); Prepare the necessary writing equipment, such as pens, pencils, pieces of paper, and others. Disable applications on the computer's task other than the MS Teams application or the browser that will be used to log in to the MS Teams platform. Students are not allowed to: Turn off the video camera; Use notes, textbooks, and other educational materials; Leave the place where the exam task is taken (go beyond the camera's viewing angle); Look away from your computer screen or desktop; Use smart gadgets (smartphone, tablet, etc.) Involve outsiders for help during the exam, talk to outsiders during the examination tasks; Read tasks out loud. Students are allowed to: Write on a piece of paper, use a pen for making notes and calculations; Use a calculator; Turn on the microphone to answer the teacher’s questions; Ask a teacher for additional information related to understanding the exam task. Connection failures: A short-term communication failure during the exam is considered to be the loss of a student's network connection with the MS Teams platform for no longer than 1 minute. A long-term communication failure during the exam is considered to be the loss of a student's network connection with the MS Teams platform for longer than 1 minute. A student cannot continue to participate in the exam, if there is a long-term communication failure appeared. The retake procedure is similar to the exam procedure. In case of long-term communication failure in the MS Teams platform during the examination task, the student must notify the teacher, record the fact of loss of connection with the platform (screenshot, a response from the Internet provider). Then contact the manager of a program with an explanatory note about the incident to decide on retaking the exam.

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (1 module)
  0.5 * Active participation in classes (Quizz) + 0.5 * Exam

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2018). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, Global Edition (Vol. Fifteenth edition). NY NY: Pearson. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1594480

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Beynon-Davies, P. (2013). Business Information Systems (Vol. 2nd edition). Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1523300