Course grades will be based on (1) performance on the midterm, (2)quality of participation in class discussions, (3) your involvement andperformance on a distant teams project, (4) your use of computer networks,and (5) other short assignments.

Class Participation - 20%

Class discussions are key to helping you learn about complex ideaswhere there are several different relevant perspectives. Many studentsenjoy discussions, but some are moretimid. Therefore, in addition to the discussions which take place with thelectures, small group discussions on a computer conferencing system will bedevoted to this class.

Most of the class discussions will be carried out on the computer.You will each be given computer accounts on the university's instructionalcomputer conferencing system, called ICoSy. You will be responsible for posting messages on two class conferences.One conference is specifically designed for our class; it is called MIS411.511. In the beginning, I expect at least two posts per week (see Appendix A).Later, you will need to log on regularly. The purpose of using the computerconference is twofold: 1) to provide you with some experience ofcomputer- mediated interaction, and 2) to encourage you to participate in class discussions outside theclassroom. Class instruction on how to use ICoSy will be announced.

You are expected to contribute to class discussions by sharing yourideas, voicing your questions, building on other students' observations, and introducing relevant timely articles/events (suchas those which you experience, which are reported in the news or discussedon Internet bboards). Many Internet sources provide a wide range ofscholarly (and many not-so-scholarly)information whose substance pertains to this course. You will also learnhow to use your Internet accounts.

Internet Treasure Hunt - 10%

After you have had a chance to learn about the Internet, you willspend the next two weeks becoming accustomed toits many "nuances.'' The best way to learn about the internet is to getyour hands dirty. This assignment tests your knowledge of ``searching theinternet.''
Assignment Due: September 27

Distant Teams Project - 40%

This project allows you an opportunity to learn first hand what distanceteam work is like when you work with students using electroniccommunication to conduct your interactions with them. We intend to usecomputer conferencing (ICoSy) and electronic mail for most of our interactions.

The project is scheduled to begin on Nov. 6 and to end on Nov. 29,1995, a four-week period. It has four major parts:

1. introductions and team selection via ICoSy;
2. announce team and topic and set-up email distribution list
3. work as a team to produce a paper on a topic related to the class;
4. presentations to our class(es).

Short Assignments - 10%

There will be some special short assignments that you will be asked to do in order to focus our discussion on a particular topic related to the course content. At times, these assignments may be done with one other person in the class. Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason, though I will accept early assignments in my mailbox in Room 430.

Short assignment will be graded as A+ , A, or zero. If you get a zero, it means your work appears to have beendone at the last minute, with very little learning or thought. A zero will count just as much as not turning it in, so if you can't do a good job, please don't bother turning it in.