IT in Emerging Countries

Summary of the Course

Apply for this course
Text Book and Printed Resources
Prerequisites
Grading
Teaching Method

Global IT Project
Course Credit and Tentative Schedule

Deliverables due date (See COL)

Previous Trips

Living Arrangements and Program Cost

Tentative Detailed Schedule (see COL)

Summary of the course:

The objective of the course is to expose students to the reality of information technology (IT) in an emerging/developing country. Technology played a significant role in most of the emerging economies of the late 1990's and 2000's. Revenue from product and IT services to emerging countries is over $70 billion. Brazil is of high interest because it is an emerging economic country with extreme contrasts. While it is a country with tremendous resources, richness and IT capabilities, it is also a country with a very high level of poverty. This course will expose students to IT use, management, development, policy and strategic impact within the Brazilian economy and its impact internationally. Students will visit several companies and meet with various IT stakeholders in the organization (users, developers, managers, IT strategic and policy implementers etc.) who will explain their practices and strategies to the students. In addition to learning about the history and development of technology in Brazil, students will also learn about the culture of Brazil and the role of technology in the country's economic development. The course will also examine the necessary success factors for US-based companies planning to setup an IT center in Brazil.

Textbooks and printed resources:

1. There will be some case studies and articles (See COL)

Pre-Requisites:

Individual reflection paper 10%
Assignments 20%
Attendance and active participation at all meeting 30%

Group project and presentation 40%

Research Paper  15%

Total 100%

Grading Scale: 92 - 100 A 90 - 91 A- 88 - 89 B+ 82 - 87 B 80 - 81 B- 78 - 79 C+ 72 - 77 C 70 - 71 C- 68 - 69 D+ 62 - 67 D 60 - 61 D- 0 - 59 F

Teaching Method:

A combination of teaching methods will be used including lectures, guest speakers, group presentations, and company visits in Brazil (Here are some of the locations we have visited in the past (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Florianopolis, Curitiba and Buenos Aires in Argentina).

Credit and Tentative schedule

The program starts with several pre-departure sessions and continues through the winter term with meetings scheduled after the trip. Students participating in the program will register for one four-credit course. Undergraduates register for IT 398 which fulfills the Junior Year Experiential Learning requirement. Depending on their concentration, graduate students may register for ECT 596, IS 596, or IT 599. Circumstances, such as an unexpected event abroad or a curriculum change, may require DePaul University to make changes to the program. DePaul University reserves the right to cancel or alter programs and courses without notice.

Class 2 

Lecture Notes

Session 1 and 2 will also cover other important topics like visa requirements, safety, extra money etc.

Class 3 

Lecture Notes

Session 3:  (in Brazil) The group will meet for dinner to discuss the upcoming meetings for the week. I will go over safely issues and what not to do.

Class 4

Lecture Notes

Session 4: (in Brazil) The group will visit one or two companies. Locations varies and it is yet to be determined.

Class 5

Lecture Notes

Session 5: (in Brazil) The group will visit one or two American or Brazilian companies and listen to the companies’ IT executives, directors and developers.

Class 6 

Lecture Notes

Session 6: (in Brazil) Company visit or observation of IT impact on society. Visit to a local university.

Class 7

Lecture Notes

Session 7: (in Brazil) Company visit

Class 8

Lecture Notes

Session 8: (in Brazil) Company visit

Class 9

Lecture Notes

Session 9: (Chicago) Students will present their papers and results of their research projects. Reelection of the trip.  etc.

Class 10

Living Arrangements Program Cost:

Program Costs In addition to DePaul tuition for 4 credit hours, costs include a program fee (TBA), which covers round-trip airfare, study abroad health insurance, hotel accommodations, breakfasts and some group meals.

Students must plan their budgets to cover textbooks, passport and visa fees, additional meals, and personal expenses