Abstract: IS 2002 is the most recent iteration of the Information Systems (IS) model curriculum. After many years of effort, there is little consensus on the definition and core requirements of IS, or the appropriate use of the model curriculum. This paper reports on our recent experience using IS 2002 to revise an undergraduate IS curriculum. This work exposed similar disagreements and uncertainty among our students and faculty. Focus groups with juniors and seniors presented a variety of opinions on the nature of IS. A survey of faculty about the fundamental objectives of IS 2002 was used to determine faculty ranking of overall goals. We found that IS 2002 provided a useful, practical framework for discussion and structuring of IS course topics, goals, and sequence. The culture of the IS academic field seems to resist conformity to a single curriculum, yet IS 2002 proved in our experience to be a flexible resource easily adapted to our institution's vision of an IS undergraduate degree.

Keywords: IS 2002, Information systems education, Curriculum, Model curriculum, Focus groups

Download this article: JISE - Volume 15 Number 4, Page 409.pdf

Recommended Citation: Dwyer, C. & Knapp, C. A. (2004). How Useful is IS 2002? A Case Study Applying the Model Curriculum. Journal of Information Systems Education, 15(4), 409-416.