American Consumer Culture, Fall 2007

Abstract:

This class examines how and why twentieth-century Americans came to define the “good life” through consumption, leisure, and material abundance. We will explore how such things as department stores, nationally advertised brand-name goods, mass-produced cars, and suburbs transformed the American economy, society, and politics. The course is organized both thematically and chronologically. Each period deals with a new development in the history of consumer culture. Throughout we explore both celebrations and critiques of mass consumption and abundance.

Subject:

Humanities, Social Sciences

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

MIT OpenCourseWare

Business Processes and Information Technology

Abstract:

Business Processes and Information Technology prepares students to effectively use, manage, and participate in the development of information technology applications in support of common business processes. The text focuses on the interconnections among an organization’s management, business processes, information systems, and information technology. An emphasis is given throughout the text to the governance, control, and security of business processes and information systems, especially underlying financial information systems. After studying this text, a student will walk away with an understanding of the foundation tools and knowledge required for the analysis, design, and control of IT-driven business processes using current and emergent technologies.

Subject:

Business

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Global Text Project

Craigslist and the Economy: Predicting Unemployment and Foreclosure Trends from Online Classified Advertisements

Abstract:

In this paper we present findings of an experimental study of Craigslist.org involving nearly 4 million raw online classified advertisements to infer key economic indicators. First, we investigate the potential of using Craigslist information to predict the state of the national and local economy by analyzing user behavior and posting trends in some key categories. We show that the number of posts for jobs available/wanted reflects the actual trends reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We examine the potential of predicting unemployment and home foreclosure rates from online classified advertisements in geographically localized peer production communities. We show that there is a strong correlation between the number of houses posted for sale, the number of jobs available/wanted and the actual state of the local and national economy. Finally, we analyze job posts in 32 categories and day to day changes and conclude the “recession proof jobs” and jobs highly affected by the recent economic meltdown.

Subject:

Business, Mathematics and Statistics, Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Connexions

Data Mining, Spring 2003

Abstract:

Introduces students to a class of methods known as data mining that assists managers in recognizing patterns and making intelligent use of massive amounts of electronic data collected via the internet, e-commerce, electronic banking, point-of-sale devices, bar-code readers, and intelligent machines. Topics covered: subset selection in regression, collaborative filtering, tree-structured classification and regression, cluster analysis, and neural network methods. Examples of successful applications in areas such as credit ratings, fraud detection, database marketing, customer relationship management, and investments and logistics are covered. Hands-on experimentation with data-mining software is used. Data that has relevance for managerial decisions is accumulating at an incredible rate due to a host of technological advances. Electronic data capture has become inexpensive and ubiquitous as a by-product of innovations such as the internet, e-commerce, electronic banking, point-of-sale devices, bar-code readers, and intelligent machines. Such data is often stored in data warehouses and data marts specifically intended for management decision support. Data mining is a rapidly growing field that is concerned with developing techniques to assist managers to make intelligent use of these repositories. A number of successful applications have been reported in areas such as credit rating, fraud detection, database marketing, customer relationship management, and stock market investments. The field of data mining has evolved from the disciplines of statistics and artificial intelligence. This course will examine methods that have emerged from both fields and proven to be of value in recognizing patterns and making predictions from an applications perspective. We will survey applications and provide an opportunity for hands-on experimentation with algorithms for data mining using easy-to- use software and cases.

Subject:

Business

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

MIT OpenCourseWare

Distance Learning: Promise or Threat?

Abstract:

Once the stepchild of the academy, distance learning is finally taken seriously. But not in precisely the way early innovators like myself had hoped. It is not faculty who are in the forefront of the movement to network education. Instead politicians, university administrations and computer and telecommunications companies have decided there is money in it. But proposals for a radical "retooling" of the university emanating from these sources are guaranteed to provoke instant faculty hostility.

E-Business/E-Commerce+E-Services Teil 1

Abstract:

Eine Einführung in die Grundlagen des E-Business. Der erste Teil behandelt die Informationsgesellschaft und die Internetökonomie. Der zweite Teil erklärt - auf dem ersten Teil aufbauend - die Begriffe E-Business, E-Commerce und E-Services.

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Secondary, Post-secondary

Collection:

SciVee

E-Business/E-Commerce+E-Services Teil 2

Abstract:

Eine Einführung in die Grundlagen des E-Business. Der zweite Teil erklärt - auf dem ersten Teil aufbauend - die Begriffe E-Business, E-Commerce und E-Services. Der erste Teil behandelt die Informationsgesellschaft und die Internetökonomie.

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Secondary, Post-secondary

Collection:

SciVee

E-Commerce and the Internet in Real Estate and Construction, Spring 2004

Abstract:

Examines the long term effects of information technology on business strategy in the real estate and construction industry. Considerations include: supply chain, allocation of risk, impact on contract obligations and security, trends toward consolidation, and the convergence of information transparency and personal effectiveness. Resources are drawn from the world of dot.com entrepreneurship and "old economy" responses. Taught by case study method and grading is based on class participation and papers.

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

MIT OpenCourseWare

Economics and E-commerce, Fall 2000

Abstract:

Uses theoretical models and studies of "old economy" industries to help understand the growth and future of electronic commerce. Models of pricing, product differentiation, price discrimination, barriers entry, network externalities, and search provide a framework for thinking about e-businesses and the effect of the Internet on a variety of industries. Lessons drawn from studies of past innovators in technological and nontechnological industries. Models of speculative bubbles and historical examples discussed.

Subject:

Social Sciences

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

MIT OpenCourseWare

Electronic Commerce: The Strategic Perspective

Abstract:

This book is written both for practitioners and business students. Managers wishing to understand how electronic commerce is revolutionizing business will find that our comprehensive coverage of essential business issues (e.g., pricing and distribution) answers many of their questions. Advanced business students (junior, seniors, and graduate students) will find that the blend of academic structure and practical examples provides an engaging formula for learning. 115 page pdf.

Subject:

Business

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Global Text Project

Field Seminar in International Political Economy, Fall 2003

Abstract:

Review of IPE field covering previous and core research focusing on dual national objectives in a global context, namely pursuit of power and pursuit of wealth. Surveys major paradigms of international political economy, including neoclassical economics, development and ecological economics, lateral pressure, and perspectives and structural views of power relations. Examines interaction of politics and economics on international trade, capital flows, foreign investment, intellectual property rights, international migration, and select issues in foreign economic policy in global context. Examines the evolution of international economic institutions and attendant political implications. Open to undergraduates by permission of instructor.

Subject:

Social Sciences

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

SubTopics:

Business & Economics

Collection:

MIT OpenCourseWare

Information Technology and the Networked Economy

Abstract:

The beginning of the 21st century has seen a rapid change from the industrial economy to a networked economy built on computers, connectivity, and human knowledge. The networked economy is characterized by rapidly changing market conditions and methods of commerce. Instead of leveraging human strength with machines as was done in the industrial economy, the networked economy leverages human knowledge with computers and connectivity to produce goods and services.

The networked economy requires that organizations concentrate on improving their organizational productivity rather than worrying about personal productivity. To meet the needs of tomorrow's organizations, colleges and universities must immediately begin to prepare students to work in the networked economy. The second edition of Information Technology and the Networked Economy is aimed at providing today's business students with the knowledge of the networked economy necessary to be successful employees and managers in the 21st century.

Subject:

Business

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Global Text Project

Information Technology for Management

Abstract:

This book is designed for business students with no particular background in information systems. Its primary goal is to help prepare students to assume an active and significant role in the management, design, and use of information technology. This edition stresses the changes enabled by IT. Each chapter begins with a short Focus on Change because technology is creating dramatic changes in the way individuals, work groups, organizations, and even governments function.

Subject:

Business

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Global Text Project

The Law of the Internet

Abstract:

The Internet is at once a constructive and disruptive technology. As more and more of our lives move online, we are faced with opportunities to do new and amazing things. Concurrently, we encounter problems that no one anticipated as we collectively built the internet as we know it today. This seminar will consider some of the most intriguing of the issues to which the advent of the internet has given and continues to give rise. It will focus on a cluster of topics about which any computer user likely knows a good deal already: spam, spyware, peer-to-peer file sharing, personal privacy, and e-commerce. It will also venture into a few issues-like blogging, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), social software, and internet filtering-that may be less familiar. The internet and the practice of law are both increasingly global in nature, so the seminar will take special care to delve into basic topics in international law. A specific series of laws, regulations and policies related to online activities continues to evolve. In particular, the seminar will focus on the law of intellectual property related to the Internet-whether the IP relates to code, commercial data, music or other content-which has broad and complex application for anyone using the internet in the current multi-jurisdictional world. We'll consider who makes the laws in an environment that crosses national borders by its very nature and where enforcement is an extremely tricky matter. We will imagine what these new technologies might do to culture in the United States and to other cultures throughout the world, particularly those in developing countries. Participants should be willing to experiment with new information technologies in a learning environment.

Subject:

Social Sciences

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Harvard Law School

Mindset Learn

Abstract:

South African aligned curriculum materials

Subject:

Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Secondary

Collection:

Individual Authors

New For Profit Web Site Repackages Free Lecture Videos from Colleges

Abstract:

A new company called Academic Earth offers free online videos of lectures from universities participating in the Opencourseware project. Can a for-profit company do this? Read the story from the Chronicle of Higher Education and discussion posts that follow.

Open-Of-Course

Abstract:

Multilingual portal for free and open content courses and tutorials that people can benefit from in daily life. Educators can also add their own educational content to the system. The content at the moment consists mainly of language and computer related material. Not all content is multilingual.

Subject:

Business, Humanities, Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Secondary, Post-secondary

Collection:

Open-of-Course

Phishing Scams in Plain English

Abstract:

A short guide to recognizing and avoiding phishing scams.

Subject:

Business, Humanities, Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Primary, Secondary, Post-secondary

Collection:

Common Craft

Practicum in Enterprise Security

Abstract:

In this course, students act as new employees (as enterprise security technicians) in a dynamic, rapidly growing, online real estate auction company called C-Bay. Their jobs, as members of a team of four technicians, is to solve real-life security problems at C-Bay. They are active learners, engaging in hands-on tasks such as analyzing C-Bay's security policy, assessing network problems, monitoring a network, responding to network attacks, educating users, and developing emergency response.

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Sofia - Foothill De Anza College