Analyzing the IS 2010 Model Curriculum for Evidence of the Systems Approach
Academic Article
Overview
Overview
Abstract
The systems approach is frequently associated with solving large-scale, complex problems and is regarded as a foundation for systems engineering and decision-making. Components of the systems approach – problem definition/framing, generation of alternative solutions, evaluation of alternatives – are too frequently missing from information systems programs in business schools. The purpose of this paper is to determine the degree to which the IS 2010: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs contains the systems approach in its learning objectives as well as specific course content. Searching the curricula of a large number of programs at universities looking for instances of the systems approach in the curriculum is one way to measure this component. But examining the curriculum guidelines allows us to make a preliminary judgment concerning evidence of the systems approach having a broad implementation across information systems programs. Our methodology first identifies a priori terms and themes associated with the systems approach in the principles, guiding assumptions, and key elements sections of the IS 2010 curriculum and then analyzes the curriculum course content to uncover the frequency and location of resultant themes associated with the systems approach. The paper concludes with a discussion of the importance of the systems approach in the IS curriculum, the interrelationship between creativity and the systems approach, and establishing the systems approach as a theme in the curriculum of IS programs.
