International Telecommunications

Course Syllabus and Schedule

ITRN 772 sec. 001 Fall 2002 Tue. 7:20-10:00PM Arlington Campus – RM 257	International Commerce & Policy George Mason University
Instructor: Dr. Rainer Sommer Associate Professor Public Policy and Systems Engineering The School of Public Policy / Policy Analysis Center e-mail rsommer@gmu.edu	Office: Finley Rm 100 - Main Campus Phone: 993-2267, Hours: After class and by appointment only

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to the multi-domain discipline of International Telecommunications. From a business perspective, information is regarded as an organizational resource that is no different from raw materials, machines, and manpower. In order to achieve its goals and gain optimum competitive advantage from its resources, an organization must develop and deploy increasingly complex voice and data networks. To this end, the modern telecommunications architecture represents a complex structure that draws expertise from many diverse disciplines such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Human-Factors Engineering. Although this list is not at all inclusive, it should provide some insight into the complex technologies that must be understood when planning and designing such networks. In this course we will learn about these diverse technologies; how they influence the modern organization, and what the future holds for global business transactions.

Unlike computer science or engineering students who must develop highly detailed skills and knowledge to design, integrate and deploy specific aspects of telecommunication networks, business and public policy students must be prepared to understand a broad range of telecommunications concepts. It is expected that by focusing on a breadth of telecommunication concepts, their specific causal effects with international law, public policy, and business transactions, this course will graduate technologically literate public/private sector managers and policy analysts who can communicate effectively in both the business as well as the technology sectors.

Course Objectives

This course is designed as an overview. You will not be required to demonstrate engineering or information systems expertise. However, we will...

develop a working vocabulary, along with a sound conceptual understanding of the most common telecommunications technologies and standards that are implemented by many local and long distance carriers,

identify the capabilities, typical uses, and the limitations of such technologies,

understand the concepts and uses of specific categories of telecommunications systems, such as Local and Wide Area Data Networks, Communications Protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, SSL, X.25), Packet and Circuit Switching Techniques, Signaling Technologies, Digital Transmission (Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Switched Multi-Megabit Data Service, etc.), and Future Telecommunications Trends, and

explore the effects of the telecommunications industry de-regulation from a domestic and international perspective (i.e. what affect did the Telecommunications ACT of 1996 have on domestic as well as international carriers, and what was the benefit/cost to business)

Textbooks

The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (1995, William J. Drake, Editor, Paperback Edition) Brookings Institute; ISBN: 0870783661

The Internet Upheaval: Raising Questions, Seeking Answers in Communications Policy, (2000, Ingo Vogelsang (Editor), Benjamin M. Compaine (Editor) MIT Press; ISBN: 0262220636

Projects, Examinations, and Grading

Mid-Term Examination: 25%

Project Term Paper: 25%

Final Examination: 35%

Class Participation/Discussion: 15%

________

Total 100%

Mid-Term Examination: Mostly short discussion questions to test your conceptual knowledge of the material we have covered to date. If you do all of the assigned homework readings and participate in class, this examination will not be difficult.

Project Term Paper: You will be required to choose a relevant telecommunications topic that is of interest to you, and prepare a 20 Page term project paper. This means that you must deliver 20 pages of well researched material, and that does not include the Introduction, Abstract, Conclusion and Bibliography. Please choose your topic by the end of the 6th week of class. At that time you will hand-in a simple, one paragraph introduction to the topic.

Include:

Why you chose the topic.

Why it is of importance in the international telecom arena.

You will have to hand in a draft of the project paper by early October (see schedule). At that time you should be well into developing the final report.

This is your chance to show your research, analytical, organizational, and written skills. Start early and don't procrastinate !!!

Final Examination (Take Home): By this time you should be familiar with many new terms and concepts along with developing your own ideas about the subject of Telecommunication (your term paper should have helped greatly to increase your conceptual knowledge). The final exam will therefore be in essay format and will allow you to demonstrate your newly acquired knowledge and skills. The exam will test your understanding of the readings as well as the technological concepts that we have covered in class.

Readings: We will use every other class meeting to discuss selected readings from the Vogelsang & Compaine and Drake papers. Depending on the size of the class, each of you will sign-up and present one or two selected reading to the class for discussion.

Class Participation/Discussion: You can't learn if you don't participate, or if you don't show up for class! Since there will only be informal role calls, it is wise to show up for class meetings. Remember, you get 15% of your grade for just showing up and participating !!!

Course Policies

1. Attendance and up-to-date lecture notes are your responsibility.

2. No late or make-up exams are given unless the appropriate arrangements have been made well in advance with the instructor.

3. Assignments are to be handed in at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Late assignments will be accepted up to the start of the following class session, but with a 20% penalty. Assignments that are not turned in after this grace period will not be accepted.

4. No incomplete grades will be given, and the GMU honor code will be in effect.

Spring ‘02 Semester Schedule

	Week (Days)		Topic(s)		Readings Due		Hand-ins Due
Week 1 Aug. 27		Intro. Telecommunication Networks		None		None
Week 2 Sept. 3		Client Server ERP Software Architectures		Drake 1,2 Vogelsang 1,2
Week 3 Sept. 10		Class Presentations and Discussion
Week 4 Sept. 17		Data Networks		Drake 3,4 Vogelsang 3,4
Week 5 Sept. 24		Data Security & Firewall Technology (Mr. David Bailey)
Week 6 Oct. 1		Class Presentations and Discussion		Drake 5,6 Vogelsang 5,7		Term Paper - single paragraph outline is due.
Week 7 Oct. 8		Long Haul Communication - Exam Review
Week 8 Oct. 15		No Class
Week 9 Oct. 22		Mid Term Exam				Term Paper draft outline is due
Week 10 Oct. 29		Frame Relay/X.25 Networks
Week 11 Nov. 5		Class Presentations and Discussion		Drake 7,8 Vogelsang 8,9
Week 12 Nov. 12		Satellite Services (Technology, Standards)
Week 13 Nov. 19		Class Presentations and Discussion		Drake 9,10 Vogelsang 11, 14
Week 14 Nov. 26		Optimizing the Extended Enterprise
Week 15 Dec. 3		- Class Presentations and Discussion.		Drake 11,12 Vogelsang 15,16		Term Paper is due
Final Exam Dec. 10		Final Exam