Outcome Assessment

The University of Maryland University College Graduate School of Management & Technology (GSMT) has prepared a standard set of outcomes examination questions for this course. These questions are based on course objectives and represent areas of knowledge and application judged to be important for GSMT students. This initiative allows for the assessment of learning comprehension throughout the graduate program and provides important feedback to students, instructors, and course managers on content acquisition. GSMT will use the information gathered from examinations to assist in the continuing refinement of program design.

Students are responsible for all of the questions listed on the following page. Each faculty member has been asked to include one or more of the questions in a closed-book, written examination(s) during the semester. The instructor will not disclose the exact question(s) selected before the actual written examination period. The results from the written examination(s) of one or more questions must represent at least ten percent (10%) of the course grade.

The attached questions are not intended to encompass all components or objectives of this course. Recognizing that not every course objective is best measured through written responses to questions, this course may include other assessment requirements, such as papers, presentations, case analyses, etc. The instructor determines the number and type of course requirements, including the relative weights of each requirement. These are outlined in the course syllabus.

The instructor will choose the question(s) from the attached list for written examination(s). Note that the instructor may increase the number of questions to be tested and may allocate more than 10% for this course requirement. During the examination(s) containing the outcome question(s) students may be asked other questions than those on the attached list. The instructor may or may not provide students with these additional questions before the examination(s) and may choose either open or closed-book format for any other written examination requirement(s).

Outcome Assessment Questions

1. Describe the rationale under which certain telephone companies were (and still are) regulated as monopolies. Describe the alternative rationale that argues for their deregulation. Discuss an important instance in telephony of how antitrust principles were invoked to remedy monopoly abuse.

2. Characterize the current structure of the telecommunications industry as to its various goods and services, the nature of their suppliers, and their applications. What principal legal, regulatory, technological, and standards-making institutions mold this structure?

3. Describe several different ways in which government in the United States influences the telecommunications industry and give an instance of each kind of influence.

4. Imagine that you are responsible for planning the acquisition and use of telecommunications resources over the long term in your large, multinational, multiproduct organization. Explain how any three of the following cross-cutting issues would influence your recommendations.

The trend toward increasing deregulation of the U.S. industry

he trend toward wireless communications technology, both terrestrial and satellite

Security of information and protection of individual privacy

Broadband multimedia and interactive services

The development of an advanced national and global information infrastructure

5. Imagine that you are responsible for planning the telecommunications services to be offered over the long term in your large local exchange operating company. Explain how any three of the following trends would influence your recommendations.

The trend toward price-cap rather than rate-of-return regulation

The lowering of the barrier between provision of carriage and content

The trend permitting participation in previously separate segments of the industry, such as local exchange service, interexchange service, mobile cellular service, cable television, broadcasting, satellites, and equipment manufacture

The development of so-called personal communications services

The technical feasibility of so-called "fiber to the home"
   
   

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