Difference between IT and IS?

Following up on the enigma of Information Systems at San Francisco State, I spoke with Dr. Beckman, a really awesome professor here, especially in lectures, vast knowledge, good attitude and charisma, and strong professionalism, both as a professor, and coupled strong industry experience.

So, what is the difference between IT (Information Technology) and IS (Information System)?

Essentially information systems are all the technologies used by an organization to control and manage information, which includes people, data, and policies.  Information technologies, however, refer to the actual technologies used to control and manage information, which includes the hardware, software, and networks used in the information systems.

Information Systems teaches both IS and IT with the focus more oriented toward IS.  As the actual technologies vary from one organization to another, SFSU should not focus strictly on one technology or another.  Specifically, in a course ISYS 464 Managing Enterprise Data, taught by Dr. Beckman, the foucs is not on any particular brand of database, and is oriented toward database design. Students that complete ISYS 464 could reasonably apply for a job labeled as "Database Designer", but not for a job labeled "Database Administrator".  The former is not generally tied to a particular technology whereas the latter definitely is.

(Note: Used actual quotes that are in highlighted text as the material is described so succintly)