CLASS SYLLABUS - MARKETING POLICY
University of North Alabama
 
Dr. Gerald Crawford, Office, Keller Hall - Room 317
MK 498-01, Spring 1998, Thursday 6-8:45 p.m. (Room K322)
 
Class Web Site Address:  http://www2.una.edu/gcrawford/mk498/498index.htm
Professor's E-mail address:  UNA1GLC@hotmail.com

Objectives of Course:

This is a senior level course and should be taken as the last marketing course before graduation. MK 360, MK 362 and MK 479 are required, but it is much better to have had several other courses such as MK 476 (Consumer Behavior), MK 492 (Retailing), and MK 491 (International Marketing). The Policy class generally begins where these courses, especially Marketing Research, leave off. The first objective is to provide an environment in which the student can see how all of the pieces from previous marketing courses fit together, and work together, in theory and practice.

Second, the course should help students learn how successful business people communicate in their thinking, writing, and speaking.

Third, the course should help students learn how to solve everyday marketing problems that business people face.

Fourth, the course should provide insight into various marketing positions or job opportunities so that students can be better prepared to enter the field of marketing.

Fifth, to help students understand and learn to use the Internet for business purposes.

And last, to give students the confidence they need to enter the job market and to grow as their knowledge, abilities and desire permit.

 These objectives will be accomplished through class lectures, student recitations, team assignments, cases, simulations, an occasional speaker, outside assignments on the Internet, and term research projects using the Internet.

Expectations:

An open classroom approach will be employed. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions, but are not required to do so. As with most "higher-level" type courses, emphasis will be on the total learning environment rather than memorizing dry facts and taking tests.  

Class attendance and assignment completion are essential. It is the student's responsibility to consult the course agenda and make sure that all preparation is finished prior to each class meeting. Please see your professor during office hours for assistance or direction on various projects.

Professors make a special effort to arrive on time--students are requested to do the same. If your professor must be out of town on university business, arrangements will be made in advance for the class.

Required Materials:

Marketing Management, 9th Ed., 1997, By Philip Kotler

Access to the Internet through the UNA Computer Center or through an independent service provider such as AOL, HiWAAY, or Odyssey

Grading:

There are two student options for earning a grade in this class.

The first is a traditional system wherein each student attends class, turns in assigned projects and takes tests.  No participation is required. Students can earn whatever grade they want, depending on their scores. Grades are assigned on the base of 100 (ie. 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, etc.) It will be assumed that the traditional grading system has been selected if a student does not volunteer for presentations and become involved in class discussions during the first month of class (as explained under "interactive" below.) Grades are computed on the following basis:

The second option is an interactive system in which students elect to become active participants in the learning environment.  Students volunteer for presentations and accumulate "points" for making these presentations. They also earn points on tests, and term papers, for attendance, and for participation. These points are simply totaled at mid-term and the end of the semester. Grades are not averaged on a base of 100. (Some tests, for example, may have only 50 possible points.) At the end of the semester, students with total points in the top ten percent of the participative group, based on the highest number of points earned by class members, will get A's, the next ten percent will get B's, the third ten percent will get C's, and so on. Under the participative system, grades (for participative students) change daily as others make presentations and earn more points.  While this system is thought to be more effective in teaching desirable workplace skills, it can present problems.  Passive students, accustomed to the traditional non-participative classroom environment, may not realize that they are "in trouble" until the course is half over, and then it may be too late to catch up and earn the desired grade.  It is easy to sit back and relax while the more motivated students volunteer for additional assignments.

The professor will be pleased to discuss your grade and standing in the class at your convenience. Generally, however, the following activities will be apportioned to provide opportunities to gain points as shown below in percentages:

  • class tests, objective and discussion................50%
  • "On-Time" attendance and participation bonus.........10%
  • Voluntary recitations and assignments................30%
  • Term paper or research project.......................10%
    • Legal Stuff:

    All materials, projects, and tests handed in during the course become the property of the University. It is suggested that copies be made of the material before it is handed in for evaluation. Further, every effort is made to treat each student equally. Students are graded solely on class performance and not factors unrelated to classroom performance.

    It is the policy of the University of North Alabama to afford equal opportunity in education to qualified students. If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor within the first three class sessions to file a Student Disability Statement and to develop an accommodation plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations will be made to allow you to meet the requirements, provided that you are timely in working with the instructor to develop an accommodation plan.

    Your Professor's Office Hours (Keller 317): For Fall term, 1997