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Course Description and Objectives:

The course will cover all of the basic principles pertinent to the operation of a retail establishment. An additional emphasis will be on the students learning how retailers can utilize the Internet for the benefit of their businesses. As such, students will learn how to prepare a multi-channel retailing strategy, including store strategy, print materials, and basic web pages. These will be prepared for a hypothetical local business.

In addition, students will be exposed to traditional retail topics, such as location theory, merchandising, the 4Ps as they pertain to retailing, the effects of socio-cultural trends on retailing, evolving retail patterns, and more.

Specific objectives for the course:

1. Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of content, as measured on three exams.
2. Students will illustrate their understanding of how to develop a multi-channel retailing strategy for a hypothetical local business.

Required Text:

Retailing Management, 5ed, by Levy and Weitz.

Grade Policy:

Your grade will be determined in the following manner:

Grades will NOT be curved at the end of the term, nor at any other time. The grade you will receive is the direct result of your efforts and outputs in this class.

Teaching Philosophy:

My teaching style is very informal. I have found that the best learning occurs in a classroom free from the encumbrances of rigid and formal guidelines. Although final authority and accountability lay with your professor, do not be surprised when class sessions evolve into a dialog between the professor and students. We can learn something from every individual in the class, be it from my lectures, or your work, travel, or personal experiences. Be prepared to give as much as you will receive.

Exams:

There will be three exams given during the semester. They are NOT cumulative. These exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and numerical computations. The exact composition of each exam will be announced at least one class prior to the exam date. Rescheduling of missed exams will be at the discretion of your professor.

Point Recovery Exercise (PRE): Please click here to access the bonus points exercise.

Group Project:

You will form your own groups of 4-5 individuals, with whom you will be working the duration of the term. Specific details are available here. The project is due on Monday 09 August 2004 at 6:30pm.

Study Guides:

Study Guide 1
Study Guide 2
Study Guide 3

Graduate Students:

Graduate students will have an additional assignment, worth 100 points. This course enhancement is a requirement of the University. You are required to select a major retail chain that uses a multi-channel strategy, and submit a 10-page typewritten (double-spaced) critique of that firm. This critique should include discussion of each facet of their multi-channel approach. You may include an unlimited number of exhibits with your paper to illustrate the company's marketing efforts. You must first get permission from me to critique the proposed company before you begin your work. This paper is due on Monday 09 August 2004 at 6:30pm. The Graduate Student grading scale will thus feature a possible 600 points. The same 90%=A, 80%=B, etc., grading schema will apply.

Other:

I require all students to have an e-mail account, either on campus, or through and off-campus provider. You must provide your professor with your e-mail address not later than the second week of the semester (if it does not already appear on my class roster).

Disabilities:

West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with Disability Support Services and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations.