INFORMATION

The information posted on this site addresses the syllabus information required by Texas House Bill 2504.  The complete syllabus will contain more information than is noted here, including the class withdrawal policy, class participation requirements, scholastic dishonesty, and other important information.  The entire syllabus is in the Blackboard site for this course.

On August 21, 2020, this syllabus may be altered.  The offical syllabus for this course will be located in Blackboard.  Changes may occur due to change of assignments.

                     MRKG 1302 Principles of Retailing

16 Week Semester

DLS (Synchronous Virtual Class Meetings Required) Updated  June 30, 2020 for

2020 Fall Semester 09248 003

1. Instructor Information:

    Professor:   Nick Sarantakes

    Office          Room 1428.05 Highland Mall Center

                        Austin, TX

   Phone:          512.223.7455

Due to the COVID 19 virus, the best way to contact me will be by email.  Office hours at my office will be limited.to appointments              

    E-Mail          sarantak@austincc.edu  

   Office Hrs    See Schedule link and postings above.

    Blackboard Web site: http://acconline.austincc.edu/

    Instructor’s Web Site: www.austincc.edu/sarantak

2. Course Description:

MRKG 1302 Principles of Retailing (3-3-0) Introduction to the retailing environment and its relationship to consumer demographics, trends, and traditional/nontraditional retailing markets.  The employment of retailing techniques and the factors that influence modern retailing.

3. Required Text/Materials:

Retailing Management by Levy & Weitz, 10th edition, Publisher: McGraw Hill.  In addition to the text, a Connect Access Card is required.  The e-text and Connect can be purchased and is part of the FDA (First Day Access) and the cost is included in the tuition. 

Instructions on how to log in to have access to your e-text and Connect Access Code wil lbe provided in the Syllabus that is on Blackboard

The MRKG 1302 Principles of Retailing Syllabus that is for the 16week semesters and is posted on Blackboard web site and my web site. All deadlines and assignments must be ment.

4. Orientation for DLS Principles of Retailing:

DLS (Synchronous Virtual Class Meetings are required)  Course instruction is online.  Course instruction includes required time virtual class meetings on the days and times listed.  Tests will be taken on line.  Online courses eliminate geography as a factor. 

A computer is required to be used in this course and it must have a web cam.  Students will be at their locations and the instructor will be at his location.  Discussions and lectures will be conducted using Blackboard Collaborate software.  Tests will be taken using Respondus Lockdown Browser software.

I would strongly recommend that you re-read the syllabus a number of times during the semester and write down the test and project dates so you will not forget them. 

In addition you should read the Announcements Link on the Blackboard web site once every week or 10 days, since I will be using this feature to communicate to the class as a whole.  These announcements will also be sent to students by email using their ACC Gmail account.  Students should check this email account or take action to have all their emails at this address forwarded to their preferred email address.  Check IT for instructions on how to do this.

5. Instructional Methodology:

A. This section is virtual class meeting section and students will be require to be availale for the class during the established times.a print based open campus self study course.   There are deadlines for all tests and projects.

B. The Backboard and Blackboard Collaborate software will be used in this course to submit projects, find out grades, and announcements.  This is mandatory.  For those students that are not familiar with is software, you can obtain detail instructions on: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/student.html   If you have any anxiety over this or problems with Blackboard, please contact me.

The student is required to make continuous progress in this course.  That means meeting deadlines for tests and assignments.  If you can not meet a deadline, please contact me and an extension will be given in writing if warranted.  Failure to make progress may result in the student being withdrawn from the course by the instructor.

6. Course Rationale:

1. Retail is one of the largest sectors in the global economy.  Retail also is a vital part of marketing.  All of us are affected by retailing, either by being a customer or involved in the retailing phase of marketing. Retailing is going through a period of exciting, dramatic change. Technology through the Internet has created E-Commerce, E-Buzz, or E-tailing as the media calls it or Interactive home shopping as our authors call it.  Due to these exciting and changing technologies, customer demographics and other challenged in the retail industry, traditional retailers are discovering they must adapt to these future changes or go out of business.

1. The course will be a detail and in-depth look at the world of retail management. From store location, buying merchandise, to having a web page on the Internet, the student must understand the basics to this essential element of marketing. 
2. Six important developments in retailing that will be addressed and stressed are:
3. Evolving role of the internet in retailing.
4. Greater emphasis on the social responsibility of retailing.
5. Increasing emphasis retailers are placing on developing exclusive brands.
6. Use of technology and analytical methods of decisions.
7. Globalization
8. Entrepreneurship and opportunities in retailing.

Although some of you may have had experience in retailing in your lives as non-management employees, this course will be offered with the view that someone will be entering the retail industry at a management level where the compensation is excellent.

Retailing is not just about textbook learning; it challenges the student to use their critical and creative skills in all aspects of working and managing in a retail environment and not just hose covered in the text.  The student will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills learning in this course to real world situations.

7. Course Objectives/Outcomes:

1. Common Course Learning Objectives:
   1. Understand the impact of retailing industry on the business world, and on individuals. 
   2. Understand how technology has changed and is changing retailing.
   3. Understand the detail of retailing and retail management and how that impacts and improves the rate of the success of a retail operation.
2. Individual Instructor Objectives/Outcomes:
   1. Understand the detail chapter objectives that are listed at the beginning of each chapter.
   2. Understand the techniques and strategies employed in retailing
   3. Understand the subject of human resources management and its importance and impact on a retail operation.
   4. Understand how location decisions, vendor selections, pricing, and merchandising impact a retail operation.

8. Grading systems:

Testing:  There are 4 exams for this course.  This Fall Semester, multiple choice tests will be taken at the students' home using their computers and Respondus Lockdown Browser software..  Student's computer must be equipt with a web cam.

2. The tests will be made up multiple choice and /or short answer questions.  The multiple choice (M/C) part of the test will be taken at student's home using  Respondus Software.  The essay part of the tests are taken at home and submitted in Blackoard.

3    The exam will be made up have approximately 60 Multiple-Choice questions.           Each will be worth 3 points.In addition to the multiple choice questions that will be taken at the testing centes, there is also test essay questions that will be taken at home and sumitted in Blackboard.   In additional there will be approximately 8 to 10 short answer questions in which you will be required to answer 5.  Each of these questions will be worth 4 points each.  You may answer 2  additional questions for extra or bonus credit (4 points maximum per extra bonus questions.)

The student may obtain exam grades by going to My grades in Blackboard and looking up their exam grade.in the My Grades section of Blackboard.  All exams must be completed prior to the posted closing times of the testing centers, so give your self ample time to complete the exam.

 Students taking the exams by the deadline will earn a bonus of 5 points per exam.

1. Grading:

Each M/C test is worth 180 points  (4 Tests)                                                                  720 points

Essay part of each test (5 questions X 4 points= 20 Points X 4 Tests)                     80 points      

Other graded assignments  

Connect Applied Tests 4 each valued at 20 points each                                             80 points

Chapter Assignments (17 Chapter Assignments in Connect

each valued at 5points each)                                                                                            85 points

1 Case Study                                                                                                                        25 points

2 Discussion Boards (each worth 5 points each)                                                         10 points

 Total points                                                                                                                           1000

In addition each student may receive up to 50 points of bonus credit.  See the Extra Credit, Paragraph 18 below.

Test letter Grades (combined multiple choice and essay parts of the test)

A= 200 to 180 points

B= 179 to 160 points

C= 159 to 140 points

D= 139 to 120 points

F= Below 120 points

Semester letter grades will be earned based on the following points:

A= 1000 to 900 points

B= 899 to 800 points

C= 799 to 700 points

D= 699 to 600 points

Below 600 points

C. You can obtain your grades by logging on the grade section of the Blackboard software and follow the instructions.

9. Testing Center Policy

The testing centers will not be available for this course due to the COVID 19 virus.

10. Course Outline

See Table of Contents below on page 11.

11. Deadlines and dates:

See Syllabus on Blackboard web site

12. Test Review Notes:

Test Review notes are located in the Course Content section on Blackboard

13. Power Point Slides:

Power point slides are located in the Course Content Section on Blackboard.

14. Withdrawals:

It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course if the situation so dictates.  You should initiate the withdrawal from in accordance with the procedures at any Admissions Office at any campus.  See the Schedule or the ACC Calendar for this date.  Failure to successfully complete the course or withdraw from the course will result in a grade of  “F” which will become part of the student’s permanent record.

Instructor may withdraw a student for lack of progress or failure to take tests and submit required assignments

15. Connect Chapter Assignment:

Each chapter has a Connect Learn Smart element that is a required assignment.  This assignment will be completed using the Connect Software.

16. Connect Applied Tests:

There are 4 Connect Applied Tests that are required to be taken in addition to the tests to be taken at the testing centers and the test essay part.

17. Case Study Analysis Assignment:

You have to complete 1 case study for this project. See Schedule when this project is due.   It will be worth a maximum of 25 points.

The case assigned will be announced after the semester starts in Blackboard.

For those that are unfamiliar with the case method of instruction or analysis you may call me after you read the following:

Generally, the case method of instruction or analysis is a real world situation in which you are asked to answer specific questions. Some of the information to answer the questions may come from the case itself.  In addition you may have to apply knowledge from several chapters to answer the questions.

I have found that the best format to insure that all aspects of the questions have been answered is to write the question down and then answer the questions.

18. Discussion Boards:

This assignment will be explained in detail after the semester starts.

19. Incomplete Grades

You are encouraged to complete this course successfully, therefore incomplete grades are rarely granted.  Past experience reflects students who do not complete the necessary work during the semester they are registered in will not complete the course even if additional time is given.  In these cases the incomplete grade of “I” becomes a “F” grade.  However if the situations exist, I may grand the grade of incomplete, “I”.   To receive this temporary grade of “I” you must:

• Have completed 2 exams with at grade of C or better and 1 of the 3 projects.
• Request the “I” grade to the instructor and complete the necessary forms.
• Complete the course in the time allowed by the instructor.  Failure to complete the material in the allowed time will result in the “I” grade being changed to a grade of “F”.

20. Extra Credit Work:

A. Each student will be able to earn 50 bonus or additional points toward their final grade.  Extra credit must be submitted by the deadline listed in the schedule through out the semester.

21. Course Policies:

Concealed Handgun Policy:

A. This is a new policy.  There is a short video that apperson the botton right hand side of the Blackbaord site for this course.  All should view this short 4.5 minute video so they will become familiar with this new policy.  This policy ensures compliance with the Texas GovernmentCode while maintaining ACC's commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, and visitors.

B. Incomplete Policy:  An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances.  Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all exams and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstance that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.   The student must sign a contract, which will specify the amount of time they have to complete the course, which will normally be 4 weeks.

See paragraph 17 for more specific details for this instructor.

C. Attendance Policy:  Since this is an Open Campus course, this police are not applicable.  However, tests and other projects will have deadlines and they are expected to be taken or submitted on time.

D. Withdrawal Policy:  It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course.  Instructors are allowed to withdraw students but students must not rely on their instructors to withdraw them if they wish to withdraw.

E. Academic Freedom Statement:  Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class.  In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn.  On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor.  It is expected than faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

F. Scholastic Dishonesty Statement: Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.  Violation of scholastic dishonesty will be results in receiving an F on the test and/or project and a possible failure in the course, determined by circumstances.

G. Students with Disabilities Statement:  Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations trough the office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do these three weeks before the start of the semester.

H.  Rule of Three:  Per state law, effective Spring 2006, any student taking a class for the 3rd time or more may be charged an additional $60 per credit hour unless exempted.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has mandated that all publicly funded higher education institutions will not receive funding for courses a student takes for the 3rd time.  Without the state funding for those affected classes, ACC will charge additional tuition cover the cost for these classes.  The new Rule of Tree tuition will not apply to developmental courses and special studies courses in which the content changes each semester.

I. Serious Consequences for Receiving “W” in a Course:  The Texas Legislature has now, for the second session in a row, instituted some substantial consequences for students who withdraw from courses.  Students have traditionally thought of a “W” as a non-penalty grade, thus it is very important that students understand the direction that the state is going about withdrawals so that they can avoid substantial negative consequences later.

The consequences instituted by the state in 2007 states that for freshmen in Fall 2007 and later, there will be a limit of 6 “W’s” that will be permitted in the overall  student’s college career.

                                               Table of Contents

Please refer to the course requirements section of the syllabus in Blackboard dated June 30, 2020.  The Text is listed in the course syllabus.  Check Blackboard course site for latest changes.

Text is Retail Management by Levy & Weitz, McGraw Hill Pub. co.  10th edition.

Please refer to the course requirements section of the syllabus that is located in Lighthous and in Blackboard dated June 30, 2020. Check the Blackboard course site for latest changes

Please refer to the course requirements and objectives section of the syllabus dated June 30, 2020.  Outcomes and objectives are listed there.  Check the Blackboard course site for latest changes