SYLLABUS

BSNS 4400-01

eCommerce

3 CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 2, 2007-2008

EMMETT DULANEY

 

 

I.                   GENERAL INFORMATION

Class Meetings:           Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays; 12:00 – 12:50

                                    Hardacre Hall, Room 246

Instructor:                   Emmett Dulaney

Office Address:          Falls School of Business

                                    Hardacre Hall, Room 231

                                                Anderson University

                                                Anderson, IN  46012-3495

            Phone:                         765.641.4126

            Email:                          eadulaney@anderson.edu

            Office Hours:              Before class, or by appointment

 

II.                CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students examine the process of buying and selling products, services, and information via digital technologies (typically the Internet). Students gain familiarity with retail/business Web site design issues, e-consumer behavior, the online order process and fulfillment, online service, and related issues.

 

III.             PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES OF THIS COURSE

Business use of information and digital technology is growing at an extraordinary pace. The use of these technologies is impacting and transforming the value chain of organizations in virtually every industry. This course examines the emerging trends and technologies defining the rules of business in the developing information economy. The course is designed to provide potential managers with an understanding of how the application of information technology can provide an organization with a competitive advantage. The emphasis of the course is on the managerial side of business as opposed to the technical side. Therefore, the course does not focus on mastering technologies themselves, but rather strives to develop an understanding of the potential strengths and limitations associated with available information technologies.

 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.      demonstrate a fundamental understanding of how the business environment is changing as the world evolves into an information-driven economy;

2.      competently discuss emerging trends and digital technology applications driving e-business;

3.      assess the potential impact and value of marketing strategies and tactics utilizing digital technologies;

4.      explain how digital technology influences the value chain of an organization; and

5.      identify potential legal and ethical issues associated with the business-related use of digital technology.

 

IV.             REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS

Introduction to e-Commerce, Second Edition. Rayport & Jaworski (2004) (ISBN: 0-07-255347-2).

 

The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture. John Battelle, Portfolio (2005) (ISBN: 1-59184-088-0).

 

There will also be assigned readings from the Wall Street Journal, Computer World, eWeek, and other sources. Links to pertinent articles, or handouts, will be assigned on a topic-by-topic basis.

 

V.                COURSE REQUIREMENTS, POLICIES, AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES

 

A.    Course Requirements

1.      Exams (30%). There will be three exams given, including the final. Each exam will be equally weighted and the test format will be a combination of short answer and multiple choice. Each test will cover the material from the class lectures, presentations, related text chapters, and assigned readings.

 

2.      Projects (20%). Students are required to write one paper individually and compete in groups for two assignments. The written paper is worth 120 points, while the two competitions are worth 40 points each. All assignments are due by the start of class on the day they are assigned. Late papers will NOT be accepted.  Details on each project will be given in class and posted in Moodle. The rubric for the written paper appears later in this syllabus.

 

3.      Presentations (20%). On January 23rd, students will choose, from a provided list, an existing ecommerce company to study and report on. The presentation to the class should be fifteen minutes with PowerPoint and/or other visuals incorporated. Presentations will take place on Wednesdays beginning February 6th.

 

For the second presentation, the student is to create and formulate an e-Commerce/marketing plan for a new company. The presentation should include a complete plan of implementation. A paper of the plan is due April 25th with presentations running from April 25th to May 2nd. 

 

A rubric outlining grading for class presentations appears later in this syllabus.

 

4.      Quizzes (20%). Quizzes will be given in Moodle (scheduled) and in class (not announced). Quizzes will cover material that has been previously assigned. There will be no opportunity for make-up if you are absent on the day of a quiz, or forget to take it in Moodle before the closing time.

 

5.      Participation (10%). You are expected to attend class and contribute to class discussions and activities. While coming to class is important, merely attending and listening to the discussions is not sufficient. If you keep up with the readings, attend the class meetings, and contribute to class discussions, this requirement will not represent a major obstacle to successful completion of the course.

 
Point Distribution

 

Exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  300

Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .200

Class Presentations. . . . . . . 200

Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Participation . . . . . . . . . . .  100

 

TOTAL . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . 1000

 
B.     Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation is expected.  Students should attend all class sessions unless prevented from so doing by extenuating circumstances. It is the student’s obligation to personally notify the instructor of any absence: in advance, if possible. Two late arrivals and/or two early departures will equal one absence. Please be mindful of the fact that, regardless of your reason(s) for an absence, you are responsible for the material covered in class during each session.

 
C.    Ethical Expectations

Students are expected to conduct themselves with the highest ethics.  Individual assignments are to be done only by the student. All submissions handed in under a student’s name are to be limited to that student’s work. Any exception to these guidelines should be reported and discussed with the instructor. There is a ZERO TOLERANCE rule in effect for this area; any violations will result in a zero for the submitted material.

 

D.    Instructional Strategies

This course will utilize lectures, discussion of assigned readings, and assigned studies. It will be beneficial if you read the referenced text before each class meeting and are prepared to discuss it.

 

E.     Evaluation Procedures

Grades will reflect your ability to perform at the college level.  The components of your final grade are outlined in the course requirements above. Letter grades for the course will be determined using the following criteria:

 
Grading Scale

 

A             = 930 – 1000        (93%-100%)

A-            = 900 – 929          (90% - 92%)

B+           = 880 – 899          (88% - 89%)

B             = 830 – 879          (83% - 87%)

B-            = 800 – 829          (80% - 82%)

C+           = 780 – 799          (78% - 79%)

C             = 730 – 779          (73% - 77%)

C-            = 700 – 729          (70% - 72%)

D             = 600 – 699          (60% - 69%)

F              = 0 – 599               (0 – 59%)


 

Assignments and examinations should be completed on the announced due dates. Material submitted after the due date, without prior approval, will have points deducted.

 

F.     Policies Related to Students with Special Needs

Students having special problems that might affect their performance should notify the instructor during the first week of school.  Possible arrangements can be made to work closely with the Learning Center, a tutor, or special time provided by the instructor.

 
G.    Policies Related to Cell Phones

Cell phones should not be used in class.  Phones should not be used for making or receiving calls, or text messaging. Any phones used for this purpose, without prior consent, will become the property of the instructor.

 

H.    Policies Related to Food/Drink

Eat before or after – not during - class.  Even though this class meets during what could be considered lunch time, in order to prevent distraction to others, there should be no eating or drinking in the classroom without prior consent.

 

 

VI.             TENATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Week of:

Topic(s)/Activity

eCommerce Text

Google Reading

Course objectives to map to

1/16

Overview

 

Chapter 1

2

1/21

Basics

Chapter 1

 

1

           

 

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

1,2

1/28

Market Opportunity Analysis

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1,2,3

2/4

Business Models

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

2,3,4

2/11

Strategy Formulation

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

2,3,4

2/18

EXAM ONE (Ch. 1-5)

 

Chapter 6

2,4

2/25

Market Communications/Branding

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

2,3,4

3/3

Implementation

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

1,2,3,4

3/10

SPRING BREAK  - NO CLASS

 

 

 

3/17

Metrics

Chapter 8

 

3,4

 

Website Development

Chapter 9

 

3,4

3/24

EXAM TWO (Ch. 6-9)

 

Chapter 9

2,4

3/31

Google Today and Tomorrow

 

Chapter 10

2,4

 

 

 

Chapter 11

2,5

4/5

Startups in Depth

 

 

1,2,3,4

4/12

Site Architecture

Chapter 10     

 

4

 

Human and Financial Capital

Chapter 11

 

3,4,5

4/19

Media Transformation

Chapter 12     

 

4

 

Public Policy

Chapter 13

 

5

 

Startup Presentations

 

 

1,2,3,4,5

4/26

Startup Presentations

 

 

1,2,3,4,5

5/5

FINAL EXAM 11:40 (Ch. 10-13)

 

 

 

 

NOTE: The aforementioned requirements, policies, evaluation procedures, schedule, etc., are subject to modification at the discretion of the instructor.


 

Written Paper Evaluation Form (worth 120 points)

 

Element

Points Possible

Points Earned

Grammar/Spelling/Aesthetics:

0-3 errors

4-6 errors

7-10 errors

Ř  10 errors

 

25

20

15

0

 

Content:

Paper fully addresses the topic

Paper does not address minor issues

Paper does not address at least one                                                                                                                major issue

Paper does not address two or more major issues

 

70

50

20

 

0

 

Length:

Paper is the assigned length

Paper is less than 90% of assigned length

Paper is less than 80% of assigned length

Paper is less than 70% of assigned length

 

25

20

15

0

 

 

 

 

Group Competition Evaluation

Twice during the course of the semester, four teams will compete in projects to obtain better Internet results than the other teams. Points will be awarded as follows:

 

First Place Team:                                                40 points

Second Place Team:                                           30 points

Third Place Team:                                               20 points

Last Place Team:                                                10 points

 

 

 

 

 


Existing Company Presentation Evaluation Form

Items to Address in Presentation

Points Possible

Points Earned

Company History – founder, present owner, mission, vision

10

 

Financial Model – for profit/not for profit, public/private, date incorporated, stock issue/price, what is the value of the company today

10