Course Syllabus for Fall 2001 

                                        T-TH 1:00 – 2:15 pm    

Instructor:       Criss Castle                                                                                                            Room: AD 318 (lab)

Office:             Janeway Administration Building, Room 303

Office Hours:  By appointment

Phone:             878-5351

Email:             cacastle@sgc.edu

Website:         http://intranet.sgc.edu/people/staff/cacastle/

Prerequisites:   Senior Standing. 

Course Description

E-Commerce offers the students an opportunity to study the history of the World Wide Web, the critical impact the Internet has made on business practices, how businesses and non-profit organizations are employing the capabilities of the Internet and the World Wide Web to develop, enhance and defend their positions in the increasingly global marketplace. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of various income producing business models and strategic partnerships in the e-commerce sectors.  Students are then encouraged to conceptualize the growth and uses of e-commerce in the future and their own unique strategic plans for implementation in the Internet space.  Applicable skills in conducing electronic commerce transactions will be developed.

Grading:

 Weekly Grades (20% of the grade)  200 Points

 Based on:

1.      Attendance and punctuality.  In the business environment, your timeliness is critical in communicating your sincerity and genuine interest in doing business with an organization or person.  Therefore, this class will reflect the philosophy of the business environment.

2.      Participation and valuable contribution to class discussions.  I encourage healthy discussions.  However, while opposing views encourage learning from several different perspectives and are certainly conducive to the learning environment, this class will adhere to politeness and overall courtesy to whoever holds the floor.

Productivity (30% of the grade)  300 points

Based on:

1.      Completion of assignments from text, handouts or Internet.  Assignments must be submitted on the date due at the beginning of the hour for which they are assigned.

2.      Completion of assigned article reviews.  Article reviews must be submitted on the date due at the beginning of the hour for which they are assigned.

            3.      Completion of email assignments, web site critique, and group presentation.

Preparation (20% of the grade)  200 points

Based on:

1.  In class exercises, pop quizzes, and any other items instructor assigns.

Exams (30% of the grade)  300 points

Based on:

1.      Exam scores.  Exams may be a comprehensive make up of objective multiple choice, essay questions, short answer questions.

2.      There will be 3 (three) exams, each worth 100 points.  Exam dates will be announced at least one week prior to exam day.   

Make up Exams:  Make up exams are given only when a serious situation arises that may interfere with your taking

an exam at the time and date scheduled, please contact me as soon as possible.  Written verification of cause will be

required.

 Other Course Policies

1. Attendance: It is expected that you will attend every class meeting.  Your grade will reflect your attendance and contribution to class discussions.
2. If you are ill or have a serious problem that prevents your attending class, contact me as soon as possible
3. Incompletes: Student should not consider an incomplete as an alternative when falling behind during the semester. Incompletes are rarely given, and then only in emergency circumstances.  If an incomplete is negotiated under these circumstances, make sure that a petition for incomplete is on file and signed by both of us. Feel free to talk to me about this, but expect a “hard line” position.
4. Academic Dishonesty: Students who violate St. Gregory’s rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the university. Since dishonesty harms the individual, fellow students, and the integrity of the university, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
5. Please take advantage of my office hours, as I am on campus throughout the week.  This is the time that you can clarify areas in which you need more guidance.  Remember you share a responsibility in the teaching/learning process along with the instructor. It is your responsibility to seek clarification or help when it is needed.

Article Reviews

Each article review is to consist of a 200-400 word (one to two page) written report using 12-point font, one-inch margins, and double spacing.  In addition, the review should contain the elements listed below.

1. The complete reference citation for the article
2. A brief description of the main points made by the author
3. Your extended analysis of the main points made by the author

Your analysis should use comparison, contrast and synthesis as the means to process the information provided by the article, in light of the full range of knowledge you already possess. The point of this exercise is to encourage a thoughtful consideration of the material you are reading. These procedures will assist you greatly in assimilating the information to be gained from the article. The written report should consist of 30% or less summary and 70% or more analysis.

Presentations

Each presentation is to include a PowerPoint slideshow and an oral, in-person presentation of the information contained and developed in that student's written article or subject area assigned, plus any other insights as may be appropriate. A team of students makes the presentation; therefore, they will all earn the same grade, which will be based upon the total team performance. The professor will subjectively conduct grading, with input from the audience. Grading criteria will include relevance to the course, organization of presentation, ability to knowledgably present material, appropriate attire, poise, clarity, quality of slides, adherence to time limits and enunciation.

 Course Schedule

Week 1                        Orientation

                                    Critical Impact of the Internet

                                    Buying a Domain

Week 2                       History of the Internet (quiz)

                                   Conducting E-commerce while Guarding Your Privacy on the Internet          

Week 3                       Tuesday, September 4^th

e-Business Models

Auction Houses e-Bay, Ubid.com

Thursday, September 6^th

Virtual Storefronts

                                    Web casting

Week 4                       Tuesday, September 11^th

E-commerce and the Law

                                    Online Fraud

Thursday, September 13^th

                                    Article Review Due

 Week 5                       Tuesday, September 18^th

Article discussions, Review

Electronic money, Forms of payment

Thursday, September 20^th

Exam 1

Week 6                       Tuesday, September 25^th

e-Distribution systems           

                                    Team research and presentations

Thursday, September 27^th

                                                e-Airlines; ticketing, pricing, services, reservations presentation  

Week 7                       Tuesday, October 2^nd

                                    Online gift and bridal registries presentation

Thursday, October 4^th

Online relocation service providers & resources presentation

Week 8                       Tuesday, October 9^th

                                    Online bill paying presentation

                                    Thursday, October 11^th

                                   Online retailers – clothing industry presentation

Week 9                       Tuesday, October 16^th

From bricks to clicks

Offline and online integration

                                    Thursday, October 18^th

                                                Fall Break

Week 10                     Tuesday, October 23^rd

                                    Priceline.com; consumer’s online negotiating power                         

                                    Thursday, October 25^th

                                                Online consumer behavior

                                    TheStandard.com      

Week 11                     Tuesday, October 30^th

                                    Online consumer behavior

                                    Thursday, November 1^st

                                    Media Convergence

Week 12                     Tuesday, November 6^th

                                                Media Convergence

                                    Thursday, November 8^th

                                                2nd Article Review Due

                                                Branding

Week 13                     Tuesday, November 13^th

                                    Branding

                                    Thursday, November 15^th

                                    Valuation

Week 14                     Tuesday, November 20^th

                                    Valuation

                                    Thursday, November 22nd

                                    Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 15                     Tuesday, November 27^th

                                    Presentations

                                    Thursday, November 29^th

                                    Final Exam Review

Week 16                     Final Exam

*There may be pop quizzes over class discussions at any time during the class period.