Pace University Lubin School of Business
MAR 352 (PL 73652)  Fall 2007

Contemporary Business Practice Course Syllabus

Professor: Dr. Kathy Winsted
Office: Goldstein Academic Center in Pleasantville Rm 121          
Phone Numbers: Pleasantville: 914/773-3905 (FAX 914/773-3908)
                          Home office: 914/962-3029 (FAX 914/962-3029)
Email address: kwinsted@pace.edu
Instant messaging on aol:  kwinsted
Web page: http:://webpage.pace.edu/kwinsted
Course sitehttp://blackboard.pace.edu
Office Hours:
    Pleasantville: Monday 2:30-3:30, Tuesday 12:30-3:00, Wednesday 11:30-1:00
Class Session: Monday 10:10-12:00, Wednesday 10:10-11:05

TextBusiness in Action, Bovee and Thill, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall

                Frazer Business Simulations, set of cases for computer simulations to be played in class

Grading: Each graded component of the course will be evaluated on a 100 point scale, with each weighted as follows to determine a final grade. Overall grades will be assigned as follows: A (93-100), A- (90-92), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (60-66), F (0-59).

MID TERM EXAM= 20%
FINAL EXAM = 20%
SIMULATION PERFORMANCE RECORD = 30%
CLASS PARTICIPATION (partly based on peer evaluations) = 30%

Course Objectives:

  • To help give

Class Participation: This class will be run.

Exams: Two tests will be given covering concepts in the readings indicated (noncumulative), as well as any cases, speakers, and videos. While all material in the readings will not be covered in class, students are responsible for all reading assigned. Most exam questions will be applications questions (i.e., being able to apply a concept from a reading or a case to a situation given on the exam). All exams are open-note and all students are encouraged to take notes while reading the assigned articles and cases, as well as in class. Any notes in the student's own handwriting may be used to assist in taking the exams.   Notes typed by a student on his or her computer may also be used, but only if the notes are submitted to the digital dropbox prior to the exam.  When submitting to the digital drop box, be sure to click on "Send File" or the file will not be sent to the professor's drop box.  If any notes are found not to be the original work of the student using them (no shared, borrowed or study group notes are allowed), the notes will be confiscated and the student will receive a zero on the exam. Textbooks and other printed materials may not be used.  Any student who cannot take an exam at the scheduled time must get an alternate date approved by the instructor prior to the date scheduled, or have an excuse from a doctor and notify the instructor as soon as possible, always before the next class meeting. No makeup exam will be scheduled if these guidelines are not met.

Simulations: Each student

Academic Honesty:  All notes for exams and all papers must be original work. Use of any work that is found to be not original will result in a grade of zero on the exam or paper. The department academic honesty policy will apply to all honesty issues. 

Contacting the Professor: If the office hours listed at the top of the syllabus are inconvenient for you, feel free to call me at home at any reasonable time of day or night with questions or concerns. If you need to miss class when an assignment is due, you still need to submit it via the digital drop box on Blackboard before the start of class on the day it is due.  You can contact me anytime by email and I will respond promptly (I check messages each evening and usually morning as well) or, if I'm online, you can contact me through instant messaging.  The Blackboard site and my web page provide easy access to information on the syllabus, readings, assignments, office hours and course schedule if your printed versions are not easily accessible.


Pace University, Lubin School of Business
MAR 150  Contemporary Business Practice (PL73652)
Fall 2006 Course Schedule      Professor Winsted

Mondays 10:10-12:00, Wednesdays 10:10-11:05

Date

Topics and Cases

Readings and Assignments


W Sept. 5

Introduction to course,
Business simulations,
Basic business concepts

none


M Sept. 10

Financial Analysis and Basic accounting concepts: Fixed costs, Variable costs, Income, Profit margins

Chapter 1 – Fundamentals of Business

Chapter 13 – Analyzing Financial Information

W Sept. 12

Pricing Strategies:  Demand elasticity, Brand loyalty, Market share, Profit margins

Chapter 11 – Product and Pricing Strategies


M Sept 17

Simulation:  Pricing Strategy

Pricing Strategy


W Sept 19

Production decisions, Stockouts, Opportunity cost, Inventory costs, Forecasting

 Chapter 8 – Producing Quality Goods

(up to page 201)


M Sept 24

Simulation:  Price Production Strategy

Price Production Strategy


W Sept 26

Basic marketing concepts – Impact of sales, advertising, promotion on demand

Chapter 12 – Developing Promotional Strategies

M Oct 1

Simulation:  Price Production Marketing Strategy

Price Production Marketing Strategy


W Oct. 3

Production scheduling concepts:  setup time, run time, layout issues, computer heuristics

Chapter 8 – Scheduling production

(page 202 to end)


M Oct. 8

Simulation:  Production Scheduling

Production Scheduling


W Oct. 10

Distribution channels and pricing through the channel, Negotiation skills, Organizational behavior, Collusion

Chapter 7 – Organizing and Working in Teams


M Oct. 15

Simulation:  Manufacturers and Retailers

Manufacturers and Retailers

W Oct 17

Simulation:  Manufacturers and Retailers

Manufacturers and Retailers


M Oct. 22

Simulation:  Network Advertising

Network Advertising


W Oct. 24

Advertising sales, Alternative uses of a commodity, Business planning

Review for exam

 

Chapter 6 – Functions and Roles of Management


M Oct. 29

MIDTERM EXAM – readings and simulations

 

Study!!

 


W Oct 31

Basic stock and investment concepts:  Compound interest, Present value, Rate of return analysis, Investment strategies, Bidding strategies

Chapter 14 – Understanding Banking and Securities


M Nov 5

Simulation:  Invest

Invest


W Nov. 7

Salary management, Decision making, Goal setting, Sports management

Chapter 9 – Managing Human Resources


M Nov. 12

Simulation:  Sockey Management

Sockey Management


W Nov. 14

International trade, Comparative advantage, Standard of living, Production efficiency differences, International negotiation

Chapter 3 – Competing in the Global Economy


M Nov. 19

Simulation:  Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage

W Nov 21

NO CLASS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!


M Nov. 26

Expected value

Simulation:  Track

 


W Nov. 28

Labor Relations, Negotiation, Business strategy, Organizational behavior, Management, Human Resources management

Chapter 9 – Motivating Today’s Workforce and Employee-Management Relations


M Dec 3

Simulation:  Contract Negotiation

Contract Negotiation


W Dec 5

Course wrapup and evaluation

Review for final

 


 Dec. 14-21

FINAL

Study!!

 

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY BREAK!!!