Expectations of Students

This course is best suited to a lecture format, however, students are encouraged to ask questions and participate. If you are prepared for class but something I say is confusing, let me know! On the other hand, I will resist slowing down the class for a few people who are unprepared. Students should be responsible and take a very proactive approach to the materials, activities and assignments included in this module.

Ideally, students should spend time preparing for class, this means that they should read chapters, or slide presentations (if posted) before class. If you have already seen the material, the presentations will be easier to follow. After class, reread the text. During class or at scheduled office hours ask questions whenever you find something confusing or problematic. Make use of all handouts, which summarize the key concepts covered in each module and memorize the terminology introduced.

Students are advised to attend all lectures, and contribute in class discussions. Where possible take advantage opportunities to provide group responses to classroom discussions based on the above schedule. If you miss any lectures, you are still expected to be responsible for the material that was covered. The material we cover each week builds on the content of the previous weeks. You should try to catch up right away, through members of your group or other students. Get notes from a classmate and thoroughly review the relevant section of the text; if you do not, you will find yourself slipping farther and farther behind. After going through these steps, if you have questions, then visit me during office hours or make an appointment. If you find that you will be unable to participate in class activities for more than three days in a row due to illness or other valid excuses (see http://catalog.clarku.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=145) for definition of valid excuses) you must contact me by email to explain. You will not be allowed postpone a midterm because of absences earlier in the semester, unless you have informed me IN ADVANCE of your situation.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete all homework, and in class assignments. These assignments are designed to build capability and test students understanding and application of key concepts through calculation exercises interpretation of graphs, interpretation of definitions, and analysis of structured problems. Homework and class assignments will therefore be a good preparation for mid term tests and final exams. Students should complete homework (quizzes and problems sets) before they are due, making sure you leave yourself enough time to get answers to any questions you might have. Any homework submitted must be your individual work, and copying the answers of another student is definitely cheating. On the other hand, you are encouraged to get together in groups to discuss the course and even how to get started on the homework. To prepare for exams, you should (a) find a study partner or group and meet regularly to talk about the concepts covered in the class; (b) practice using the graphs to explain market behavior; (c) practice explaining the logic of how markets work; and (d) ask questions in the reviews held before each exam. I will not ask you a test question that expects you to remember a topic or application from the text not covered in class. Therefore class attendance is very important.

Students should use the field trip to Blackstone Mall as a data gathering and assessment exercise rather than social activity. During the field trip students are expected to gather information on the products they want to examine, gain an appreciation of some of the competing products, and price trends. There will also be an opportunity to engage managers and/or customer service representatives about these products to obtain further information on products or market trends. Arrangements will be made for this prior to the field trip and a time will be allocated for this during the visit. By the end of the field trip students are expected to have identified the product that they want to examine, and gathered some preliminary pricing and competitor data which can be used to start the market analysis.

Finally, maintaining a positive group environment is critical for the successful completion of this course. Students are encouraged to work with their groups both in and outside of the classroom to complete assigned tasks. Students are also advised to take advantage of support provided by the assigned TA (see point 10), and should take the time to understand their group members and engage with them in activities and discussions beyond the topics included in this course. However, the focus should the completion of group assignments on time. If problems arise in the group it is extremely important that they be dealt with immediately. The group should first attempt to resolve those difficulties within the group through frank and honest discussion, with respect for the differences between people, and if necessary with the assistance of your TA. If the problems persist the group can schedule an office visit with me for further consultation and advice. Group learning can be a tremendous opportunity for students to develop new and diverse perspectives. Collaborative learning can also contribute to finding solutions to problems or issues, which individually we may be considered ordinary and in other instances challenging to understand.