MKTG 471: Marketing Management Master Syllabus
Representative Syllabus
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Business & Econ. Librarian
Kayla Gourlay kmorrow7@gmu.edu
Course Description
Emphasizes managerial aspects of marketing, including developing marketing strategies and plans, and integrating specific elements of the marketing process. Emphasizes case analysis. A third attempt will require academic advisor approval.
In this course, we will explore the role of marketing in the global market, approaches to building customer relationships, and tools to better understand customers and competitors. We will study how to make decisions regarding the marketing mix (product, price, promotion, and distribution) and complete a market plan that fulfills the writing intensive requirements in the Marketing Area, as detailed in the Writing Intensive section of the syllabus.
Goals & Objectives
Course Objectives
Goal 1
Our students will demonstrate an understanding of the social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business.
The course content explores domestic and international marketing issues. The international portion is embedded in virtually every chapter and in many cases.
Goal 2
Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing.
This course includes the development of a capstone marketing plan where students demonstrate competency in writing and market planning. The course also is designated as a writing intensive course with assessments and feedback both on writing skills and content.
The paper is designed to assure that students have the professional skills needed to be successful in oral and written business communications. This course requires all students to demonstrate their writing and speaking skills by composing and presenting a marketing plan using Word. Students will also be graded on their case analyses and class participation.
Goal 3
Our students will demonstrate technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business.
This course includes the weekly analysis of a business case including the understanding of financial and technical issues in the discussion of issues, and recommendations.
Goal 4
Our students demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management.
This course draws upon many other disciplines including economics, psychology, sociology, public policy and regulation, law, accounting, finance, information systems, management and statistics. Examinations will include other areas as appropriate.
Goal 5
Our students will demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate for specialization in their majors.
This course places an emphasis on improving understanding of the real- world environment and better preparation for a career in business. Students will be encouraged to apply existing marketing knowledge to authentic business situations and issues. Students are exposed to situations where it is necessary to integrate the various components of marketing into a cohesive marketing strategy. Discipline competence will be measured in this course using exams, composition and presentation of an integrated marketing plan, exercises, team case presentations, homework assignments and class participation.
Goal 6
Our students will demonstrate an understanding of how research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted.
Students will develop a strategic approach to marketing that incorporates discovering opportunities and determining how the firm and its marketing respond to these opportunities. Market research, examinations, case analysis, and the market plan project require students to understand, apply and synthesize a variety of marketing issues, concepts, approaches and principles in a comprehensive, strategic approach. Key elements of the marketing plan project require an explanation and defense of recommended courses of action. Students also learn to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze financial numbers and facts in cases. Examinations will include business scenarios and analysis of cases.
Concentration and Program Learning Goals
Students majoring in the Marketing concentration will master the following by graduation:
- Research Competency: Research competency using library databases, secondary and primary sources of market and company information, and marketing data analysis skills.
- Marketing Strategies: Ability to formulate effective marketing strategies derived from an understanding of customer behaviors and application of marketing tools and concepts.
- Writing & Formatting: Communication and information literacy skills in the writing and format of the plan that are consistent with the marketing discipline.
By the end of the BS Business program, students will master:
- The social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business.
- The ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing.
- Technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business.
- The ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management.
- How research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted.
Writing Intensive & Assurance of Learning
Writing Intensive Statement
This course has been approved by the Faculty Senate Writing Across the Curriculum Committee to fulfill the Writing Intensive Requirement in the Marketing major.
It does so through the completion of a Marketing strategy/Marketing plan project that will be completed in three sections or phases – Part 1: with a minimum of 1500 words and Part 2: with a revision and resubmission of Part 1 along with an additional 2,000-words, The combination of Parts 1 and 2 into the final paper is 3,500 words .Prerequisite to starting the market plan, each student needs to submit the product, firm and industry with library research from three library sources. The research includes five- year financial trends in graphic format showing the revenue or units, market size and market share. This is to ensure and confirm that the data needed for the plan can be obtained. After receiving the prerequisite approval of the background research and product, firm and industry, it is OK to begin work on the Market Plan. Parts 1 and 2 of the Marketing Plan will be completed through a draft/feedback/revision process. The submission of Part 1 will receive commentary on the sections for Part 1 and a grade on content and writing related dimensions. The revised part 1 submission will be due in combination with Part 2 in the final weeks of the class. Both Parts 1 and 2 of the plan require citations in text, a Works Cited or Bibliography, Title or Cover Page, Executive Summary and a Table of Contents using APA format. In summary, the final document has a consolidated Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Works Cited, Tables and Figures, etc., in one seamless paper. The organization of the plan requires headings and subheadings throughout beginning with the first submission of Part 1 using the APA format. A description of the Marketing Plan project and its fulfillment of the Writing Intensive requirement in the Marketing major can be found in the Market Plan Folder in the Weekly Lessons menu that has details on each component of the /Marketing Plan project. Due dates are in the class schedule section of this syllabus.
The writing learning objectives to fulfill the requirements for our Writing Intensive Course are:
Writing-to-Learn: students will use research, analysis and writing to deepen their awareness of marketing activities in the development of a market plan for an approved product or service.
Writing-to-Communicate: students will compose and revise in phases with feedback a market plan in a professional business genre tailored to business managers who have responsibility for approval of new products and services and manage the firm’s portfolio of offerings.
Writing-as-a-Process: students will draft and revise written sections of the plan based on feedback they receive from instructors, using strategies appropriate to the business professional genre, Marketing and Other Managers, and business purpose.
Assurance of Learning in MKTG 471
The documentation of the extent to which this course is responsible for adding to competence in the discipline of marketing is a central issue for the College of Business. The overall measures used to determine the extent to which this course is accomplishing assurance of learning objectives are through weekly quizzes, composing and presenting an integrated marketing plan, weekly exercises, case presentation, and class participation.
Course Methodology
The class format will combine reading, lectures, presentations, and other learning tools. The class will be interactive and require every student to be engaged in the assignments. In addition to the video lectures and timely completion of assignments, every student will be expected to be an active participant and a dedicated individual applying what is being learned to every element of the course work.
Required Textbook(s) and/or Materials
Required Text:
- A Framework for Marketing Management. Philip Kotler and Kevin L. Keller, Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall, 2016.
- Harvard Business School (HBS) Cases and Readings. To purchase and access your HBS Case Study Course Pack, please visit: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/import/1205750. Follow the instructions at the site (you will need to register and then you can pay by credit card).
Copies of the above Kotler and Keller textbook are available for two-hour checkout in the library under GMU’s TextSelect program. The process for checking out is:
- Confirm that the textbook is available on TextSelect by checking the Fall 2024 Text Select List on this guide. (It is available, as I have checked.)
- Go to the Fenwick Library Information Desk.
- Ask to check out a textbook on TextSelect and provide the title.
Please note that most of these textbooks are only available for 2-hour checkout.
Technology Required
Technology Requirements
Canvas and System
Access to Canvas and George Mason University email are required to participate successfully in this course. Activities and assignments in this course will regularly use the Blackboard learning system, available at https://mymason.gmu.edu. Students are required to have their laptop or computer for access to the online course. Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a computer with an updated operating system (recommended: Windows 10 or Mac OSX 10.13 or higher) and a stable broadband Internet connection (cable modem, DSL, satellite broadband, etc., with a consistent 1.5 Mbps [megabits per second] download speed or higher. If you have any technology issues while taking this course, please reach out to support@gmu.edu or call (703) 993-8870 (US). Calling often receives the quicker response, but check the hours of operation. You may also contact Microsoft or Canvas support directly. I cannot assist you with technology issues.
Lockdown Monitor (Browser with Webcam)
If this course requires exams other than the weekly and case quizzes, the use of Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor (Browser and a webcam) for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer (internal webcam) or can be the type of webcam that plugs in with a USB cable (external webcam). No major exams other than weekly quizzes on chapters and cases; therefore, no Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor is planned for Fall 2024.
All students are expected to be able to comply with technology requirements for on- schedule completion of the course material. Please make sure to update your computer and prepare yourself to begin using the online format BEFORE the first day of class.
Hardware and Software Continued
Note: If you are using an employer-provided computer or corporate office for class attendance, please verify with your systems administrators that you will be able to install the necessary applications and that system or corporate firewalls do not block access to any sites or media types.
Course-specific Hardware/Software
Check the syllabus for your course or contact the instructor prior to the start of the course to find out about specific technical requirements for your class. Hardware or software required for your course or program may be available for purchase at Patriot Computers (the University’s computer store that offers educational discounts.)
Course Website
Canvas will be used for this course. Login and click on the “Courses” tab. You will see MKTG 471 course.
NOTE: Username and passwords are the same as your George Mason email account. You must have consistent access to an internet connection in order to complete the assignments in this course through Canvas. Note the technology requirements for Costello College of Business in your Canvas course menu—it contains details of minimum technology requirements.
Mason Online Information.
Additional information for online students is available at the following url.
Participation
Learning can only happen when you are playing an active role. It is important to place more emphasis on developing your insights and skills, rather than transmitting information. Knowledge is more important than facts and definitions. It is a way of looking at the world, an ability to interpret and organize future information. An active learning approach will more likely result in long-term retention and better understanding because you make the content of what you are learning concrete and real in your mind.
Although an active role can look differently for various individuals, it is expected in this class that you will work to explore issues and ideas under the guidance of the professor and your peers. You can do this by reflecting on the content and activities of this course, asking questions, striving for answers, interpreting observations, and discussing issues with your peers.
Absence and Academic Accommodations
Attendance and./ or participation in online or face to face classes and with online course modules is key to success in the course. Students are to be present in class for face-to- face courses and engaged for all their courses. Per George Mason’s Catalog (AP 1.6):
“Students are expected to attend the class periods of the courses for which they are registered. In-class participation is important not only to the individual student, but also to the class as a whole. Because class participation may be a factor in grading, instructors may use absence, tardiness, or early departure as de facto evidence of non-participation. Students who miss an exam without an acceptable excurse may be penalized according to the individual instructor’s grading policy, as stated in the course syllabus.”
In this class excused absences can be known ahead of time or be unexpected. Regardless, students must:
- Notify the faculty member in writing and in a timely manner
- Provide appropriate (verifiable documentation at the time of notification; or in the case of unexpected absence, notify the faculty member when the documentation will be sent).
- Obtain content covered for the course time they are absent
- Seek and adhere to instructor provided accommodations for the work missed due to these absences
- Consider and discuss an academic drop if several class periods are missed, e.g. consider more than two as a guideline.
Examples of expected excused absences known at the beginning of the semester that the faculty member should be informed by the student within two weeks of the class are given below. It is the obligation of the student to provide faculty within the first two weeks of the semester of supporting documentation for these excused absences. Relevant documentation may include a letter from a university official of data and time for the event, religious calendar showing dates of religious observations, court summons, a Doctor’s note with date of procedure, military orders, etc. Excused absences include:
- Religious observance where the nature prevents the student from attending a class session
- Scheduled necessary medical procedures and medical conditions
- Participation in university sponsored activities, e.g. intercollegiate athletic competitions, music performances, debate, conferences, research visits, etc.
- Military Service
- Scheduled court appearances
For any unexpected excused absence, students must notify the instructor in writing and with verifiable supporting documentation before the impacted class period when possible, or no fewer than 24 hours after the class period, where pre-class notification is not possible. This notification must be in writing and examples of documentation needed are:
- Doctor’s or medical note with dates of illness and exclusion from class. Medical information or specifics of the procedure are not required
- Death certificate or other documentation indicating dates of death/related observances
- Court summons
- Military orders
Unexcused absences are any absences that do not qualify as an excused absence outlined above. Examples of unexcused absences are those stemming from work/internship duties, traffic/transit problems, vacation/travel, or those due to anything not recognized as an excused absence.
Note in the matrix of scores that points are earned for participation and points are taken away from participation relative to unexcused absences, etc., since case study participation is important, especially in the face to face classes, for this course.
Class Cancellation
If there are any changes to the course schedule, students should check Canvas and/or email for updates on how to continue learning and information about any changes to events or assignments.
Rules and Expectations
In correspondence/communication students will be expected to:
- Be professional and respectful in correspondence
- Make reasonable requests of the instructor. We will be happy to clarify course material and answer legitimate questions; however, please exhaust other information sources (e.g., syllabus, Canvas) for answering your question before contacting me and remember, “Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part”
In regard to honesty in work students will be expected to:
- Review the University integrity and honesty policies in the student handbook for guidelines regarding plagiarism and cheating (summarized below). I will gladly clarify my stance on any questionable or “grey area” issues you may have.
Refrain from dishonest work as it will receive a minimum penalty of zero on the assignment and a maximum penalty of a zero for the course with a report to the Honor committee. The George Mason University Honor Code requires that faculty submit any suspected Honor Code violations to the Honor Committee. Therefore, any suspected offense will be submitted for adjudication.
Grading Methods
| Assignments | Points |
|---|---|
| Team Case Study PowerPoint Analysis | 50 |
| Case Study (8) and Readings (2) Quizzes | 100 |
| Chapter Quizzes | 372 |
| Introduction on Discussion Board | 8 |
| Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and Marketing Officer Study | 30 |
| Market Plan | |
|
20 |
|
70 |
|
150 |
|
200 |
| Total | 1000 |
Grade Scale
Your final grade for the course will depend on the total number of points you earn:
| Points | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| 930-1000 | A | 4.0 |
| 900-929 | A- | 3.7 |
| 870-899 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 830-869 | B | 3.0 |
| 800-829 | B- | 2.7 |
| 770-799 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 700-769 | C | 2.0 |
| 600-699 | D | 1.0 |
| Below 600 points | F | 0 |
Need Help?
Utilize the “Course Q&A” discussion forum or email your instructor directly.
Course Schedule
Expect to work 8-10 hours per week on assignments for this course. Unless otherwise stated, all assignments are due by the end of the week in which they are assigned. For the purposes of this course, a week is defined as beginning at 12:01 am each Thursday and ending at 11:59 pm on the following Thursday.
Due Dates and Times:
- Team Case Study Presentations: Posts are due in Bb for whole class review by Monday at 11:59 PM EST
- Individual Discussion Forums: Posts are due Thursday at 11:59 PM EST.
- Assignment & Quizzes: Due by Thursday at 11:59 PM EST. To help you manage your schedule and time to complete the assignments in this course, please follow the recommended timeline below. If you have a question or concern or encounter a problem about an assignment, please contact me immediately so we can discuss and work out a resolution. Note that there are two types of quizzes generally each week. There are the chapter quizzes and the Harvard Business Readings or Case Quizzes. Both are in the Quizzes and Assignments Folder and both are due on Thursday at the end of the day at 11:59 PM EST.
The course schedule follows:
| Lesson | Date | Reading Materials | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesson 1: Course Introduction, Case Method and Basic Marketing Arithmetic | 8/29-9/5 |
|
Looking ahead:
|
| Market Plan Information | 8/29-12/1 |
|
|
| Lesson 2: Overview of Marketing and Strategic Planning | 9/5-9/12 |
|
Quizzes due by 11:59 PM Thursday
|
| Lesson 3: Overview of Marketing Strategic Planning | 9/12-9/19 |
|
Quizzes due by 11:59 PM Thursday:
Complete Library Certification and post certificate in Canvas to get the credit by Thursday September 19 at 11:59 PM Submit: |
|
Lesson 4: Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning and Customer Service Class online on 9/19 meeting date |
9/19-9/26 |
Read textbook Chapters 5 & 6
Discussion:
Note Final approval of any revisions for the product, firm and industry for Market Plan Paper needs to be approved by Thursday 9/26 to earn the score for deliverable. |
Quizzes due by 11:59 PM Thursday Submit CMO, CAIO, and CIO research assignment by 11:59 Thursday |
| Lesson 5: Target Marketing and Branding | 9/26-10/3 |
|
Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday
Discussion:
|
| Lesson 6: Positioning and Competition | 10/3-10/10 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday
Discussion:
|
| Lesson 7: 4P’s Product and Services | 10/10-10/17 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday
Discussion:
|
| Fall Recess | 10/14 | No Assignments due on 10/14 | |
| Lesson 8: Services | 10/10-10/17 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday
Discussion: Submit: Market Plan–Part 1 (by 11:59 PM Thursday October 17th) |
| Lesson 9: Pricing | 10/17-10/24 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday :
Discussion: |
| Lesson 10: Distribution | 10/24-10/31 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday:
Discussion:
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| Election Day-Tuesday | 11/5 | No Classes George Mason University | |
| Lesson 11: Promotion Part 1 | 10/31-11/7 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday:
Discussion |
| Lesson 12: Promotion Part 2 Cont. | 11/7-11/14 |
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Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday:
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| Lesson 13: Promotion Part 3 | 11/14-11/21 |
Submit Final Market Plan |
Quizzes by 11:59 PM Thursday:
Submit: Final Market Plan by Thursday 11/21 at 11:59 PM |
| Thanksgiving Break | 11/27-12/1 | No class assignments | |
| Lesson 14: Future of Marketing and Wrap-up | 12/5-12/9 |
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Submit: Completed Team Evaluation by Monday at 11:59 PM |
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