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MKT 530: Contemporary Issues in Marketing
Department of Management & Marketing
College of Commerce & Business Administration
Jacksonville State University
Spring 2012
Instructor
Office
Office Hours
Text
Prerequisite
Class Meets
James L. Thomas, Ph.D. Telephone 256-782-5790
Merrill Bldg Rm 217H
jthomas@jsu.edu
E-mail
9:00 – 11:00 Tue / Thu Website
http://www.jsu.edu/depart/ccba/jthomas
16:15 – 18:15 Thursday
or by appointment
No text is required for this course. Instead, you will utilize the resources of the
Houston Cole Library.
MKT 513: Marketing Administration
Thursday
218 MB
18:15 – 21:15
Course Description
Investigation of current literature, problems, and changes/opportunities taking place in the field
of marketing; seminar course that includes lecture, discussion, and supervised research into
assigned topics.
Course Objectives
Following the completion of this course, each student should be able to:
 Discover and analyze contemporary marketing issues and problems.
 Gain a thorough understanding of the Marketing discipline.
 Instill a perspective of strategic thinking in the application of Marketing tools.
 Develop an understanding of the interrelationships among various Marketing theories and
concepts as they apply to “real world” problems and situations.
Course Policies
Academic Dishonesty
For a complete review of University policies regarding academic dishonesty, please refer to the
Student Handbook. Academic dishonesty is not tolerated in this class, as engaging in such
behavior reflects a severe lack of respect for fellow students, the instructor, and yourself. The
penalty for this behavior is a grade of “F” for the course, or such fewer penalties as the instructor
deems appropriate. Examples of conduct subject to academic discipline include (but are not
limited to):
 Representing another’s work as your own.
 Allowing another to represent your work as his/her own.
 Gaining, or attempting to gain an unfair advantage.
 Disruptive behavior and/or harm to facilities.
JUST DON’T DO IT!!
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The College of Commerce & Business Administration and the instructor comply with the ADA,
and make every effort to reach reasonable accommodations for qualified students with
disabilities. If you have a special need in accordance with ADA guidelines, or Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, please inform Dr. Thomas immediately.
The Topic Analysis Project (Secondary Research)
Each student will select a topic from the list below that he/she will be responsible for researching
and analyzing during the semester. This is an individual project and only 1 student will be
allowed to analyze a particular topic. The student will conduct a secondary data search in order
to discover a minimum of 10 articles that relate to the student’s topic. No more than 3 of these
articles may be from the business press (i.e., Wall Street Journal, Business Week, etc.). At least
7 of the 10 articles must be from the academic press (i.e., Journal of Marketing, Journal of
Business Ethics, etc.). Each article will be analyzed using the analysis format provided by the
instructor (please refer to the end of this syllabus for this analysis format). During each class
meeting, each student will present and lead the discussion regarding one of the student’s articles.
At the designated point in the semester, the student will submit a literature review that discusses
and synthesizes the articles the student has analyzed. Although students are NOT required to
provide a photocopy of the article to the instructor, the report must include a References section
that contains the complete citation for each article analyzed. All citations must be in the format
employed by the Journal of Marketing. The report will be judged on its content, breadth of topic
coverage, logic, communicative ability, and the quality of the synthesis.
List of Topics That May Be Selected For Analysis
Perceived Importance of Ethics & Social Responsibility
Perceived Moral Intensity
Dimensions of Relationship Commitment
Dimensions of Trust
Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)
Ethical Values
Influence of Employer Ethics upon Employee Ethics
Consumer Ethics
Communication’s Impact on Trust & Relationship Commitment
Privacy & Ethics Codes
Factors that Influence Consumers’ Election to Use M-Commerce
Technophobia
Factors that Influence Consumers’ Election to Use E-Commerce
Online Security Concerns
The Impact of Civility / Incivility Upon Consumers’ Choices
Not-for-Profit
In the event that a student has no interest in any of the above topics, the student may request
permission to analyze a different topic that does interest him/her. The instructor will evaluate the
requested topic, but expressly reserves the right to deny such permission.
Primary Data Collection Preparation
Upon completion of the Secondary Research aspect of the course, each student will prepare the
methodology for a primary data collection project proposal related to the student’s topic. Each
student will prepare a model for testing, develop the testing method, and construct a
questionnaire designed to test the model. The project proposal constitutes the comprehensive,
required final examination for this course. Further information regarding this phase of the course
will be presented at the appropriate time during the semester.
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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Miscellaneous Policies and Comments
 All of the presentation overheads used by Dr. Thomas may be accessed on his Website
(http://www.jsu.edu/depart/ccba/jthomas). These files are made available to you as an
additional service. However, you are NOT required to access them, and you are MOST
DEFINITELY NOT REQUIRED to print them out.
 For record-keeping purposes, a seating chart will be used in this class. Thus, attendance
will be taken daily. However, attendance is not factored into your grade. Please keep in
mind that studies clearly indicate that students who attend class regularly perform
significantly better than students who miss a large number of classes.
 It is critical in business, and particularly so in Marketing, that a businessperson pay
attention to details and follow instructions. In order to encourage the development of
such behaviors, any deviation from any instructions provided will generate an automatic
penalty of 5 points per occurrence.
 Students may question the professor at any time about their grades if they believe that a
mathematical or recording error has occurred. Additionally, there are some instances in
which students believe that an answer they gave was incorrectly assessed. Therefore,
students may, in writing, appeal to the professor to re-evaluate an assessment of a
particular answer. The appeal will be judged on its content, its quality, and the quality of
the written communication. One limitation to this ability to appeal is that such appeals
must be submitted for consideration no more than one week following the return of the
grade assessment. Appeals submitted after that time will not be considered.
 The protection of your privacy is extremely important to your professor. As the security
of telephonic and electronic transmissions cannot be guaranteed, grades on assignments
and final grades will not be discussed in any manner either over the telephone or by
email. Grades will only be discussed when the student and the instructor are in face-toface contact. For further information regarding the protection of your privacy, please
refer to the professor’s Online, Teaching, & Academic Research Policy that may be
viewed at http://www.jsu.edu/depart/ccba/jthomas/surveys/PrivacyPolicy.pdf.
 As per Department policy, please ensure that all cellular telephones, pagers, etc. have
been turned off prior to entering the classroom. Failure to do so constitutes disruptive
behavior. Special allowances may be made on an emergency, case-by-case basis, at the
instructor’s sole discretion. However, absent any special circumstances, a student who
violates this policy will be given one warning, after which the course policies for
academic dishonesty will take effect.
 As per Department policy, if a student arrives late to class, the student may still enter the
classroom. However, such actions are disruptive to the learning environment. Thus,
tardy students are required to sit on the side of the classroom nearest the doorway, and
are not allowed to cross the front of the room. Initial violations of this policy will result
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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in public notification to the student that he/she is in violation. Continued violations will
initiate the course policies for academic dishonesty.
Course Grading Policies
Students may earn points during the semester based on the following:
Article Analyses {10 @ 20 points each}
The Literature Review
The Project Proposal
Total Possible Points
200 points
100 points
100 points
400 points
Bonus point opportunities MAY be allowed on a class-wide basis at Dr. Thomas’ discretion.
Such opportunities will NOT be allowed on an individual basis; what is fair for one is fair for
all.
Final semester grades will be determined on the following basis:
Percentage of Total Points Earned
90% to 100%
80% to less than 90%
70% to less than 80%
60% to less than 70%
Less than 60%
Minimum Points Necessary
360
320
280
240
000
Assigned Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Please Note: If you feel, for any reason, that you must earn a particular grade for this course, you
must achieve, at a minimum, the lowest percentage of the total possible points for that grade.
For example, if you feel you must earn a “C” for the course, you must earn at least 70% of the
total possible points (or 280 points for this class). A grade of “D” will be assigned if you earn
69.9999999% (or between 240 to and including 279). Furthermore, if you feel you must earn a
particular grade for the course, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEMESTER to
discuss this with Dr. Thomas – if you wait until the last minute, nothing can be done to help you.
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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Journal Article Analysis Format
Citation
Theoretical or Empirical Article?
Major Focus of Article
Sample (only if empirical article)
Brief Summary of Key Points
Useful Quotes (with page numbers)
An electronic file of this form will be made available on Dr. Thomas’ website
(http://www.jsu.edu/depart/ccba/thomas).
An example of an article analyzed using this format will be made available on Dr.
Thomas’ website.
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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Publications that may be Applicable to Marketing
Availability Status in the JSU Houston Cole Library
Publication Title
Advances in Higher Education
Business Ethics Quarterly
Electronic Commerce Research and Applications
e-Service Journal
European Journal of Marketing
HC?
No
No
No
No
No
Industrial Marketing Management
International Journal of Advertising
International Journal of Electronic Commerce
Yes
No
No
International Journal of Management
International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary
Sector Marketing
Internet Research: Electronic Networking
Applications & Policy
Journal of Retail and Distribution Management
Journal of Advertising
Journal of Advertising Research
Journal of Business Ethics
Journal of Business Research
No
No
No
No
No
EBSCO 01-current
Emerald Insight 89-current;
EBSCO 71-01
Science Direct
EBSCO May 2000-current
Business Source Premier 00-curr
less 6 mo.
No
EBSCO 01-current less 4 mo.
No
Emerald 94-current
Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Journal of Consumer Marketing
Journal of Consumer and Market Research
Journal of Consumer Research
Journal of Direct Marketing
Journal of Education for Business
Journal of Higher Education
Journal of Interactive Marketing
Journal of International Business Studies
Journal of International Marketing
Journal of Internet Law
Journal of Marketing
Journal of Marketing Channels
Journal of Marketing Communications
Journal of Marketing Education
No
Yes
Yes
91-00
79cur
No
No
No
Electronic?
No
EBSCO 72-current
EBSCO 65-current
No
Science Direct 74-current
No
Emerald 94-current
EBSCO 85-cur - 12 mo.; Emerald
94-curr
No
No
Yes EBSCO 74-current
87-97 Wiley 98-current
29-85 EBSCO 90-current
30- EBSCO 03-cur.; InfoTrac 93-cur.
cur
No
Wiley 97-current
No
EBSCO 70-current less 30 mo.
No
ESCCO 93-current
No
EBSCO 99-current
36- EBSCO 65-current
cur
No
No
No
EBSCO 98-current less 12 mo.
No
EBSCO 80-current less 12 mo.
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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Journal of Marketing for Higher Education
Journal of Marketing Management
Journal of Marketing & Public Policy
Journal of Marketing Research
Journal of Marketing Theory & Practice
Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing
Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management
Journal of Public Policy & Marketing
Journal of Relationship Marketing
Journal of Retailing
Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services
Journal of Services Marketing
Journal of Services Research
Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science
Marketing Education Review
Psychology & Marketing
Services Marketing Quarterly
No
No
Yes
64-00
No
No
No
No
No
60cur
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
EBSCO 85-current less 6 mo.
EBSCO 85-current less 6 mo.
EBSCO 82-current
EBSCO 64-current
EBSCO 92-current
No
EBSCO 80-current
EBSCO 82-current
No
EBSCO 64-01; SD doesn’t work
No
Emerald 94-current
EBSCO 01-current
EBSCO 90-current; doesn’t work
EBSCO 90-current
Wiley 97-current
No
Note: HC means available in hard copy format in the HCL
EC means available electronically through the HCL website
(http://www.jsu.edu/depart/library)
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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MKT 530: Contemporary
Issues in Marketing
Spring 2012 Semester Schedule
Sunday
Monday
January 2012
Wednesday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
20
21
27
28
Course Introduction
The Literature
Review Assignment
15
16
17
18
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day
No Classes!
22
23
19
Article Discussions
24
25
26
Article Discussions
29
30
31
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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MKT 530: Contemporary
Issues in Marketing
Spring 2012 Semester Schedule
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
February 2012
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
Saturday
3
4
10
11
17
18
24
25
Article Discussions
5
6
7
8
9
Article Discussions
12
13
14
15
16
Article Discussions
Preparing the
Literature Review
19
20
21
22
26
27
28
29
23
Literature
Reviews Due
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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MKT 530: Contemporary
Issues in Marketing
Spring 2012 Semester Schedule
Sunday
Monday
March 2012
Wednesday
Tuesday
MT Grades Due
Thursday
1
Friday
Saturday
2
3
9
10
16
17
23
24
31
The Primary
Research Process
Developing the
Research Question
4
5
6
7
8
Survey Methods
11
12
13
14
15
Sampling
Questionnaire
Design
18
19
20
21
22
Research Proposal
Preparation
25
26
27
28
29
30
Spring Break
Holiday
No Classes!
Spring Break
Holiday
No Classes!
Spring Break
Holiday
No Classes!
Spring Break
Holiday
No Classes!
Spring Break
Holiday
No Classes!
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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MKT 530: Contemporary
Issues in Marketing
Spring 2012 Semester Schedule
Sunday
1
Monday
2
April 2012
Wednesday
Tuesday
3
4
Thursday
5
Friday
Saturday
6
7
13
14
20
21
27
28
Research Proposal
Preparation
8
9
10
11
12
Research Proposal
Preparation
15
16
17
18
19
Research Proposal
Preparation
22
23
24
25
26
Research
Proposals Due @
18:30
29
30
31
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.
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MKT 530: Contemporary Issues in Marketing
Department of Management & Marketing
College of Commerce & Business Administration
Jacksonville State University
Spring 2012
This memorandum serves as verification that I:
1. have received a copy of the syllabus for the course listed above,
2. have read and understand the contents of the syllabus,
3. agree to abide by the course policies as outlined in the syllabus, and
4. understand that additional copies of the syllabus may be obtained from either Dr. Thomas, the Department of Management &
Marketing, or Dr. Thomas’ Website.
Please PRINT Your Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Please Print Your Student Identification Number: _________________________________________________________________
Please Sign Your Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Please Indicate Today’s Date: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Class meets January 11, 2012 – April 28, 2012; Thursday; 18:15– 21:15, Room 218 MB
Semester schedule is subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ sole discretion.