Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences
RCSC 197A
Retailing and Consumer Sciences Academic Culture
Fall 2012
Meredith V. Parker: mvparker@email.arizona.edu
Course Title and Number:
RCSC 197: Retailing and Consumer Sciences Academic Culture
Description of Course:
The focus of this 1-unit colloquium is successful transition of students into the Retailing and
Consumer Sciences (RCSC) pre-major.
 Introduce students to careers in retailing
 Students will be able to navigate the RCSC pre-major and the UA policy along
with understanding applicable careers in the retailing and consumer sciences field.
Course Methodology
Class sections will consist of a combination of discussion, mini-lectures, and “active learning”
activities. Active learning activities will involve individual and small-group assignments and
field trips. Students are expected to attend class regularity, keep up with assignments and
participate fully in class discussions and activities.
Teaching Format:
Lecture
Required Texts:
Articles may be assigned throughout the semester. There is no book required or recommended
for this course.
Assignments:
Writing Assignment: Write a one-page description about why you chose to be a RCSC premajor and your career goals. Rubric/Assignment information is located on D2L.
Resume Assignment: Create your professional resume tailored to a specific job (choices located
in D2L) to use for securing an internship in retailing. Sign up for a specific job on the first day of
class and complete the resume checklist (Located in D2L). Turn in Resume and Resume
Checklist to both D2L dropbox AND a printed copy in class.
Job Selection Assignment: Teams will be given classmates’ resumes to pick the best candidate
for an assigned job. Rubric/Assignment information is located on D2L.
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Discussion Posts: Seven discussion posts are due throughout the semester. You can find
information about the discussion posts on D2L. Each Discussion Post if worth 5 points.
Rubric/Assignment information is located on D2L. Please look at the dates of when the
discussion posts open and close.
Discussion Post 1: Please write two questions for Enterprise after research their website.
(NOTES: I should be able to tell if you have researched their website just by reading your
questions; Be sure to pick different questions than those that are posted. I will be looking
at the time stamp and duplicate questions will not receive points.)
Discussion Post 2: Please write a response to the presentation by Enterprise. Respond to
two other students’ posts. (NOTE: make sure you make your original post in enough time
to respond to other students responses.)
Discussion Post 3: Please write two questions you would like to know from future RCSC
professors. (NOTE: Be sure to pick different questions than those that are posted. I will
be looking at the time stamp and duplicate questions will not receive points.)
Discussion Post 4: Please write a response to the presentation in class about Ethical
procedures and Critical Thinking Skills. Respond to two other students’ posts. (NOTE:
make sure you make your original post in enough time to respond to other students
responses.)
Discussion Post 5: Please write two questions you would like to know from current
RCSC students. (NOTE: Be sure to pick different questions than those that are posted. I
will be looking at the time stamp and duplicate questions will not receive points.)
Discussion Post 6: Please write a response to the presentation in class in regards to the
RCSC Instructors presentations. Respond to two other students’ posts. (NOTE: make sure
you make your original post in enough time to respond to other students responses.)
Discussion Post 7: Please write a response to the presentation in class in regards to the
RCSC Student Panel. Respond to two other students’ posts. (NOTE: make sure you make
your original post in enough time to respond to other students responses.)
Semester Graduation Plan: Create a four year plan on classes here at the University of
Arizona. Rubric/Assignment information is located on D2L.
Email Assignment: Given a typical scenario about a course-related issue encountered by RCSC
students, draft a professional email to the instructor to resolve the matter. Rubric/Assignment
information is located on D2L.
Think Tank Learning Session: Attend a Think-Tank information session on writing skills or
study skills. Have your Think Tank representative sign the Think Tank punch card located in the
think tank office. Complete and turn in the worksheet from D2L along with your punch card.
Experiential Learning Assignment: Attend a University of Arizona Career fair on September
20 or September 21 in the Student Union Memorial Center Third Floor Ballroom from 11am to
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4pm or attend two different information sessions by two different companies sponsored by the
Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing or attend two workshops by Career Services. Please plan
for the event in advance. Write a one-page in depth write up of the event(s). Rubric/Assignment
information is located on D2L.
Sexual Harassment Training Certificate: Students will complete the online training module
for the Human Resources training, “Preventing Sexual Harassment” at the following website:
http://training.newmedialearning.com/psh/uarizona/ . A certificate of completion must be printed
out and given to instructors with a grade of 85% or higher. (Retake the test until you received a
85% or higher). Rubric/Assignment information is located on D2L.
Portfolio Assignment: Put together a portfolio in a three ring binder with the information
discussed in class: assignments, notes, handouts and a one-page reflection. Include a table of
contents, cover page and your refection. Rubric/Assignment information is located on D2L.
Final Project:
With your assigned group, research and develop a presentation about an entry-level position for
RCSC graduates in the retailing sector. Present about responsibilities, duties, preferred education
and skills, and what TJL Center corporate partners offer employment.
50 points. This project has multiple due dates:
Group topic due: September 10
Power point presentations due: November 29 (please do not make any changes after
submission to D2L)
Group presentations: November 29 and December 12 from 3:30-5:30PM
Please expect to be in class both days.
Extra Credit: You can earn a maximum of 5 extra credit points in this class by completing one
of two assignments. The first assignment is to complete a pre- and post-test survey about your
knowledge about this major. The second assignment is to write a 5-6 page paper about a recent
RCSC graduate. This paper must be completed by November 1st and turned into the drop box by
2:00PM.
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Point Breakdown:
Class Attendance/Participation: (14 out of 15 classes @5 points each)
Discussion Questions/Participation (7@5 points each
Think Tank Learning Session
Writing Assignment
Email Assignment
Semester Graduation Plan
Resume Assignment
Job Selection Assignment
Sexual Harassment Certificate
Experiential Learning Assignment
Portfolio Assignment
Final Project
70
35
10
10
10
25
20
10
10
20
30
50
Total Points
300
Determination of Course Grade:
Percentage
Score
100-90%
300-269
89-80%
268-239
79-70%
238-209
69-60%
208-179
59% and below
179 and below
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken each class period. If you miss more than one class session
your grade will be adjusted down one letter grade for each class period missed.
Late Policy:
Late assignments will not be accepted. All entries should be typed and put into the D2L dropbox before
the start of class. If they are placed in the box after class has started they are considered late.
Assignment Format:
All assignments must be typed double spaced using 12 point Times New Roman Font with One Inch
Margins.
Classroom Behavior:
This course should be treated with professionalism. This includes all conventions of courtesy. Cellular
telephones will not be permitted at any time. All cell phones should be turned completely off, (not on
vibrate) and stored in purses or backpacks. Reading Newspapers, side conversations, and other disruptive
behaviors will not be tolerated. All disruptive behavior will be handled with the University’s policy.
Please refer to: http://web.arizona.edu/~policy/disruptive.pdf
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Special Needs and Accommodations:
If you need special accommodations or special services, you should contact the Disabilities Resource
Center (621-3268; http://drc.arizona.edu). The appropriate office must document the need for
accommodations before any accommodations can be provided to you.
Student Code of Academic Integrity:
You are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss class topics freely, but all graded work must
be completed independently unless otherwise instructed. You are expected to adhere to the UA code of
Academic Integrity as described in the UA general Catalog, and any suspected academic integrity
infractions will be pursued swiftly and seriously. Sanctions for violation of academic integrity range from
a warning to expulsion from the University DON’T DO IT! If I catch you cheating, I will file a report and
give an appropriate sanction. Please refer to: http://catalog.arizona.edu/policies/974/acacode.htm
Incomplete Grades and Withdrawals:
Students who wish to withdraw from this course must notify the instructor prior to non-attendance in
class and complete the proper drop or withdrawal procedures in accordance with the University of
Arizona General Catalog. An incomplete grade will be considered only under limited circumstances and
in accordance with the University of Arizona’s incomplete policy. Please refer to
http://catalog.arizona.edu/2010-11/policies/grade.htm. If an incomplete grade is awarded, a written
contract between the student and the instructor that specifies the work to be completed and an exact
timeline for completion must be verified prior to the final exam. This course CANNOT be repeated for
credit.
Statement of Copyrighted Materials:
Students are advised that all lecture notes, lectures, study guides and other course materials disseminated
by the instructor to the students, whether in class or online, are original materials and as such reflect
intellectual property of the instructor or author of those works. All readings, study guides, lecture notes
and handouts are intended for individual use by the student. Students may not distribute or reproduce
these materials for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the instructor. Students
who sell or distribute these materials for any use other than their own are in violation of the University’s
Intellectual Property Policy (available at http://www.ott.arizona.edu/uploads/ip_policy.pdf). Violations of
the instructors copyright may result in course sanctions and violate the Code of Academic Integrity.
Subject to Change Statement:
Other than the grade and absence policy, policies are subject to change with advance notice, as deemed
appropriate by me.
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Class Schedule for Thursday Class
Class
Topic
Items Due
August 23, 2012
Syllabus, D2L,
Expectations
Job sign-up for resume
August 30, 2012
Career Topics and Career Fair
Etiquette (Enterprise)
September 6, 2012
RCSC Information Session
Felicia Frontain
How do you write a professional
resume?
(Career Services)
Ethical Procedures and Critical
Thinking Skills
Jessica Kiesling
(Bring Laptops)
Interns (2:00-2:25)
Resumes Cont.
Writing Assignment and
Discussion Post 1 Due
(Extra Credit Survey Due)
Team and Topic for Final Project
Discussion Post 2 Due
Final Topic due to D2L Dropbox
September 13, 2012
September 20, 2012
September 27, 2012
October 4, 2012
Resumes Due
Sexual Harassment Training
Certificate
Job Selection Assignment
(Resume Revision Due)
October 18, 2012
What is Professional
Communication?
Jacqueline Larriva
Macy’s: Courtney McAbee
&
Learning Styles and Study
Strategies
Jessica Kiesling
UAccess (Bring Laptops)
October 25, 2012
RCSC Instructor Panel
November 1, 2012
RCSC Student Panel
Discussion Post 5 Due and
Semester Graduation Plan
Discussion Post 6 Due
November 8, 2012
Think Tank
Discussion Post 7 Due
November 15, 2012
Scholarships and CALS
(MCPRK: ROOM 402)
Think Tank Assignment Due
November 22, 2012
November 29, 2012
Thanksgiving (NO CLASS)
Final Presentations
ALL PRESENTATIONS DUE
BY 2:00PM
Jessica Kiesling &
Meredith Parker
Reading Day
(NO CLASS)
October 11, 2012
December 6, 2012
December 12, 2012
3:30-5:30 PM
Final Presentations
Jessica Kiesling &
Meredith Parker
Email Assignment and
Discussion Post 3 Due
Discussion Post 4 Due
Final Project and Portfolio Due
Experiential Learning Assignment
due by 2:00 in D2L dropbox
(Even though there is no class)
Pick Up Portfolio
(Extra Credit Survey Due)
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University of Arizona
Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences
Retailing and Consumer Sciences
RCSC 197A
Fall 2012
I______________________ have read and understand the syllabus.
Please print name
If I need any clarification on due dates or have questions I will
contact the instructor(s) directly. I also understand that no late work
will be accepted and it is my responsibility as a student to turn
assignments in on time. I know this course cannot be repeated. It is
my responsibility to drop the class or withdraw within the time
constraints.
Signature:__________________________________ Date:_____________________