THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO
THE BRYAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER, APPAREL, AND RETAIL STUDIES
Spring 2013
CRS 481: Contemporary Professional Issues in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies
Credits: 3 credit hours
Section 01: T/Th 9:30-10:45am, Petty Building 223
Ann Ramsey, Instructor
e-mail : agramsey@uncg.edu
Office: 359 Stone Building, office hours Tuesday and Thursday 11 – 12 and by appointment
COURSE SYLLABUS
PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES:
For APD concentration: APD 443, CRS 321, and CRS 463.
For GARI concentration: CRS 321, CRS 463, IGS 333, and RCS 464.
For RCS concentration: CRS 321, CRS 463, RCS 362, RCS 464, and RCS 560.
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to alter the syllabus if necessary. Additional information
about assignments, guest speakers and lecture topics may be given throughout the semester.
Course Description:
Study of contemporary issues related to consumer, apparel, and retail studies. Application of
knowledge and skills to solve real world industry problems. Emphasis on entrepreneurship.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Integrate consumer, aesthetic, and quantitative information into the product development
process.
Integrate a vast array of forecasting, costing, style, material, product quality/serviceability, and
product feasibility considerations into new product development.
Incorporate consumer research into the product development and retailing processes.
Plan and execute a successful promotional campaign for your own business enterprise.
Manage the operations of your own business enterprise.
Work effectively in a multi-function team.
TEACHING METHODS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR ACHIEVING LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course will be a combination of lectures, class discussions, student projects, and student
presentations. Lectures will be used to introduce key concepts and to provide information from the
outside readings. Thus, you will be expected to have read readings(s) assigned in the syllabus
prior to coming to class on that day. In addition, videos and guest speakers will be incorporated on
a limited basis.
The syllabus, assignments, and other info may be found on Blackboard. Documents will be
Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat formats (readers for either may be downloaded for free).
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 1 of 8
EVALUATION AND GRADING:
Course Evaluation:
All work completed for this course will meet the minimum requirements of the UNCG Honor Code.
Your grade will be based on University Guidelines; refer to The University of North Carolina at
Greensboro Undergraduate Bulletin. DO keep in mind that “excellent work” requires independent
thinking and that to receive this grade, you must bring qualities to your work “above and beyond”
those expected by this program. 1
GRADING SCALE
A+= 97.0-100
A = 93.0-96.99
A- = 90.0-92.99
B+=87.0-89.99
B = 83.0-86.99
B-=80.0-82.99
C+=77.0-79.99
C=73.0-76.99
C-=70.0-72.99
D+=67.0-69.99
D=63.0-66.99
D-=60.0-62.99
F=below 60
A = high quality work beyond stated requirements: “Excellent”
B = quality work satisfying requirements: “Very good”
C = work satisfies requirements: “good”
D = minimally acceptable: “needs more effort”
F = unacceptable
2
Course Requirements and Assignments
Group project
Overview
100 points of your overall grade will be based on a project in which your group will create, market,
and sell a product to a specific consumer group. Seventy-five (75) points of your individual grade
for the project will come from your performance in one of the team member roles. Twenty-five (25)
points of your individual grade will be based on the overall performance of the group members on
the written portions of and the success of project.
Team Member Roles & Assignments
Product Development Team (2 to 4 students; Designer; Manufacturer)—75 points
The designer and manufacturer are responsible for conducting design and consumer research,
creating sketches for a new product to be sold, and for providing flat and electronic patterns, a
spec sheet, a production sample, and manufacturing instructions for the new product. For an
individual grade, the designer will submit sketches of the product and prepare a one page report to
explain the specific aspects of the product that will appeal to the target market. The designer will
justify why the target market will want to buy the product based on the research conducted by the
product development team. The designer and the manufacturer will work together to develop the
flat and electronic patterns based on the sketches. The manufacturer will create the spec sheet, a
production sample, and manufacturing instructions for the new product and provide the information
to the factory for production. For an individual grade, the manufacturer will submit copies of the
electronic patterns, a spec sheet, and manufacturing instructions for the product and prepare a one
1
2
Adopted from IAR 321 S’06 syllabus
ibid
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 2 of 8
page report to detail the production process and any adjustments that were made to the original
sketch during production of the sample and/or final product.
Merchandising Team (1 to 2 students)—75 points
The merchandisers are responsible for sourcing the materials necessary to manufacture the
product in the correct quantities. The merchandisers will work in conjunction with the designer and
manufacturer to determine costs and quantities. The merchandisers will obtain the materials
needed to manufacturer the product in the appropriate quantities. All students in the group are
responsible for paying for the supplies! The merchandisers will deliver the materials to the
factory to begin production. For an individual grade, the merchandisers will prepare an item cost
sheet for the product. The merchandisers will also prepare a four-week plan containing information
about predicted sales and costs for each week. The merchandisers will write a one page report
containing their written justifications for the material costs and product quantities, as well as the
retail price to be charged for each product sold.
Product Marketing Team (1 to 2 students)—75 points
The product marketing team is responsible for creating a marketing plan for the product. The
product marketers need to develop an advertising and promotional campaign for the item directed
at members of the target market. The marketing plan should detail what will be done, where it will
be done, and when it will be done. The marketing team should work with the operations team to
coordinate visual merchandising efforts in the store (e.g., packaging, signage). For the individual
grade, the product marketers will submit this plan, along with justifications for their decisions. The
product marketers will also execute one aspect of their marketing plan during a specified week and
will assess the effectiveness of their selected activity.
Retail Operations Team (1 to 2 students)—75 points
The operations team is responsible for picking up the finished products from the factory, delivering
the products to be sold at the store and merchandising them in the store, tracking sales, collecting
payments for sales, and collecting unsold merchandise from the store at the end of the selling
period. All students in the group should receive payment for the sales of the merchandise!
The operations team needs to analyze the sales receipts in comparison to the four-week plan
prepared by the merchandising team. The operations team will also collect information about the
actual buyers to compare to the information about the target market prepared by the design team.
For an individual grade, the operations team will write a one page report to document the
difference between the predicted and actual sales and the predicted and actual customers. The
one page report will provide a potential explanation for the differences as well as recommendations
for the future concerning the product design, the manufacturing, the merchandising, and the
marketing.
Please note, late assignments will not be accepted.
Individual assignments
A series of individual assignments will also be completed throughout the semester. A handout
detailing these assignments will be distributed separately.
Final exam
The final exam is scheduled for. Although no formal final exam will be given in the course, we will
meet during the final exam period to “debrief” and discuss our experiences (both good and bad),
the lessons we learned, and our plans for the future.
Attendance and participation are required at this session. During the session, each group will
prepare a presentation to show the class their product, their sales results, and their lessons
learned. If you do not attend this session, you will be given a zero “0” for your individual
group project grade.
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 3 of 8
Final Grading
Individual assignments
Group project
Total
50%
50%
100%
REQUIRED TEXTS/READINGS/REFERENCES & COURSE PROJECT FEE:
In lieu of a textbook, the following readings will be provided to you, free of charge:
Filson, A. & Lewis, A. (2000). Cultural issues in implementing changes to new
product
development process in a small medium sized enterprise (SME). Journal of Engineering Design,
11(2), 149-157.
Five products that failed and why. (2011, January 13). Forbes. Retrieved November 4,
2012, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2011/01/13/5-products-that-failed-andwhy/
Gary, S. P., & Ulasewicz, C. (1998). Made in America. Sebastopol, CA: GarmentoSpeak.
Gehlhar, M. (2005). The fashion designer survival guide. New York, NY: Kaplan.
Metikurke, A. & Shekar, A. (2011) An empirical study of important dimensions of new product
development practices in small and medium enterprises in New Zealand. International Journal
of Industrial Engineering, 18(2), 83-91.
Regan, C. L. (2008). Apparel product design and merchandising strategies. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Because you do not have to buy a textbook but you will have to manufacture products to sell to
consumers by the end of the semester, every student is required to pay aaproximately $50 for
materials and supplies for the course project.
TOPICAL OUTLINE/CALENDAR:
Date
Day
Topic
14 Jan
Tue
Course Introduction
16 Jan
Thur
21 Jan
Tue
23 Jan
Thur
New Product Development
(2.1 A powerpoint)
New Product Opportunity Recognition
2.1 A quiz (in-class activity)
2.3 powerpoint
(2.3 D in-class activity)
Introduce 2.3 C for homework
Idea Generation & Screening
Consumer Market Analysis—Primary &
Secondary Research; Design
Research
Readings & Items Due
Read the syllabus!
Discuss & select team roles
Finalize group membership
2.3 C Due
Gehlhar, M. (2005). (pp. 39-44)
Regan, C. L. (2008). (pp. 76-91).
Groups meet to finalize
product idea
Product Development Teams
start working on research &
designs
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 4 of 8
28 Jan
Tue
Concept Development & Testing
Design, Sketch, and Pattern Development
30 Jan
Thur
Visit Industries of the Blind
4 Feb
Tue
Business Analysis
Key Financials
2.5 A in class
6 Feb
Thur
Merchandising—Planning, Sourcing, and
Costing
11 Feb
Tue
Merchandising—Planning, Sourcing, and
Costing
2.5 B in class
13 Feb
Thur
18 Feb
Tue
20 Feb
Thur
Regan, C. L. (2008). (pp. 172194; 455-459)
Product Development Teams
continue working on designs
and patterns
All groups meet with instructor
Product Development Teams
continue working on designs,
patterns, spec sheet,
production sample, and
manufacturing instructions;
Product Development Teams
and Merchandising Teams
meet to discuss materials
needed
Gary, S. P., & Ulasewicz, C.
(1998). (pp. 33-50; 51-56)
Regan, C. L. (2008). (pp. 117;
129-138; 325-329; 343-346; 352355; 446-455; 487-488)
Merchandising Teams obtain
materials needed, work on item
cost sheet, and work on fourweek plan
2.5 B due
Merchandising Teams obtain
materials needed, work on item
cost sheet, and work on fourweek plan
Deliver Sketches, Patterns, Spec Sheets,
Production Samples, Manufacturing
Instructions, and Materials to Industries of
the Blind
Being Creative
2.4 A in class
Market Testing & Commercialization
Gary, S. P., & Ulasewicz, C.
Marketing to Consumers
(1998). (pp. 57-74)
25 Feb
Tue
Operations
27 Feb
Thur
Visit the Spartan Trader Store
Gehlhar, M. (2005). (pp. 87-98;
145-158)
Regan, C. L. (2008). (pp. 476479)
Product Marketing Teams work
on marketing plan
Gary, S. P., & Ulasewicz, C.
(1998). (pp. 83-92)
Gehlhar, M. (2005). (pp. 99-143)
Operations Teams set up
account at Spartan Trader
Store
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 5 of 8
4 Mar
Tue
New Product Development in the International Metikurke, A. & Shekar, A.
Market
(2011)
2.6 A in class
2.4 F for homework
New Product Development in the International 2.4 F due
Market
Students present 2.4 F
Spring Break
Class Excused
6 Mar
Thur
11 Mar
Tue
13 Mar
Thur
Spring Break
18 Mar
Tue
20 Mar
Thur
New Product Development in the International
Market
2.3 E in class
Group Meetings with Instructor
25 Mar
Tue
27 Mar
Thur
1 Apr
Tue
3 Apr
Thur
8 Apr
Tue
10 Apr
Thur
15 Apr
Tue
17 Apr
Thur
22 Apr
Tue
24 Apr
Thur
Class Excused
Pick up Finished Products at Industries of
the Blind
CARS Advising Day
Deliver Products to Spartan Trader Store Operations Teams check in
products and set up product
displays in the Spartan Trader
store
Begin Selling at the Beginning of the Week
Careers in New Product Development
2.3 B in class
Your Predictions
2.2 B in class
Group Meetings
(Mid-Selling Check in)
Group Meetings
(Mid-Selling Check In)
Group Meetings with Instructor
Marketing Teams report to
other team members
Operations Teams report to
other team members
What’s Next
2.1 B in class
Group Meetings with Instructor
Stop Selling at the end of the Week
All groups meet to finalize
group project paper
Last Day of Class
Final Exam
Meet to discuss group project
Submit final group project paper
for grading
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 6 of 8
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:
Academic integrity
The UNCG Academic Integrity Policy states,” If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated,
it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are
incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated.”
By choosing to enroll in this course and by completing assignments, projects, examinations, etc.,
you are by default held to the standards of the Academic Integrity Policy, and you are subject to
sanctions should you violate the policy in any manner.
Professionalism
A professional demeanor is expected of students. Showing respect for the instructor and classmates
is very important, including arriving class on time, completing assignments on time, listening to and
accepting other’s points of views that are differing from one’s own, and being adequately prepare
for each class. Honesty and independent work is expected on all assignments. Students are
encouraged to seek advice from the instructor when needed, in a timely manner in order that
sufficient time is given to resolve problems or complete assignments.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Class attendance is required every day. For much of the semester, teamwork will require the
presence and involvement of all team members. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the
class. If you are not present at the time attendance is taken, you will be considered absent. Two
unexcused absences will be allowed, but use them wisely. For every unexcused absence beyond two,
your grade will be reduced by one-third letter grade. Course content will be demonstrated only
during the class period. It is the responsibility of the individual student to get any class notes,
handouts, assignments, or schedule changes for missed classes. Opportunities for deadline
extensions and make-up exams will only be given to those who have a documented, Universityapproved excused absence (e.g., family death, illness with doctor’s note).
In the event of an extended illness, the student and I will consider alternatives.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
In lieu of a final exam, we will meet during the final exam period to “debrief” and discuss our
experiences (both good and bad), the lessons we learned, and our plans for the future. Attendance
and participation are required at this session. If you do not attend this session, you will be
given a zero “0” for your individual group project grade.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
N/A
University Academic Integrity Policy Regarding Cheating: “Intentionally using or attempting to
use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. Cheating
includes but is not limited to unauthorized copying from the work of another student, using notes or
other materials not authorized during an examination, giving or receiving information or assistance
on work when it is expected that a student will do his/her own work, or engaging in any similar act
that violates the concept of academic integrity. Cheating may occur on an examination, test, quiz,
laboratory work report, theme, out of class assignment or any other work submitted by a student to
fulfill course requirements and presented as solely the work of the student.”
Appropriate sanctions for offenders include failing the assignment, failing the course, or
recommended expulsion.
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 7 of 8
Registration: It is the student's responsibility to ensure proper enrollment in classes. You are
advised to review your official class schedule during the first week of the semester to ensure
proper enrollment. Should you determine an error in your class schedule, correct it with your
advising office.
UNCG seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting
accommodations based on a disability must be registered with the Office of Disability Services
located in 215 EUC. www.uncg.edu/ods
CRS 481 syllabus, S’14, page 8 of 8