RM2215 Introduction to Retail Merchandising
Hyunjoo Im, Ph.D.
RM 2215 Introduction to Retail Merchandising
Spring 2014, 3 credits
Online
Instructor
Office
Contact
Office hours
Hyunjoo Im, Ph.D.
348 McNeal Hall
hjim@umn.edu; 612-625-8234 (email is the best way to reach me)
Wed 1:00-2:30pm, Thr 11:00am-12:00pm, or by appointment
TAs/ Office hours
Eunju Yoon, yoonx299@umn.edu /250 McNeal, Mon 10:00am-12:00pm
Jiajing Wu, wuxx0713@umn.edu /207 McNeal, Tue 3:00pm-4:30pm
OVERALL COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE OBJECTIVES
EXPECTED
OUTCOMES
TEXT
COURSE WEBSITE
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
To learn different aspects of retailing management
To comprehend the interrelationships among diverse facets of retailing management
To discuss and explore the problems and issues in retailing management
Be equipped with knowledge of retailing management
Be able to explain how retailers successfully deliver their goods and services to the market
Be able to identify problems in retail and provide solutions to them
th
Levy, M., & Weitz, B. A. (2012). Retailing Management (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
(Required)
https://ay13.moodle.umn.edu/course/view.php?id=6604
DO NOT ASK MOODLE QUESTIONS to the TA or the instructor. We do not have answers for most of your questions.
Office of Information Technology provides support for Moodle use. You may share what you communicated with
them with us.
INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATION
COURSE POLICIES
WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
2.
3.
This is a 100% online class. To help you progress in a timely manner and complete the course successfully,
new course contents will be available on Fridays before the scheduled week.
There are weekly online quizzes. Students must complete the quiz following the policy.
a. Online quizzes cover the assigned textbook chapter and supplementary materials. All
supplementary materials will be available on Moodle.
b. Quizzes will open on Thursday at 6am and close at 5pm Friday. Students may choose to take the
quiz anytime during those 35 hour period.
c. Weekly quizzes are timed and students will be given 20 minutes.
d. Students may take the quiz up to TWICE. The best score will be kept. The questions for two quizzes
will be different.
There will be no makeup for online quizzes, even with the university-approved excuses or the technical
issues. There is a total of 12 online quizzes, and 10 scores out of 12 will be used for the class assessment (the
2 lowest scores will be dropped). This structure – 2 attempts per quiz, and the 2 lowest scores dropping –
provides a good buffer for any unforeseen events.
ASSIGNMENTS & EXAMS
4.
5.
1
Three exams will be given during the semester.
a. Exams are scheduled on week 5, 10, and 15. Exams will be open between Thursday 6am and Friday
5pm.
b. Exams are timed (35 minutes time limit)
c. Exams are non-cumulative and cover material assigned in texts, outside readings, and class
activities.
d. Students have a SINGLE chance to take the exams.
Make up exams
a. Prior approval to miss an examination will be given in the event of extenuating circumstances and
the student will be expected to present the proof of such extenuating circumstances. Doctors’
visits due to minor illness cannot be a legitimate excuse. REQUEST FOR MAKE UP DUE TO
RM2215 Syllabus
6.
EMERGENCY SHOULD BE NOTIFIED BY MIDNIGHT OF THE SCHEDULED EXAM DATE. The instructor
holds the right to determine whether the student will be required to take a make-up examination
or not.
b. Difficulty, the number of questions, or types of questions can be different from the original exams.
c. Any student who is allowed to make up an exam will take the make-up exam during the final’s
week. The make-up exam is a comprehensive exam, covering all materials for the course. NO
MAKE UPS FOR QUIZZES WILL BE PROVIDED.
Assignments
a. Individual assignments: There are several individual assignments such as worksheets and
discussions. All assignments should be completed online and submitted via Moodle.
b. Students will be randomly assigned to a group through Moodle during the first week and work with
the assigned group members for all group activities and assignments.
c. Group assignments: There are three group assignments to research and evaluate a retailer.
Detailed guidelines will be provided separately.
d. Group discussion/activities: Students will engage in group discussions and a case study.
e. Due dates: NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. In the event of emergency, notify the instructor
BEFORE that day or within 24 hours of the assignment deadline.
f. File submission: All assignment files MUST be submitted via Moodle. No email submission is
accepted. Email submissions will NOT be recognized as a submission.
GENERAL POLICIES
7.
As a 100% online class, students must have an access to reliable Internet connection. If a student has
difficulty connecting to the Internet, he/she is strongly encouraged to drop the course.
8. The official communication method in this class will be emails. It is your responsibility to make sure that you
check and clean email account. Please CHECK YOUR EMAIL ON A DAILY BASIS AND DO NOT LET YOUR EMAIL
GET OVERLOADED.
9. For all email communications, always state your full name and the course number on the subject line. And
please check the syllabus before you send an email – Questions whose answers are available on the syllabus
or Moodle are not appreciated.
10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY IS A SERIOUS OFFENCE AND WILL BE TAKEN ACCORDINGLY. At no time is copying
other people’s words or ideas permissible. Academic misconduct includes cheating on the test, copying other
people’s work without proper citation, and so on. If academic dishonesty was found, the student(s) will be
dismissed from the class and reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (OSCAI).
11. Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should
contact the instructor privately to discuss your specific needs. Students with disabilities are encouraged to
contact the Disability Services (612-624-1333, 180 McNamara) to coordinate course accommodations.
12. Grading Appeals: You may appeal your grade on any assignment or exam within ONE WEEK of time you are
given your grade or it was available to you. All appeals must be computer generated and include the reason
for the appeal and any sources that support your appeal.
WORK LOAD
EXPECTATIONS
&
HOW TO BE
SUCCESSFUL IN THIS
CLASS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Online classes require students to be more personally disciplined and motivated in order to be successful. It
is essential that you allot two 2-hour (or three 1.5 hour) time slots in your regular weekly schedule AND
CONSISTENTLY USE THESE TIMES to study the class materials. Mark RM2215 on your school calendar with
other classes so that you know when you will work on this course material.
Online quizzes assume you completed your readings and/or watched videos before the quiz. Plan on
completing your reading at least 12 hours prior to the quiz. Give yourself a minimum of 3 hours to consider
and synthesize the assigned materials per week. Making summary notes will be helpful in taking the quiz.
Keep in mind how grades are defined. If you complete all the necessary requirements for an assignment,
that merely means your work is satisfactory, which is defined as C. If you wish to get a better grade than a C,
you will have to be above average and produce work that is significantly better in quality than the average.
Make sure you carefully read and understand the syllabus. You need to understand what the expectations
are.
Be mindful of course due dates.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Personal Electronic Devices in
Classroom
http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/CLASSROOMPED.html
Use of Class Notes and
Materials
http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/CLASSNOTESSTUDENTS.html
Scholastic Dishonesty and
Student Conduct Code
http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf
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RM2215 Syllabus
Sexual Harassment
http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.pdf
Statement on Climate of
Inclusivity
You are expected to be attentive during class, ask questions if you do not understand something, and to offer
your opinion. You are also expected to listen respectfully to other students and to me when speaking. The
University of Minnesota is committed to providing a safe climate for all students, faculty, and staff. All
persons shall have equal access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, color, creed, religion,
national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual
orientation. Racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ageism and other forms of bigotry are inappropriate to
express in this class. Reports of harassment are taken seriously, and there are individuals and offices
available for help.
(or refer to http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/administrative/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.pdf)
Academic Freedom and
Responsibility
http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Academic_Freedom.pdf
Availability of Disability and
Mental Health Services
If you have any special classroom requirements please contact one of the offices listed below. They will work
with you and, if necessary, they will contact the instructor to work out the details for any necessary
accommodations.

Student Academic Success Services, 340 Appleby Hall, 612-624-3323

Counseling/Consulting Services, 199 Coffey Hall, 612-624-3323

Disability Services, 180 McNamara, 612-626-1333

Center for Writing, 10 Nicholson Hall, 612-626-7579
Or refer to http://ds.umn.edu/student-services.html and http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
REQUIREMENTS
Individuals
Group
3 Exams (80pts each)
10 Online quizzes (Out of 12)
Syllabus Quiz
4 worksheets
Activities/discussions
3 assignments
Discussion/case study
Total
GRADING SCALE
A
94%
A90%
B+
87%
B
84%
B80%
C+
77%
C
74%
C70%
D+
67%
D
60%
F
564
540
522
504
480
462
444
420
402
360
Below 360
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
And above
563
539
521
503
479
461
443
419
401
Pts
assigned
240
150
20
40
50
60
40
600
Weight
40%
25%
3%
7%
8%
10%
7%
100%
Note
You will receive the grade you earn in this class. Grades
reflect effort and ability. Some students will achieve grades
that do not reflect their true ability, because they have not
put forth the effort required. No forced grade distribution
or “curve” will be used.
What the grade means
Signifies achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course
requirements
Signifies achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet the course
requirements
Signifies achievements that meets the course requirements; Satisfactory
Signifies achievements that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet course
requirements
Indicates coursework was completed but at an achievement level unworthy of credit.
* Students may not request supplementary assignments for “extra” credit, since offering opportunities to some students that are not available to all
would be unfair. Exams may list problems for “extra credit” but these opportunities, if available, will be available to all students.
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RM2215 Syllabus
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
WK
Dates
TOPIC
Textbook
0
01/2101/24
Syllabus, Course overview
SYLLABUS Quiz
1
01/2701/31
World of retailing, Retailer types
Quiz1
Ch1&2
2
02/0302/07
Multichannel Retailing
Quiz2
Ch3
Online discussion by 2/6 (Thr
5pm)
Quiz 2 by 2/7 (Fri 5pm)
3
02/1002/14
Retail Market Strategy
Quiz3
Ch5
Assignment 1 by 2/16 (Sun
11:59pm) (G)
Quiz 3 by 2/14 (Fri 5pm)
4
02/1702/21
Financial Strategy
Quiz4
Ch6
Worksheet1 by 2/20 (Thr 5pm)
Quiz 4 by 2/21 (Fri 5pm)
5
02/2402/28
Exam review/Study week
EXAM 1
Ch1-3, 5-6.
Assignments/Activities
(G-group; all others - individual)
Self-introduction exercise by
1/30 (Thr 5pm)
Quizzes and Exams
Syllabus quiz by 1/30 (Thr 5pm)
Quiz 1 by 1/31 (Fri 5pm)
2/27 (Thr) 6am –2/28 (Fri) 5pm
6
03/0303/07
Customer buying behaviors
Quiz5
Ch4
Market segment activity by 3/6
(Thr 5pm)
Quiz 5 by 3/7 (Fri 5pm)
7
03/1003/14
Retail Location
Quiz6
Ch7
Case study by 3/16 (Sun
11:59pm) (G)
Quiz 6 by 3/14 (Fri 5pm)
03/1703/21
SPRING BREAK
8
03/2403/28
Site Location
Quiz 7
Ch8
Worksheet2 by 3/27 (Thr 5pm)
Quiz 7 by 3/28 (Fri 5pm)
9
03/3104/04
Store layout, design, and VMD
Quiz 8
Ch17
Assignment 2 by 4/6 (Sun
11:59pm)
Quiz 8 by 4/4 (Fri 5pm)
10
04/0704/11
Exam review/Study week
EXAM 2
Ch 4, 7, 8, 17
4/10 (Thr) 6am- 4/11 (Fri) 5pm
11
04/1404/18
Managing the store
Quiz 9
Ch16
Store comparison discussion by
4/20 (Sun 11:59pm) (G)
Quiz 9 by 4/18 (Fri 5pm)
12
04/2104/25
Buying Merchandise
Quiz 10
Ch13
Assignment 3 by 4/27 (Sun
11:59pm) (G)
Quiz 10 by 4/25 (Fri 5pm)
13
04/2805/02
Retail Pricing
Quiz 11
Ch14
Worksheet3 by 5/1(Thr 5pm)
Quiz 11by 5/2 (Fri 5pm)
14
05/0505/09
Customer Service
Quiz 12
Ch 18
Worksheet4 by 5/8 (Thr 5pm)
Quiz 12 by 5/9 (Fri 5pm)
Final
05/1205/16
EXAM 3
Ch 13,14,16,18
5/12(Mon) 6am- 5/13(Tue) 5pm
Make-up exam
All chapters
5/14 (Wed) 6am-5pm
*(G) in the assignments denotes group work.
*Syllabus and activity schedule may be modified dependent upon class progress and instructor’s decision to include activities relevant to
course development. The instructor will notify students of changes via email.
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