E-mail: johnston@utm.edu

Office Address: Business Administration Building Rm. 218

Office Hours: Office hours are posted

Office Phone: (731) 587-7354

Dept. of MMPS office: BA.115 (587-7238)

Course Objectives:

Course Objectives: 

1.  To provide a comprehensive framework for the study of consumer behavior including psychological, interpersonal, and environmental influences on consumers.

2.  To explore the effects of consumer decision making on the firm's marketing strategy. 

3.  To examine consumer rights, ethics, and the societal and policy implications of consumer behavior and marketing strategy.

4.  To give students the opportunity to perform original applied consumer behavior research and then make inferences based on that research.

5.  To provide opportunities for students to improve their interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills.

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Student Outcomes:

1.  A process objective is for students to read assigned chapters in the textbook. Students will demonstrate this activity by answering multiple-choice and open-ended questions as homework.

2.  A second process objective is for students to participate in classroom discussions and activities. Students will demonstrate their participation by completing assessments of case studies, videos, and  guest speakers.

3.  Students will demonstrate the mastery of the subject by their performance on exams, and on a cumulative final exam.

Course Content:

Course Content:  

Consumer behavior and marketing strategy, external and internal influences on consumer behavior, the consumer decision process, organizations as consumers, and related issues in marketing practice and society.

Area 1:  Consumer behavior and marketing strategy:  The interaction between the marketer and the consumer from both perspectives.  A model of consumer behavior is introduced. 

Area 2:  External influences:  The macro-level influences on consumer behavior (e.g. culture, society, and group determinants). 

Area 3:  Internal influences:  Person-specific influences and characteristics (e.g. motivation, perception, attitudes) that affect consumer decision-making. 

Area 4:  Consumer decision process:  A model of consumer decision making based on the level of involvement. 

Area 5:  Organizations as consumers: How business decisions are made.

 Area 6:  Consumer behavior, marketing practice, and society:  Consumerism and regulatory issues.

.  Graded events:

Grading Procedures:

A.  Graded events:

Note:  Assignments and class-work grades are generally worth equal “shares” of the point total.  For example, if 50 assignment and class-work items are possible in the course, then each item is worth 2 points. 

Class Policies:

Class Policies:

A.  Examinations.  Exam question responses will be in the format of short answer and multiple choice.  The exam questions will sample knowledge of the assigned material in the textbook, of material presented in class, and of material introduced in assignments.  Exams may include material in the textbook that is not covered in homework or class-work.

Exams are generally not graded “on a curve.”  Grades are determined by the percentage of correct answers, and assigned based on the scale shown in section XIII.

The final exam content is “cumulative” of the course overall.

B.  Missed exam.  In the event that a student misses a scheduled exam, the student's score on the final exam will be substituted for the missed exam score.  This substitution is allowed only once, which means that a second missed exam will earn a score of zero.  The final exam must be taken at the time specified by the University.

C.  Grade posting.  Due to privacy concerns, no grades will be posted.

D.  Assignments.  Students will be asked to complete assignments, some in class and some as homework, during the course.  These assignments can include case studies, World-Wide Web exercises, field research, library research, questions about reading assignments, or quizzes.  The assignments can include written and spoken parts. 

Assignments are due when collected in class, or by the time specified if submitted electronically.  Assignments submitted after the appointed time will be late, and late homework assignments are generally not accepted (but see "give me a break" below.)  Students can submit homework early in the case of a planned absence, on a limited basis.  There is no opportunity to make up missed in-class work, whether or not the absence was “excused” or not. 

"Give me a break."  Each student gets two "breaks."  One can use a "break" to turn in a homework assignment late (up to one week from due date).

E.  Writing.  Students should submit written work in typed form, unless told otherwise.  To be acceptable, written work should be largely free of typographical, spelling, and grammar errors.  Students will be asked to submit some written work via electronic mail.  Typically students will receive a handout that gives the requirements of each assignment. 

F.  Speaking.  Students will have the opportunity to practice their speaking skills in presentations to the class.

G.  Attendance and active participation.  It is necessary for one to attend class and to participate actively in order to fulfill the requirements of the course.  Arriving late, sleeping, and leaving early does not equal "active participation."

H.  Classroom behavior.  A goal for the classroom is to have a positive, attentive, courteous environment that is conducive to learning.  Being on time, being alert, participating in discussion and activities, staying for the full class time, and generally contributing to the learning experience of one's classmates are desirable behaviors.

I.  Academic dishonesty.  Academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, is not acceptable behavior.  No credit will be awarded for work that results from dishonest behavior.

J.  Questions regarding the student's final grade in the course must be raised with the instructor within seven weeks after the final exam date.

K.  The policies and guidelines of the University of Tennessee at Martin, the University Undergraduate Catalog, the UTM Student Handbook, the College of Business Administration and Public Affairs, and the Department of Management, Marketing and Political Science shall govern this course as appropriate.

Disability Statement

Disability Statement:

Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation from P.A.C.E. or Student Academic Support Center within the first two weeks of the semester.