guided independent study

130:106g Consumer Behavior
Course Details        Return to course list         Enrollment information

Course credit

3 credit hours

Course description

Findings of psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists, and marketers in relationship to internal and external influences on buyer behavior and marketing-related decision making.

Delivery

web This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and WebCT, a computer conferencing program. WebCT requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.

print This course is available in a print-based format. Mail completed assignments to the GIS Office. We will forward them to the instructor for grading.

Prerequisites

UNI students: 130:101; 920:024 or 920:053; junior standing

College of Business Administration majors or minors cannot take this course through guided independent study.

Instructor

Michael Klassen, Associate Professor

Evaluation

10 assignments, 4 exams

Overview

First-time students of consumer behavior usually enjoy the class. Their enjoyment is largely due to the fact that they are, themselves, consumers, and therefore they can personally relate to the ideas and theories to which they are introduced. Most of us can relate to questions like: "What motivates us to buy one brand of jeans over another," or "How does our socialization as children affect whether or not we judge a product to be a luxury or a necessity," or "Does advertising really affect our consumer decisions?" Think back over the last 24 hours. You'll probably be surprised by the number of consumer-related decisions you've made.

This course has two broad goals:

  1. To familiarize students with various social science theories that explain consumer behavior.
  2. To help students understand the cultural underpinnings of consumer behavior.

Assignments

There will be 10 written assignments. Each assignment will consist of 3-5 questions on topics covered in your chapter reading. You should respond to each question with a single paragraph "essay type" response, single-spaced and typewritten. Your essay responses should be written in your own words; do not copy word-for-word out of your textbook.

Exams

For quick reference, here is what your exam schedule looks like:

  • Exam 1 covers chapters 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7
  • Exam 2 covers chapters 6, 8, 9 and 10
  • Exam 3 covers chapters 11, 12, 13 and 14
  • Exam 4 covers chapters 15, 16, 17 and 18

Grading

Your exam scores will account for 65% of your final grade. Your written assignment scores will account for 35% of your final grade.

  • Your grade will be determined by using the following scale:
  • A = about 90-100% of total points
  • B = about 80-90% of total points
  • C = about 70-80% of total points
  • D = about 60-70% of total points
  • F = less than 60% of total points

Textbook(s)

Schiffman, L. and Kanuk, L. (9th edition). Consumer Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall (2007).

Texts are available from the vendor of your choice or
University Book and Supply
1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com

To enroll

ONLINE
GIS enrollment information

IN PERSON
UNI Continuing Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)

For more information

Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu