Writing in the Discipline of marketing concerns three major areas: writing done by marketing managers; writing clearly and concisely; and writing with others. Topics include: target market; the marketing mix; product; promotion; price; and distribution.
MGT 301 Foundations of Management
Management students (in all concentrations) and marketing students must be able to plan, write, and complete reports, recommendations for action, memoranda, and letters. Instructions for planning, writing, and completing these documents are provided in the assignment handouts and during discussions in the course.
In some sections of the course:
1. Students will complete a field research project in which they profile the management functions and issues of a manager in a local organization. This assignment has multiple elements and counts for 20% of the course grade.
- Students must write a two paragraph memo proposing a manager they would like to interview for the assignment.
- Based on an interview they conduct with the manager, students write a paper that (a) presents a narrative report of the management functions and issues of the organization, (b) compares and contrasts what they find with concepts we cover in the course, (c) compares and contrasts what they find with their expectations, and (d) makes a six-part recommendation proposing an action the manager may adopt to improve management in the organization. The paper is typically 8 to 15 pages long.
- A complete first draft is peer reviewed using a structured review form.
- The final draft, along with a copy of a thank you letter the student sent to the manager, is submitted for scoring.
2. In groups of 4 to 6, students read and analyze a popular book about management. They write:
- a project plan,
- an annotated presentation outline, and
- a slide show supported 15-minute presentation of their findings.
- Multiple drafts of the documents may be created and submitted for feedback. This assignment counts as 10% of the course grade.
In other sections of the course:
- Students write a term paper in four parts. The whole paper is worth 15% of the final grade.
- Papers are two-pages in length to allow students to focus on their good writing as well as the technique of writing for general management.
- In the papers, students apply lessons on the business environment, ethics and social responsibility, and the four functions of managing (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) to their group as a mini-organization.
MKT 301 Introduction to Marketing
Writing instruction and practice are delivered in two formats. First, there are two writing assignments involving critical thinking and creativity. The students are taught how to explain how creative concepts are implemented to develop the creative outputs required by the assignment. Also, detailed explanations of the thought processes utilized must be presented. These assignments typically each result in two typewritten pages. A formal strategic marketing plan is also required. This plan requires a table of contents, goals most of which should be quantifiable along with time frames for accomplishment, prescriptive tactics, competitive analyses, and accompanying appendices involving tables, charts, figures, time lines, and proforma income statements. Additionally, description on the product/service, pricing, promotion, and distribution is required. These strategic plans typically span 12-15 pages. This end of semester assignment is a simulation (with fictitious information) in which students are taught to how to write a formal marketing strategic plan.
MGT 322 Organizational Behavior
Management students (in the general and human resource management concentrations) and marketing students must be able to collaboratively plan, write, and complete reports, recommendations for action, memoranda, and letters.
Instructions for planning, writing, and completing these documents (and their components) are provided in the assignment handouts and during discussions in the course. Emphasis is placed on learning to write collaboratively.
In groups of 4 to 6, students will complete a field research project in which they profile and analyze the motivational practices use in a local organization. This assignment has multiple elements and counts for 25% of the course grade.
- Students write a project plan outlining tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines.
- Students then write a two paragraph memo proposing a manager they would like to interview for the assignment.
- Based on an interview they conduct with the manager, students write a paper that (a) provides a narrative report describing the motivation practices and issues of the organization, (b) analyzes what they find in light of motivation theory and research, and identifies strengths and weaknesses of the organization’s approach, and (c) makes a six-part recommendation proposing an action the manager may adopt to improve motivation practices in the organization. The paper is typically 10 to 15 pages long.
- A first draft of each major section of the paper (i.e., interview findings, analysis, and recommendation) is submitted in sequence to the instructor for a substantial content and “style” review.
- The final draft, along with minutes of each of the group’s meetings and a copy of a thank you letter the student sent to the manager, is submitted for scoring.
- Students then prepare and deliver a 15-minute slide show supported presentation of their report to the class.
Approved by the Committee on General Education
February 24, 2012