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Instructor: Sage Lewis Spring 2011 semester
sage@sagerock.com 6100:201-001
http://www.facebook.com/sagerock Intro to eBusiness
T Th 3:15 pm ± 4:30 pm
CBA 147


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The Internet and other forms of digital media have created unique and
challenging business opportunities involving electronic commerce. Therefore, this
course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the basic concepts
and approaches used in developing successful business strategies involving
information technologies.

eBusiness may encompass Internet marketing, virtual product experiences,

digital distribution, customer relationship management, social networking,
consumer insights, and user-generated content, among numerous other areas.
You will learn about all of these topics and more during this course.

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The goal of the course is to provide insight into developing effective ecommerce
strategies used in business. Specifically, the objectives are:

K To introduce common vocabulary and concepts associated with

ecommerce.
K To present a basic understanding of the technology influencing current
ecommerce practices.
K To understand the factors impacting ecommerce practices and the
barriers managers face in developing ecommerce strategy.

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ºlectronic Commerce, 6th ed. (2010). Jae K. Lee, David King, Ting Peng Liang
and Deborrah Turban. Pearson. ISBN: 0136100368

We will be using a Facebook Group for this class. Do a search for it and request
to join. On Facebook, search for ³University of Akron ºbiz Spring 2011´
Be aware that we may also be using Springboard course management system to
distribute weekly lecture materials, assignments, readings and announcements
from the instructor. You will be responsible for checking the Springboard course
site regularly which can be accessed at http://springboard.uakron.edu. cc c
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The best ways of contacting Sage are through his email address
(sage@sagerock.com) or through Facebook.

º-mail will also be used as a means of communication with students. It is the

student's responsibility to keep the University informed as to changes in his or
her e-mail address.

Students are expected to check e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to
stay current with University-related communications, recognizing that certain
communications may be time-critical. It is recommended that e-mail be checked
daily.


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The format of the course will consist of a range of tasks that reflect different types
of learning styles using a combination of lecture, discussion, and assignments.

The various tasks should challenge you to perform across multiple formats
demonstrating your overall comprehension and understanding of the course
material.

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Lecture material will review the basic principles associated with the assigned
topic each day and originate from the book, outside sources, and personal
knowledge. Keep in mind though that it is impossible to cover every bit of
information within the assigned readings so students must accept responsibility
during the learning process. Also, students should be prepared to take notes
during each class.
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All assigned readings should be completed before coming to class because they
will serve as the foundation for class discussion. If you have not completed the
readings, it will be difficult for you to contribute meaningfully in class.

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In class discussion is a critical component of this course so everyone is expected
to thoroughly prepare and actively participate. Participation is considered asking
questions, answering questions, giving examples, and challenging ideas. Strong
decision-making and problem solving skills are not acquired by passively
attending class and only taking notes. Meaning, active participation and critical
thinking about the concepts and issues presented is the best course of action.

Participation will be recorded and taken into account for the student¶s overall
grade.
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A major part of the class will be making a working ecommerce Web strategy. You
will be part of a team that builds a full featured online system that generates
traffic and makes sales.

Doing is the best way to learn this stuff. There will be a lot of doing.

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There will be 2 papers required in the class.

One in the middle of the class and the other at the end of the class.

The papers will be written in a Web style. We will discuss useit.com: Jakob
Nielsen on Usability and Web Design on these principles.

ºach paper will focus on what you did to contribute to the project and your
observations about hurdles and successes.

The papers don¶t have to be long (2-3 pages).

They will be graded on:

K Spelling
K Grammar
K Web writing style
K Being on time. The business world is all about showing up on time. You
probably will not get an A on the paper if it is late.

Please print your papers and bring them to class on the day they are due.

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Class attendance is the student¶s responsibility.

The way I see it: You paid for this class. You are adults. You can do whatever
you want.

However, the project we are working on during the class will be discussed and
strategized during the class.
While we will be reading parts of the book, in order to do the project you are very
likely going to need to be in class to participate in the discussion of the day. The
book is very theoretical. The class will be about implementation.

Students are responsible for any and all information missed during an absence.
This may include any possible assignments, and changes in the course
schedule. Handouts, or lecture notes from previous days are not available
from the instructor.

If observation of a religious holy day conflicts with your ability to complete an

assignment or exam, an acceptable alternative will be identified. It is the policy
of The University of Akron that you must notify each of your instructors at least
fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates you will be absent to
observe a religious holy day.

Students with disabilities who require special accommodations must first meet
with the Office of Accessibility in order to obtain proper documentation for the
disability. The Access Office is located in Simmons Hall, Room 105 and may be
contacted at 330 ± 972 ± 7928. The documentation letter should be presented to
the instructor in each course at the beginning of the semester and
accommodations needed should be discussed at that time.

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ºach student is expected to read all assigned materials before class, complete
all assignments, and complete all papers in order to receive credit and a grade in
this course.

Students who violate University rules involving academic dishonesty, as defined

in the Procedures and Requirements section of The Undergraduate Bulletin, and
as addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, will not be tolerated and will be
subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course
and/or dismissal 4 from the University. All acts of dishonesty in any work
constitute academic misconduct and the academic disciplinary policy will be
enforced.

This is an eBusiness class. Cell phones, computers and other electronic devices
are fine to bring to class. c
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our Facebook group during the class. Live chat is available to the group.

Again, you are adults and you paid for the class. If you want to use your phone
for personal texting that¶s fine. But it¶s only an hour and fifteen minutes out of
your day. My recommendation is to get back to your friends¶ texts after class and
use the time in class to communicate with the class during class. You can¶t talk
on your cell phone during class.
I¶m also fine with you eating and drinking during class. Just try not to bring food
that is too smelly or too crunchy.

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Grades will be determined from a range of tasks that reflect different types of
learning.

The various tasks should challenge you to perform across multiple formats
demonstrating your overall comprehension and understanding of the course
material. All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class (unless
otherwise specified). Late assignments will effect your grade.

Consequently, your evaluation in this course will be based on the following

components:
Paper #1 25%
Paper #2 25%
ºngagement in the project 25%
Participation 25%

Furthermore, a standard scale will be used to assign letter grades and rounded
to the nearest tenth decimal place.
A = 93 ± 100
A- = 90 ± 92.9
B+ = 88 ± 89.9
B = 83 ± 87.9
B- = 80 ± 82.9
C+ = 78 ± 79.9
C = 73 ± 77.9
C- = 70 ± 72.9
D+ = 68 ± 69.9
D = 63 ± 67.9
D- = 60 ± 62.9
F = 59.9 & below
 
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Week 1 Introduction, setting up Web site tools to use for
teams and Facebook project.
group
Week 2 Analytics Integrating analytics
Week 3 Key phrase research Discussion of Key phrase
research
Week 4 Writing for web (SºO and Discussion of Writing for
Style) web
Week 5 Link building Discussion of Link
building
Week 6 ºmail Marketing Discussion of ºmail
Marketing
Week 7 Paid Search Discussion of Paid
Search
Week 8 Team Discussions Team Discussions
Week 9 Blogging Facebook
Week 10 Twitter YouTube
Week 11 LinkedIn Craigslist
Week 12 Shopping carts Mobile marketing
Week 13 Local User generated content
Week 14 In class reviews of Team In class reviews of Team
Sites Sites
Week 15 ? ?
Week 16 Team Discussions Team Discussions