University of Guelph 1997-98 Undergraduate Calendar

XII--Course Descriptions


Consumer Studies

Department of Consumer Studies

For courses without semester designations, please check with the department. Advance schedules are available in the department.

26-100 Marketing S,F,W(3-0)

An examination of the systems by which public and private sector organizations plan, price, promote, and distribute goods and services in response to changing consumer needs and wants. Note: This course may not be taken for credit subsequent to receiving credit in 02-437 or 54-308.

Course Profile

26-140 Introduction to Design W(3-0)

Designed to increase visual awareness and recognition of natural and planned design elements in the environment. Investigation of the roles of designers and an understanding of design as an applied process that responds to human needs.

Course Profile

26-150 Clothing Production and Consumption W(2-3)

A survey of the basic processes in the production of clothing. Industry structure, consumption and government policy are reviewed. The objective of the laboratory is to provide background for, and experience with, product analysis and product evaluation.

Course Profile

26-151 Textile Production F(2-2)

A survey course covering natural and synthetic fibres, yarns and fabric construction, dyes and finishes. Brief discussion of textile testing and specifications for end use. Analysis of market forces guiding development of new textiles.

Course Profile

26-180 Housing and Community Planning F(3-0)

A general survey of the developing residential environment in the modern community. The social, psychological, economic, physical and political dimensions of housing and urban development are included.

Course Profile

26-202 Information Management S,F,W(2-2)

Introduces the concepts and principles of information acquisition, manipulation and management as relevant to organizational decision-making. Provides experience in the applications of information technology as practised in organizations. Note: Students with credit for this course may not proceed to 27-100.

Prerequisites: 10 course credits.
Exclusions: 27-120.
Course Profile

26-210 Personal and Family Finance F(3-0)

An introductory course designed to meet the professional needs of those in teaching, counselling and community service, as well as personal goals in financial management. Also offered through distance education format.

Prerequisites: 10 course credits.
Course Profile

26-230 Technology and the Consumer F,W(3-0)

A review of major high technology events and their utilization in product development processes; the positive and negative impact of these technologies on consumers and their life styles will be emphasized.

Prerequisites: 10 course credits or permission of the instructor.
Exclusions: 26-130.
Course Profile

26-252 Textiles in the Marketplace W(2-2)

An analysis of how current and planned textile products attempt to reflect consumer needs. Issues discussed will include fibre/fabric finish performance criteria for specific end uses and how government or user specifications impact on textile production.

Prerequisites: 26-151.
Course Profile

26-260 Fundamentals of Consumer Behaviour F,W(3-0)

An examination of the economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors which influence consumer behaviour with respect to products and services.

Prerequisites: 1 of 26-100, 80-110, 80-120, 86-110.
Course Profile

26-281 Social Aspects of Housing F(3-0)

An overview of the impact of the residential environment upon lifestyles at various stages in the life cycle. Topics include the effect of neighbourhood and dwelling design upon children, seniors and the economically and physically handicapped. Consideration will be given to the development of behaviorally based design guidelines.

Prerequisites: 10 course credits.
Course Profile

26-282 Housing Finance W(3-0)

Examines housing finance activity from the standpoint of the role of individual decision units - lenders, borrowers, developers and investors. The magnitude of the funds such units provide; the sources of such funds; the nature and form of the funding instruments and the methods of allocating funds at an institutional level will be reviewed. The mathematics of real estate financing is included in order to explore the issues related to developing instruments and loan underwriting. The objectives and impact of government regulation on financing activities of individual decision units will be explored.

Prerequisites: 10 course credits.
Course Profile

26-301 Quality Management W(3-0)

Lectures will include general concepts and expectations of quality assurance from consumer, government, managerial and technological points of view and discuss the relationship of national and international groups concerned with quality assurance. Seminars apply concepts to selected products and services.

Prerequisites: 20 course credits, including a course credit in statistics.
Course Profile

26-302 Distribution Systems & Retail Management F(3-0)

An examination of the management of distribution systems for consumer products and services. Topics include operational and management aspects of retailing, wholesaling, importing/exporting, transportation, and inventory management.

Prerequisites: 20 course credits, including (02-437 or 26-100 or 54-308).
Course Profile

26-303 Research Methods F,W(2-2)

Examines the concepts, principles and practices for consumer, market and product development research processes. Topics include research problem definition, research objectives, research design, measurement, sampling methods, execution and research management, analysis and interpretation, and report writing.

Prerequisites: 89-206 or 89-209.
Course Profile

26-304 Business and Consumer Law F,W(3-0)

Course introduces students to statutory and common law concerning business and consumer transactions. An overview of the laws of contracts and torts forms the basis of business and producer/consumer relationships. Discussion topics include sale of goods and consumer protection legislation; debtor-creditor relations; competition law; intellectual property rights and manufacturers' product liability.

Prerequisites: 10 course credits.
Exclusions: 54-304.
Course Profile

26-310 The Family in the Canadian Economy W(3-0)

An analysis of factors which influence the economic situation of families and individual consumers. Topics include: income distribution, spending patterns, inflation, fertility, labour supply, poverty and social policies.

Prerequisites: 36-110, 36-120.
Course Profile

26-350 Clothing Marketing W(3-0)

The product development process for clothing is studied, including fashion theory, design, production scheduling, costing, sourcing and distribution. International markets, retail planning and merchandising methods are considered.

Prerequisites: 26-150 or 26-302.
Course Profile

26-360 Consumer Information Processes F,W(3-0)

Course provides an in-depth treatment of information processing research and theories as they relate to consumer judgement and choice. Components of theory addressed include: attention and perception, motivation, processing capacity, encoding and memory storage, retrieval and decision processes. Applications to marketplace policy and strategy are discussed.

Prerequisites: 26-260.
Course Profile

26-361 Consumer Economics F(3-0)

The course examines applications of macro and micro economic theory to the consumption process. Students are expected to possess or develop facility with calculus and multiple regression analysis.

Prerequisites: 36-231.
Course Profile

26-362 Advertising Management F,W(3-0)

Concepts of communication and management as practised by private and public sector organizations. Communication management principles are applied to the design and evaluation of communication programs.

Prerequisites: registration in the B.A.Sc. program - Consumer Studies major or B.Comm. program and 20 course credits, including 26-100 and 26-260.
Course Profile

26-387 and 26-388 Topics in Housing (3-0)

Lecture-discussion or seminar on a selected topic or area of specialization related to housing to be conducted by faculty with special interests or expertise in the area. Students should confirm with the department prior to course selection what topic(s), if any, will be offered during specific semesters. Prerequisites will be indicated by the department when the course is offered.

Course Profile

26-389 Property Management W(3-0)

This course deals primarily with property management in the residential and commercial sectors although some reference will be made to retail, industrial and mixed use complex management. Property management activities will be dealt with relating to legal, interpersonal, maintenance, accounting and administrative functions.

Prerequisites: 26-180, 26-282.
Course Profile

26-402 Research in Consumer Studies (3-0)

An independent investigation of a pertinent topic in consumer studies. Registration requires departmental approval.

Prerequisites: 26-303.
Course Profile

26-404 Management in Product Development F(3-0)

Major course components include: new product strategy formulation, the role of technical and market research, the analysis of opportunities, management of development processes, product launches, government and regulatory controls.

Prerequisites: registration in the B.A.Sc. program - Consumer Studies major or B.Comm. program - Marketing major and 25 course credits including 26-260.
Course Profile

26-405 Consumer, Business and Government Relations W(3-0)

Analysis of the interactions and decision-making processes involving consumers and consumer groups, business and government in the current socio-political marketing environment. Emphasis is on problem-solving approaches and current issues.

Prerequisites: 25 course credits, including 26-260.
Course Profile

26-437 Marketing Strategy F,W(3-0)

This course focuses on the decision-making role of the marketing manager who is responsible for formulating the strategic marketing plan. The theory of selecting market target(s) for the firm's product and/or services and the development of the marketing mix (product, price, promotion, distribution) with the aid of market research and computerized information systems is covered.

Prerequisites: registration in the B.A.Sc program - Consumer Studies major or B.Comm. program - Marketing major and 20 course credits.
Exclusions: 02-437.
Course Profile

26-481 Housing Services Systems W(3-0)

This course deals with the development, redevelopment and renewal of housing services within the context of organization decision- making systems. Students will design a program and implementation strategy to address a housing issue. The interrelations among the social aspects of housing, public policy, construction industry capabilities and financing mechanisms are considered. Both public and private delivery systems will be examined.

Prerequisites: 26-485, 26-486.
Course Profile

26-482 Real Estate Appraisal F(3-0)

The course deals with the basic principles of real estate appraising, the emphasis being on residential real estate. The approaches employed to determine value as it relates to the requirements set by lending institutions and other clients will be dealt with. Legal, ethical and financial aspects will also be covered in the course.

Prerequisites: 26-180, 26-282.
Exclusions: 26-388.
Course Profile

26-484 Housing and Real Estate Law F(3-0)

Lays out the legal principles which guide the expanding and changing body of law dealing with housing and real estate development and forms of occupancy; statutory and regulatory matters are explored.

Prerequisites: 20 course credits, including 26-180, 26-282.
Exclusions: 26-283.
Course Profile

26-485 Housing Policies F(3-0)

Examines both substantive and jurisdictional policy and program development at the federal, provincial and local levels. The policy making process will be reviewed as well as policy and program evaluation techniques. The emphasis is on Canada although comparisons with other countries will be discussed.

Prerequisites: 20 course credits, including 26-180, 26-282.
Exclusions: 26-380.
Course Profile

26-486 Housing Industry Structure and Process W(3-0)

The development and construction sectors of the housing industry will be examined from both the structural and process perspectives in order to develop an understanding of how the industry adapts and how organizations operate. The course will focus on Canadian residential housing industry organizations and related agencies.

Prerequisites: 20 course credits, including 26-180, 26-282.
Exclusions: 26-386.
Course Profile

26-491 Topics in Consumer Studies (3-0)

Lecture-discussion or seminar on a selected topic in consumer studies to be conducted by faculty with expertise in the area. Students should check with the department to determine what topic, if any, will be offered during a specific semester.

Prerequisites will be indicated by the department when the course is offered.

Course Profile

26-492 Topics in Consumer Studies (3-0)

As for 26-491.

Course Profile

26-495 Consumer Studies Practicum (1-3)

The practicum provides supervised experience in applying the concepts and principles of consumer studies to contemporary issues in areas such as consumer finance, consumer policy, housing, product standards and quality assurance.

Prerequisites: registration in the Consumer Studies major, permission of the instructor and department chair and 30 course credits.
Course Profile


1998-99 Undergraduate Calendar
XII--Course Descriptions

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Last revised: November 4, 1997.