University of Guelph 2002-2003 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.

COST*1000 Introduction to Marketing Management S,F,W(3-0) [0.50]

An examination of the process of analyzing, planning, implementing, coordinating, and controlling programs involved in the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of products, services, and ideas designed to create and maintain beneficial exchanges with target markets for the purpose of achieving public and private organizational objectives. (Also offered through distance education format.) (Spring offering through distance education format only.)

COST*1400 Introduction to Design W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

COST*1800 Housing and Community Planning F(3-0) [0.50]

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.

COST*2020 Information Management S,F,W(2-2) [0.50]

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. Students with credit for this course may not proceed to CIS*1000.

Prerequisite(s): 5.00 credits

COST*2100 Personal Financial Management W(3-0) [0.50]

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.)

Prerequisite(s): 5.00 credits

COST*2300 Technology and the Consumer F,W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 5.00 credits or permission of the instructor

COST*2600 Fundamentals of Consumer Behaviour F,W(3-0) [0.50]

In the long run organizations survive and achieve their goals by satisfying the needs and wants of consumers as well as or better than their competitors. This course examines consumer behaviours, the economic, social, cultural and psychological factors related to consumer behaviours, the evolution and change in behaviours and relationships, and the ways in which consumers respond to stimuli employed in the marketing of products, services and ideas.

Prerequisite(s): (COST*1000 or HAFA*1000), (1 of PSYC*1100, PSYC*1200, SOC*1100)

COST*2810 Social Aspects of Housing F(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 5.00 credits

COST*2820 Housing Finance W(3-0) [0.50]

Examines the financing of both residential and commercial real estate but with an emphasis on borrowing by individual homeowners. A mathematical approach is used to examine the impact of various lender and borrower decisions about loan terms (amoritization periods, pre-payment options, etc.). The evolution of the Canadian housing finance system is contrasted with that in the United States. Various mortgage product innovations for seniors and other segments of the borrowing public are investigated.

Prerequisite(s): 5.00 credits

COST*3010 Quality Management W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including 0.50 credit in statistics

COST*3020 Distribution Systems & Retail Management F,W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including 1 of AGEC*4370, COST*1000, HAFA*3080

COST*3030 Research Methods F,W(2-2) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): STAT*2060 or STAT*2090

COST*3040 Business and Consumer Law F,W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 5.00 credits

COST*3100 Economic Behaviour of Households W(3-0) [0.50]

A micro analysis of the patterns of resource use pursued by the household as conditions inside and outside the household change. Students are expected to possess or develop facility with the calculus of multivariable functions, constrained optimization, and multiple regression analysis.

Prerequisite(s): ECON*2310

COST*3600 Consumer Information Processes F,W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): COST*2600, COST*3030

COST*3610 Consumer Economics F(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): ECON*2310, ECON*2410, STAT*2060

COST*3620 Advertising Management F,W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Restriction(s): registration in the B.Comm. program and 10.00 credits including COST*1000 and COST*2600

COST*3870 Topics in Housing U(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): will be indicated by the department when the course is offered

COST*3880 Topics in Housing U(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): will be indicated by the department when the course is offered

COST*3890 Property Management W(3-0) [0.50]

Financial theory is used to examine the diversification benefits of including real estate with financial assets in an investment portfolio. Diversification strategies within a real estate portfolio are also covered. The marketing and leasing of real estate space culminates in a leasing negotiation exercise between pairs of students. Differing property management issues faced by managers of residential, office, retail, industrial and mixed use properties are covered.

Prerequisite(s): COST*1800, COST*2820

COST*4020 Research in Consumer Studies U(3-0) [0.50]

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

Prerequisite(s): COST*3030

COST*4040 Management in Product Development F(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): registration in the B.Comm. program (Marketing major) and 12.50 credits including COST*2600

COST*4050 Consumer, Business and Government Relations F,W(3-0) [0.50]

Examination of changing economic, political, financial, and social power as determinants of relationships among and the roles played by consumers, businesses, and governments in the evolution of capitalistic democracies; the impact of power and the absence of power on employment, real incomes, income distribution, consumer attitudes, education systems, and the capacity of governments to govern.

Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including COST*2600, ECON*1100, ECON*1200

COST*4370 Marketing Strategy F,W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Restriction(s): registration in the B.Comm. program (Marketing major) and 10.00 credits

Equate(s): AGEC*4370

COST*4600 International Marketing F,W(3-0) [0.50]

The study of marketing in global context with specific emphasis on the strategic implications of marketing in different country cultures. Included are the global marketing environment and the competitive challenges and opportunities confronting today's international marketers, the cultural environment of global marketing, the assessment of global market opportunities and the development of global marketing strategies.

Prerequisite(s): COST*1000, COST*2600, COST*3030

COST*4810 Housing Services Systems W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): COST*4850, COST*4860

COST*4820 Real Estate Appraisal F(3-0) [0.50]

This course deals with the basic principles involved in valuing real estate. The market comparison, cost and income approaches of appraisal are covered. The major emphasis in the course is on using discounted cash flow projections to value income-producing real estate. The term project involves the use of a spreadsheet program to estimate property value for a property chosen by the student. While valuation of single family homes is covered, the main emphasis is on investment real estate.

Prerequisite(s): (CIS*1000 or COST*2020), (COST*2820 or ECON*3560)

COST*4840 Housing and Real Estate Law F(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including COST*1800, COST*2820

COST*4850 Housing Policies F(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including COST*1800, COST*2820

COST*4860 Housing Industry Structure and Process W(3-0) [0.50]

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.

Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including COST*1800, COST*2820

COST*4910 Topics in Consumer Studies U(3-0) [0.50]

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 semester.

Prerequisite(s): will be indicated by the department when the course is offered.

Restriction(s): instructor consent required

COST*4920 Topics in Consumer Studies U(3-0) [0.50]

Same description as COST*4910.

COST*4950 Consumer Studies Practicum U(1-3) [0.50]

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.

Restriction(s): permission of the instructor and department chair and 15.00 credits



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