Consumer Studies 1202


This course is an introduction to consumer affairs. Consumer Studies 1202 is designed to help students become enlightened purchasers of goods and services. Its focus is on the consumer in the marketplace, seeking to satisfy needs and wants. The modern marketplace is complex and confusing at times for even the astute buyer. The abundance of commodities, variations in quality, emotional appeal of advertising, fraudulent practices, and the wide use of technical language are just a few of market realities. Other forces not so visible but perhaps more difficult to cope with include built-in obsolescence, artificial control of supply and demand to increase profits, and emphasis on materialism.

Topics:

-          needs versus wants
-          organizational features of Canadian business
-          effective consumer purchasing
-          management of personal resources
-          consumer protection
-          corporate citizenship.

 The course covers these themes/units:

1) UNIT II: The Consumer and the Business World
2) UNIT I: The Consumer as a Decision-Maker
3) UNIT III: Management of Personal Resources
4) UNIT IV: Effective Consumer Purchasing
5) UNIT V: Consumer Protection
6) UNIT VI: Business as a Corporate Citizen

Text – Exploring Business for the 21st Century

Evaluation:   

End-of-Unit/Term Tests----------40%          
ü  There will be a formal unit/term tests periodically throughout the year; (comprehensive exam).

Assignments Portfolio ----------50%                          
ü  There will be assignments and essays periodically throughout the year which must be completed and placed into your assignment portfolio.
ü  All of this work must be kept in order in a binder, duo tang or folder.  This portfolio will be assessed periodically for content and evaluated every term.

Other----------10%            

ü  This will include oral exams, interviews, self-evaluations, journals, presentations, and individual/group participation).

36 comments:

  1. Tasks (OTHER) #1:
    Due: September 9th, 2013

    Task 1: Please have all of your terms defined (terms found on page 3 of your text) in your writing book.

    Task 2: Please answer the question, "What role does business play in your life?" Write answers in your writing book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Assignments Portfolio #1:
    Due: September 12th, 2013

    Research a Fad that has existed over the years. Write your findings in your own words to present to the class (in 2-3 minutes). I would suggest writing a short speech, and presenting a picture of the Fad. This assignment must be handed in to be placed in your Assignments Portfolio.

    Things to include:

    - Outline of Fad (type, era, etc).
    - Money produced/Business influenced.
    - Where is the Fad today?

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  3. Assignments Portfolio #2:
    Due: September 16th, 2013

    For this next assignment you have three options; select the opinion which best matches your interest:

    1) Write a list of 10 needs you have. Then, write a list of 10 wants you have. Explain how businesses in your community satisfy five of those needs and five wants.

    2) Select a school appropriate photo advertisement. Which of Maslow’s needs is this advertisement using to sell products? Which group of consumers does the ad target? Why do you think the advertisers chose this focus to motivate consumers to buy their product?

    3) Create your own photo advertisement in which you use an appeal to social and esteem needs to sell our new brand of sport clothes. This ad can be created on the computer or drawn with colour.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Assignments Portfolio #3:
    Due: September 16th, 2013

    Read Career Connect: Professional Buyers on page 12 of your text. List the skills that would help you succeed as a professional buyer (the text has 6). Suggest TWO more skills that were not mentioned in this feature.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Assignments Portfolio #4:
    Due: September 18th, 2013

    Locate an article or advertisement depicting a business that is trying to be socially responsible. Explain the goals of the article/ad.

    A great example can be found in Figure 1-7, on page 15 of text.

    If you have any problem with locating an article or advertisement, please create one for a real business; then explain your own goals for the article/ad you created for a business of your choice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Assignments Portfolio #5:
    Due: September 24th, 2013

    Read Connecting Business with the Market: Women Drive the Automobile Market on page 17 of your text. Answer questions 1 & 2.

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  7. Assignments Portfolio #6:
    Due: September 26th, 2013

    Write a brief article (300-400 words) explain three ways that you feel the automation has caused changes in the labour needs of one manufacturing business. Support your feelings with research, be sure to cite your findings.

    ReplyDelete
  8. IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETIN!!!

    You will be having a Consumer Studies Test on Thursday, September 26th, 2013.

    Your Assignment Portfolio is also due on Thursday, September 26th, 2013.

    Your Study Guide was handed out on Friday, September 20, 2013.

    Study hard and good luck!
    Feel free to ask any questions for clarification!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Assignments Portfolio #7:
    Due: October 10th, 2013

    Giving Sole Proprietorship A Face

    Write a 150-200 word summary for any specific example of sole proprietorship that you find interesting (what the business does, where the business is, what advantages the business has over other business, and what disadvantages it has over others). Make sure you do your research as sole proprietorship can often be hard to identify. Please include a photo of the owner, business building, or an image of the business logo. This will give you a visual connection when you have to explain what a sole proprietorship is. Knowing a really good example is a great way to identify the different types of business.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Assignments Portfolio #8:
    Due: October 14th, 2013

    Giving Partnerships A Face

    Write a 150-200 word summary for any specific example of a partnership that you find interesting (what the business does, where the business is, what advantages the business has over other business, and what disadvantages it has over others). Make sure you do your research as partnerships can often be hard to identify too. Please include a photo of the owner, business building, or an image of the business logo. This will give you a visual connection when you have to explain what partnership is. Knowing a really good example is a great way to identify the different types of business.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Assignments Portfolio #9:
    Due: November 2nd, 2013

    Giving Corporations A Face

    Write a 150-200 word summary for any specific example of a corporation that you find interesting (what the business does, where the business is, what advantages the business has over other business, and what disadvantages it has over others). Please include a photo of the owner, business building, or an image of the business logo. This will give you a visual connection when you have to explain what corporation is. Knowing a really good example is a great way to identify the different types of business.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Assignments Portfolio #10:
    Due: November 2nd, 2013

    Giving Co-operatives A Face

    Write a 150-200 word summary for any specific example of a co-operative that you find interesting (what the business does, where the business is, what advantages the business has over other business, and what disadvantages it has over others). Please include a photo of the owner, business building, or an image of the business logo. This will give you a visual connection when you have to explain what co-operative is. Knowing a really good example is a great way to identify the different types of business.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Assignments Portfolio #11:
    Due: November 2nd, 2013

    Giving Franchises A Face

    Write a 150-200 word summary for any specific example of a franchise that you find interesting (what the business does, where the business is, what advantages the business has over other business, and what disadvantages it has over others). Please include a photo of the owner, business building, or an image of the business logo. This will give you a visual connection when you have to explain what franchise is. Knowing a really good example is a great way to identify the different types of business.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Assignments Portfolio #12:
    Due: November 2nd, 2013

    Changing Technology

    Write a 150-200 word summary for, "Technology Revolution." Then research 10 things (technologies) you really enjoy and create your own technology timeline, much like the one on page 48-49.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Assignments Portfolio #13:
    Due: November 12th, 2013

    Issues Affecting Business: Steve Jobs and Apple Computers

    Read the article on pages 57-58; then answer the following questions on page 58 (questions 1, 2 and 3). State all answers please!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Assignments Portfolio #14:
    Due: November 24th, 2013

    Commitment Towards Employees/Community

    Complete the application question on page 69 of your student text.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Assignments Portfolio #15:
    Due: November 28th, 2013

    Career Connect – Employability Skills 2000+

    Answer questions 1 & 2 in your student text on page 77.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Assignments Portfolio #16:
    Due: December 8th, 2013

    Check Your Understanding

    Answer the following questions:

    1) How has the labour movement contributed to better working conditions for Canadians?
    2) Explain, in your own words, the four elements of a a good health and safety program.
    3) How can employers ensure the health of their employees?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Assignments Portfolio #17:
    Due: December 18th, 2013

    Issues Affecting Business (The Adams Mine:Competing Interests)

    Read article in student text on page 89 & 90.
    Answer questions 1 (jot-notes would be fine, unless you can think of a graphic organizer you would like to use), 2, 3.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Assignments Portfolio #18:
    Due: January 10th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Answer questions 1, 2, and 3 on page 105 of your student text.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Assignments Portfolio #19:
    Due: January 16th, 2014

    Marketing and Demographics

    Select two different ads or products that appeal to TWO different demographics; for example: male-female or youth-elderly, etc. Include a photo of the ad/product and briefly explain what tactics the company is using to target these two different demographics. Are these tactics effective? Why or why not?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Assignments Portfolio #20:
    Due: January 20th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Answer questions 1, 2, and 3 on page 110 of your student text.

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  24. Assignments Portfolio #21:
    Due: January 20th, 2013

    Read Connecting Business with Demographics: FACES on page 112 of your text. Answer questions 1, 2 & 3 (partner optional).

    ReplyDelete
  25. IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETIN!!!

    You will be having a Consumer Studies Test on Monday, February 10th, 2014.

    Your Assignment Portfolio is also due on the same day...

    Study hard and good luck!
    Feel free to ask any questions for clarification!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Assignments Portfolio #22:
    Due: February 10th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Answer questions 1, 2, and 3 on page 120 of your student text.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Assignments Portfolio #23:
    Due: February 10th, 2014

    Read issues Affecting Business: Working at Radical Entertainment on page 121 of your text. Answer questions 1, 2 & 3.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Assignments Portfolio #24:
    Due: March 10th, 2014

    Read Connecting Business with Eco-tourism: North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge on page 138 of your text. Answer questions 1 & 2.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Assignments Portfolio #25:
    Due: March 10th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Answer questions 1, 2, 3 and 7 on page 143-144 of your student text.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Assignments Portfolio #26:
    Due: March 24th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 per pages 149-150 from student text.

    ReplyDelete
  31. IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETIN!!!

    You will be having a Consumer Studies Test on April 1st, 2014.

    Your Assignment Portfolio is also due on the same day...

    Study hard and good luck!
    Feel free to ask any questions for clarification!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Assignments Portfolio #27:
    Due: March 27th, 2014

    Consumer Protection Poster

    In groups create a Consumer Protection poster.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Assignments Portfolio #28:
    Due: May 1st, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Complete questions 1, 2, & 3 per pages 161 from student text.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Assignments Portfolio #29:
    Due: May 8th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Complete questions 1, 2, & 4 per pages 168 from student text.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Assignments Portfolio #30:
    Due: May 12th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Complete questions 2 & 3 per pages 177 from student text.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Assignments Portfolio #31:
    Due: May 28th, 2014

    Check Your Understanding

    Complete questions 1, 3, 5, and 6 per pages 191 from student text.

    ReplyDelete

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