Course Project

Course Syllabus

Orlando Campus

Course BUSN **** Issues in Business: The Business of Show Business

Spring, 2013

Term

On-line

Orlando South Campus

Name: Lou Pearsall

Instructor

Phone: 407-***-****

Email: ***************@*******.***

None required.

Prerequisites

Course Level Outcomes Expectations

Learning Students will understand the value and Students can describe the relevant

Outcomes evolution of entertainment arts and developments in the field of entertainment

events. arts and relate it to the current state.

Students can explain the creative show Students can identify the key steps in the

development processes. creative show development process, and

use them to prepare a basic event.

Students can discuss the value of music Students can analyze the basic value

in entertainment, shows and events. proposition of including music in

entertainment activities.

Students can analyze the uses of Students can explain the use of technology

technology in entertainment, shows and in the entertainment arts and develop an

events. effective plan to utilize current technology

in an event.

Students will understand creative Students can discuss the various elements

concept development and evaluation. in the creative concept development

process, and can provide an elementary

analysis of the value provided.

To be announced.

Materials

Grading Course Grading:

Case Studies (2 x 100) 200 points (20%)

Threaded Discussions (5 x 60) 300 points (30%)

Research Paper 500 points (50%)

Totals 1,000 points (100%)

The assignment of grades is as follows:

Each assignment, quiz, exam, and project is graded on a 100-point scale. All grades are

then weighted by category as specified in the Course Requirements section above, and a

final grade is tabulated on the basis of a standard scale as follows:

A = 95+

A- = 91 to 94

B+ = 87 to 90

B = 83 to 86

B- = 79 to 82

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C = 75 to 78

Below 75 = Not acceptable at the Masters Level

F is earned/awarded when the work is unsatisfactory on the graduate level.

The GRADUATE catalog provides these guidelines and grading options:

A/A Superior graduate work

B+/B/B Satisfactory graduate work

C Work that is barely adequate as graduate-level performance

CR Work that is performed as satisfactory graduate work (B or better). A

grade of "CR is reserved for courses designated by a department, involving

internships, a thesis, practicum, or specified courses.

F Work that is unsatisfactory

I Incomplete work

ZF An incomplete which was not completed within one year of the end of the

course. ZF is treated the same as an F or NC for all cases involving G.P.A.,

academic warning, probation, and dismissal.

IP In progress

NR Not reported

W Withdrawn from the course

Students will research how the effective use of show business can create a truly unique

Activities

customer experience, resulting in improved brand awareness and loyalty. During the

first five (5) weeks of the course, research, selected readings, and case studies will help

prepare the students with an understanding of the topic. This will be enhanced with on-

going threaded discussions to provide an opportunity for the sharing of ideas and

dialogue on current topics.

In week six (6) of the course, students will travel to Orlando, Florida, USA for a four day

field experience. This will include morning seminars with the instructor and additional

subject matter experts, and afternoon field trips to a number of venues that will expose

the students to the practical application of the material. Venues will include theme park,

hotel, and retail experiences.

In the last week of the program, students will complete and finish a research report on

the entertainment concepts employed, and how they could be implemented in a business

of the student s choice.

Threaded Discussions:

In the "Discussion" areas of the course, your team can interact with me and your

classmates to explore questions and comments related to the content of this course. For

this course, we will use a short case each week as the basis for our discussion. I trust

that you will find these both interesting to read and to discuss.

A successful student is one who takes an active role in the learning process. You are

therefore encouraged to participate in the discussion areas to enhance your learning

experience throughout each week.

The discussions will be graded for:

1. Frequency Number and regularity of your discussion comments. Students are

expected to log into the course and post (respond) each week on a minimum of three

separate days per week (24 hours between postings). The posting period begins

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Monday morning, and ends on Sunday evening at the end of the course week at

midnight, EST.

2. Quality Content of your contributions. Examples of quality posts include:

providing additional information to the discussion

elaborating on previous comments from others

presenting explanations of concepts or methods to help fellow students

presenting reasons for or against a topic in a persuasive fashion

sharing your own personal experiences that relate to the topic

providing a URL and explanation for an area you researched on the Internet

University policies are provided in the current course catalog and course schedules.

Policy

They are also available on the university website. This class is governed by the

Statements

university s published policies. The following policies are of particular interest:

Academic Honesty

The university is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be

held responsible for violations of these standards. Please refer to the university s

academic honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential

disciplinary actions associated with it.

Course Attendance:

The University reserves the right to drop students who do not attend class the first two

weeks of the term/semester. Please note that whether or not you have advised the

instructor that you will miss class in the 1st or 2nd week, you will automatically be

removed from WorldClassRoom. This will impact your ability to get course materials,

assignments, etc. The instructor has no control over this process.

Students are expected to attend all class sessions of every course. In the case of

unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor. The student is subject to

appropriate academic penalty for incomplete or unacceptable makeup work, or for

excessive or unexcused absences. Generally, a student who misses more than one

four-hour course period (per course) without a documented military or medical excuse

and advanced permission from the instructor should withdraw from the class.

Drops and Withdrawals

Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this course, the

date on which you notify the university of your decision will determine the amount

of tuition refund you receive. Please refer to the university policies on drops and

withdrawals (published elsewhere) to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a

course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.

Special Services

If you have registered as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to

classroom or testing accommodations, please inform the instructor at the beginning

of the course of the accommodations you will require in this class so that these can

be provided.

Disturbances

Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption,

disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are

expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect,

especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in

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disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the

course.

Student Assignments Retained

From time to time, student assignments or projects will be retained by The

Department for the purpose of academic assessment. In every case, should the

assignment or project be shared outside the academic Department, the student's

name and all identifying information about that student will be redacted from the

assignment or project.

Contact Hours for this Course

It is essential that all classes meet for the full instructional time as scheduled. A

class cannot be shortened in length. If a class session is cancelled for any reason, it

must be rescheduled.

This syllabus may be revised at the discretion of the instructor without the prior

Course

notification or consent of the student.

Policies

Weekly

Schedule Class Date Topics

Week s Theme:

1 2/4/2013

Introduction to the course

Assignments due this week:

Review course syllabus

Introductory readings

Review case studies

Review course research paper select any industry and

demonstrate the value of entertainment as a differentiator to

create an enhanced customer experience and improved firm

returns.

Threaded Discussions:

Introduction of students and instructors. Discussion on the

goals of the course and what student expectations are.

Week s theme:

2 2/11/2013

The Business of Entertainment

Assignments due this week:

Course readings on entertainment and business success

Threaded Discussions:

Discussion on the importance of creating an experience for

customers.

Week s theme:

3 2/18/2013

The Retail Industry

Assignments due this week:

Course readings on Whole Foods, Bass Pro Shop, Down-

town Disney

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Research paper case study on one of the venues

Threaded Discussions:

Discussion on what made these retailers successful. What role

does entertainment play in their business plans?

4 2/25/2013 Weeks Theme:

The Hospitality Industry

Assignments due this week:

Course readings on Rosen Hotels

Threaded Discussions:

Discussion on the hospitality industry. What does it

include? How does entertainment play a part in their

success?

Week s theme:

5 3/4/2013

Theme Parks

Assignments due this week:

Course readings on Walt Disney World

Research paper case study on hospitality

Threaded Discussions:

Discussion on Walt Disney s life. What was his

vision? What lessons can be learned from his success?

6 3/10/2013 Travel to Orlando, Florida

6 Mon. Theme:

Introduction of the faculty (L. Pearsall)

Introduction to the on-site program (L. Pearsall)

Entertainment in the retail experience

Activity: Visits to Whole Foods and Bass Pro Shops

6 Tues. Theme: Entertainment in Hospitality

Activity: Visit to Rosen Shingle Creek

6 Wed. Theme: Entertainment in the retail experience

Activity:

Visit to the World of Disney, Downtown Disney (afternoon)

Evening to explore Downtown Disney

6 Thurs. Theme: Entertainment in the theme park sector

Activity:

Visit to the Magic Kingdom (afternoon)

Visit to EPCOT (evening) will include an end-of-course re-

ception, and the viewing of the laser-light show. [Invite Web-

ster representatives, including Dr. Akonde. Provide students

with certificate and parting gift.]

Activity: Free day for students to sight-see

6 Fri.

6 Sat. Travel home

Week s theme:

7 3/18/2013

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Final Project Wrap-up

Assignments due this week:

Course research paper

Threaded Discussions:

Discussion on lessons learned from this course.

Additional Course Requirements:

Information

Course Attendance:

The University reserves the right to drop students who do not attend class the first two

weeks of the term/semester. Students are expected to attend all class sessions of every

course. In the case of unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor. The

student is subject to appropriate academic penalty for incomplete or unacceptable

makeup work, or for excessive or unexcused absences.

Conduct:

Students enrolling in a degree program at Webster University assume the obligation of

conducting themselves in a manner compatible with the University s function as an

education institution. Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline may be

divided into the following categories:

1. All forms of dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false

information to the University.

2. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary

procedures, or other University activities or of other authorized activities on

University premises.

3. Classroom disruption. Behavior occurring within the academic arena, including but

not limited to classroom disruption or obstruction of teaching, is within the

jurisdiction of Academic Affairs. In case of alleged campus and/or classroom

disruption or obstruction, a faculty member and/or administrator may take immediate

action to restore order and/or to prevent further disruption (e.g. removal of student[s]

from class or other setting). Faculty members have original jurisdiction to address

the immediacy of a situation, as they deem appropriate. When necessary and

appropriate, Public Safety and/or the local [or military] police may be contacted to

assist with restoring peace and order. Faculty response is forwarded to the academic

dean (or his or her designee) for review and, if necessary, further action. Further

action might include permanent removal from the course. Repeated offenses could

lead to removal from the program and/or the University.

4. Theft of or damage to property of the University. Students who cheat or plagiarize

may receive a failing grade for the course in which the cheating or plagiarism took

place.

Students who engage in any of the above misconducts may be subject to dismissal from

the University on careful consideration by the executive vice president of the University

or his designee. To the extent that penalties for any of these misconducts (e.g. theft or

destruction of property) are prescribed by law, the University will consider appropriate

action under such laws.

Students are subject to the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedure described in

the Online Student Handbook.

Course Contact Hours:

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Unless a course has enrolled fewer than four students, faculty have a contractual

obligation to meet the full complement of contact/meeting hours (32 for undergraduate

courses; 36 for graduate courses). Not to meet this full complement of hours may be

construed as a breach of contract and may also endanger Webster University s

accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission and membership in the North Central

Association of Colleges and Schools, and its licensure by the State of Florida. Finally,

course meetings which

are missed for any reason must be made up.

DETERMINATION OF GRADES IS BASED THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

Minimum Requirements:

Products (papers, case studies, projects) must be on time, in the correct format, corrected

for spelling and grammar, appropriate materials included and referenced to-the-point and

on topic and conclusions must be supported.

Examinations must be complete, accurate, neat, evidence clear thought, and exhibit

concise and to-the-point responses.

Behavior in class discussions and group activities should be responsible, should exhibit

open communication, be constructive, and helpful.

Mastery Level (Grade of B ): Professional Achievement

Products must meet the requirements stated above for minimum requirements and

additionally meet professional criteria. For example, documentation should be included

to support research papers, the APA format should be used consistently throughout the

paper, and substantially more than the minimum number of references should be

included. Presentations should be logical, organized, and comprehensive.

Examinations should be organized, in depth, comprehensive, logical and complete, and

evidence thorough understanding of the subject /topic through application of principles.

Classroom behavior should exhibit very focused activity and thought on the subject at

hand, be motivated, and assist in discovery of new insights and relationships concerning

the subject/topic of discussion.

Mastery Level Plus (Grade of A ): Creative Achievement

Products must meet all requirements stated above and additionally meet creative criteria.

These criteria include unique topic or subject selection, synthesis of ideas, evaluation of

subject matter and positions found in the literature, be creative in approach, establish

new relationships with ideas and provide new insights.

Examination responses indicate insightfulness of understanding, a synthesis of

information and unique ideas, and rationale for application of principles following

careful analysis.

Classroom behavior should exhibit very focused activity and thought on the subject at

hand, be motivated, and assist in discovery of new insights and relationships concerning

the subject/topic of discussion.

The grade of A represents the best work of students, accomplished in a unique and

professional manner.

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Note:

To achieve the objectives of this course, this syllabus may be revised at the discretion of

the instructor without prior notification or consent of the student.

For Webster University policies and procedures, please refer to the Catalog and Student

Handbook.

Lou Pearsall

Reviewed by:

Job Title: Mentor - Finance, MBA & Undergraduate Business Programs

Date:

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