BUS 130
Introduction to Electronic Commerce
Course Overview - NEW -- Now on CANVAS (not Moodle!)
This fast-paced, condensed 9-week course provides an overview of electronic commerce. Business models underlying e-commerce are studied, and information is presented with a balanced approach between business analysis, marketing, network technology, and Web site considerations.
Instructor: Deborah Bayles
Email: deborah_bayles@cuesta.edu
This is an extremely condensed nine-week course that meets 100% online for nine weeks. Two course modules with their associated reading and homework will be covered EACH week. Three modules per week will be assigned for the six-week Summer Courses.
This course is intended for individuals interested in gaining an overview of electronic commerce and its history, business models, implementation options and revenue generation potential. It should be viewed as a solid introduction to a broad set of topics, any one of which the student may want to focus upon as an area of specialization in the future, and a good prerequisite for future courses in Electronic Commerce in the Business Education department.
Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites, as this is a foundation E-Commerce course. An understanding of basic business, which can be gained through the introductory courses offered by the Business Education division, would be very helpful.
The instructor assumes students have a familiarity with general business and marketing concepts but no previous knowledge of electronic commerce. Familiarity with some of the major online shopping sites (such as Amazon and iTunes) and the major search engines and directories (e.g., Google and Bing) is a big plus. Students should also be comfortable surfing the World Wide Web and navigating sites.
Textbooks
Technical Requirements
I realize this is stating the obvious, but you must have access to a computer, an email account, and a reliable Internet connection. You must have a backup plan should your system or your Internet provider fail, as technological problems not related to me, Canvas or to myCuesta are your problem. Since you will email all of your assignments to your classmates and me via myCuesta’s internal email system, it is essential that you understand the basic concepts of email; web navigation; computer security including firewalls, cookies, trusted sites; and online communication to succeed in this course.
It is strongly recommended that you obtain a flash drive to store your work and also investigate another location (e.g. another computer/flash, email) to save an additional copy of your files in case of mishap.
There is a very useful page of information about distance education at Cuesta. You can find it here. In particular, you will want to view the FAQ page which provides some assistance with the technical side of distance ed (for ex. suggested minimum system requirements, how to get technical assistance, etc).
The Nature of the Course
This course is conducted entirely on the Canvas platform. The syllabus will contain information so that you can contact me electronically and in person if you have the opportunity or desire to do so. Print out and read the course syllabus, as most of the questions pertaining to the course structure can be found in the syllabus. The syllabus is in the Introductory Module, with a link to it from the course home page.
Cuesta's Canvas Site Login Information
Go to the Cuesta Canvas site: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ and login:
- The Login name matches your my.cuesta.edu login name: firstname_lastname.
- The Default Canvas password is: Changeme1. You will be forced to change your password the first time you login. If you have a myCuesta password already, use that.
- You will not see your BUS 130 course in Canvas or be able to login to the course before the first day of class!
- If you have any technical problems, please email support@my.cuesta.edu for assistance.
Course Pacing and First Week Requirements
The pacing of the course will be very intense, as the course has been condensed to 9 weeks (6 weeks for Summer semester courses). The lectures will become available to you on a regular basis, one module at a time – one module will be released on Tuesday, and one module will be released on Friday of each week (three modules per week will be released for Summer courses). Depending on the particular section of the course, you will be able to access between one to three week's worth of new information at a time. Previously covered material, of course, will always be available to you. But for your benefit, as well as mine, I want to keep things moving at a manageable pace and keep everyone in the class at approximately the point. So, within each section of material you will be able to set your own pace to a great extent, but the timing of moving from section to section will be set by me. You will need to complete all necessary material by those dates in order to perform adequately in the course.
Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class.
Once the course begins on the first day of class, log in immediately to the Course Canvas site and post your introduction.
If I do not see your introduction posted and evidence of your having logged on and started downloading and printing out the materials by the third day of the semester, you will be dropped from the course, and your space will be taken by someone else who is waiting to add the class. Also, review all of the materials on the course site and be ready to begin working on the class assignments in Module One.
PLEASE NOTE: Class attendance is determined by on-time participation in Module Discussions. If you do not post before the deadline in a Module (deadlines are clearly stated) or you miss two consecutive Discussions then you will be deemed absent from the class and will be dropped. Please check the site DAILY for news and updates about exams and assignments.
Disabled Students
If you are a student with a verified disability, please discuss your needs for accommodations with me.
School Policy
Each student is required to follow all school guidelines and comply with all school deadlines including personal responsibility for adding and/or dropping this class. Each student is responsible for obtaining updates or changes to the syllabus and/or assignments for the course.
If you have any additional questions prior to the first day of class, please feel free to e-mail me. I look forward to working with you!