Marketing 201

MKTG 201
Critical Inquiry in Marketing (WI) (GE)

1. Catalog Entry

MKTG 201
Critical Inquiry in Marketing

Credit hours (3)
Prerequisite: ENGL 111


Introduction to critical thinking and oral and written communication concerning a topic in marketing. Emphasizes key concepts in public speaking and common forms of reasoning.

Note(s): General Education designated course.


2. Detailed Description of Course

In completing this course, students will be able to:
    1) Communicate using effective oral and written strategies
    2) Use inductive and deductive reason to construct persuasive arguments
    3) Plan, execute, and evaluate effective research methods to obtain information
    4) Evaluate arguments based on fallacies of pathos, logos, and ethos
    5) Develop and evaluate persuasive arguments and presentations
    6) Develop a differentiating personal brand for use in career planning
    7) Present a convincing case for matching their personal brand with a potential career

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course may be delivered face-to-face or online (either synchronously or asynchronously). Instructors will determine a theme that promotes critical inquiry into issues of foreign policy/international relations, domestic policy, or public administration.  They will develop readings and assignments related to the theme that promote critical inquiry.  The required elements are:

    1) Argument Analysis Essay: In this project, students will analyze arguments on a subject related to the course topic. (See objectives below.)

    2) Annotated Bibliography: In this project, students will explain their use of library databases and resources to find and evaluate popular and scholarly sources for their persuasive speech. (See objectives below.)

    3) Persuasive Speech:  Students will prepare and present an oral argument on a subject related to the course topic. (See objectives below.)

The course is student centered and focuses on finding the correct match between a student's dominant personality traits and their career of interest. Students begin an introspective, self-examination discovering their most important characteristic. At the same time, students will undertake a research project to understand the requirements of the career they are most interested in pursuing. Based on the results of both steps, students will blend the two and create a written argument paper convincing the reader that an individual with his or her particular trait will be successful in the chosen career. Library research, interviews with professionals in the field, class activities and guest speakers will enable the students to approach the project in a variety of ways that will be most meaningful to each individual in their eventual job search.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Students will be able to:
    1) Analyze a real-world marketing issue;
    2) Apply critical reasoning to a real-world marketing issue;
    3) Develop an argument analysis that:
        a. Analyzes the use of ethos, logos and pathos by sources ;
        b. Identifies fallacies;
        c. Discerns the logical structure of arguments; and
        d. Evaluates an argument's premises and how they are intended to support a conclusion.
    4) Develop an annotated bibliography that:
        a. Conducts background research related to their topic;
        b. Uses subject-specific databases appropriately matched to their topics;
        c. Uses a variety of popular and scholarly sources appropriate to their topic; and
        d. Evaluates the comparative credibility of these sources

5. Assessment Measures

Instructors will develop and present content focused on personal marketing and branding that promotes critical inquiry and develop skills in oral communication, written communication, information literacy, and technology literacy.

Required projects are an argument analysis essay, an annotated bibliography, and a persuasive speech. Other quizzes, essays, and projects may be added at the instructor's discretion.

Classes will attend a librarian-facilitated session to further information literacy.

6. Other Course Information

None.

Review and Approval

June 20, 2015

March 01, 2021