Santa Clara University

Developmental Matrix

Foundation

In the Spring of 2010, a group of 15-20 students met to discuss areas of strength and weakness within the Retail Studies Program and Retail Studies Student Association. These students were a mix of members of the executive board, some that have been in the program for several years, and some fresh faces to the organization. The students collaborated and came up with a list of top-rated issues. They first outlined the skills, functional areas, and program learning objectives that were important for each individual to achieve. They then measured the success of select events in reaching these objectives and development skills within the students. The output of this collaboration gave a basic structure to how the program has contributed to student learning thus far and was refined to create discipline for ongoing program development. What follows presents the fundamental learning objectives and matrix of how our events align with our purpose and provide guidance. These objectives are subject to feedback and revision.

PROGRAM SYLLABUS

Learning Objectives

The RSSA program will provide students with the opportunities to integrate and synthesize the communication tools that they have learned in various contexts so that students will have superior communication and presentation skills in a variety of professional contexts.

Students will develop knowledge about retail business models and practical field application, so that they are the preferred source of human capital in the industry.

Students will be exposed to cutting edge trends while simultaneously introduced to the use of technology, digital marketing, and e-commerce, so they will be responsive in a productive way to the rapid pace of change in today’s retail environment.

Students will learn who they are and how to best present their skills, strengths, and weaknesses, through resume workshops, interview skill classes, workforce interaction, and social media applications, in a manner consistent with maintaining being preferential sources of human capital.

Retailers are in a unique position to influence ethical and social responsibility of the public, as the hub of consumption. Students will learn about current practices and prepare to make ethical purchasing decisions, while influencing those of others.

Developmental Matrix