Department of Marketing
Professor Emerita: Karen F. A. Fox
Professors: Dale D. Achabal, Albert V. Bruno (William T. Cleary Professor), Kirthi Kalyanam (Department Chair, L.J. Skaggs Distinguished Professor), Shelby H. McIntyre
Associate Professors: Xiaojing Dong, Desmond Lo, J. Michael Munson, Kumar Sarangee, Savannah Wei Shi
Assistant Professors: Michael Thomas, Yuchi Zhang
Lecturers: Charles Byers, Lan Jiang, Gail Kirby, Juan Montermoso, Sean O'Keefe
Marketing operates at the cutting edge of a well-managed organization. Development of students' decision-making and managerial skills are the major objectives of the Department of Marketing program, with special emphases in innovation, high technology, retailing, and digital marketing. Marketing links a business to its markets and customers and acts as the eyes and the ears for a firm, helping managers to identify emerging market opportunities and anticipating customer needs and wants. It is also the firm's voice, handling communications with customers and deciding on advertising, sales, and social media messages. Finally, strategic marketing addresses competitive threats and opportunities, guiding a firm's efforts to deliver superior value. Because customer analysis and competitive advantage are so crucial to business success, a degree in marketing provides a solid foundation for a general management career leading to executive responsibilities. It can also provide the basis for a more focused career in such areas as advertising, retailing, sales, brand management, and market research.
Requirements for the Major
In addition to fulfilling Undergraduate Core Curriculum and Leavey School of Business requirements for the bachelor of science in commerce degree, students majoring in marketing must complete the following departmental requirements:
MKTG 182 and 183 (recommended to be completed in junior year, prior to electives)
After completion of MKTG 182 and 183, three courses in an area of marketing emphasis chosen from one of the following areas:
Business and Technology Marketing Emphasis
MKTG 185, 187 (strongly recommended)
MKTG 175, 177, 186, 189 (recommended)
Consumer and Channel Marketing Emphasis
MKTG 165, 175, 186 (strongly recommended)
MKTG 187, 189 (recommended)
Individually Designed Marketing Emphasis
- Courses selected with the student's marketing faculty advisor. The three courses are typically selected from MKTG 165, 175, 178, 185, 186, 187, and 189.
The MKTG 198 internship elective should be designed to augment the student's career goals. However, MKTG 198 cannot be substituted for an elective course in the major.
Upper-Division Courses
165. Customer-Centric Retailing
The design and management of store, catalog, and Internet-based retail channels. Topics include how retailers create value for the producer and the end user, the financial and marketing strategies that underlie retailing formats, target marketing decisions, merchandise management, how retail price promotions work, managing customer service, and the execution of retail marketing decisions. Mini cases, video cases, an applied project, and guest speakers from industry will be utilized to provide practical illustration of various concepts and stimulate class discussion. Prerequisites: ACTG 11 and MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
168. and 169. Advanced Retail Seminars
In-depth examination of a number of topics critical to future executives in a retailing environment. Focus is on the use of consumer information and information technology to improve managerial decision making. Topics include consumer trends, multichannel retail models, analysis of high-performance retailers, category management, building information-centric organizations, mobile marketing, social media, sales promotion and online advertising, and supply chain management. Prerequisites: MKTG 165, 181, or 181S, and declared retail studies minor. MKTG 168 must be taken prior to 169. (5 units)
175. Internet Marketing
Focuses on several important areas impacting the dynamic nature of Internet marketing by addressing these questions: What is the role of mobile, social, and local marketing in today's environment? How are marketers integrating e-commerce into their marketing activities? What are some of the major problems and opportunities that e-commerce activities pose for the marketing manager? Project required. Prerequisite: MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
177. Social Media Marketing
This experimental course examines the role of social media in business and brand strategy, digital advertising, and overall marketing mix. This class introduces students to the current social media landscape, explores how it can be used for maximum results (for both corporate and individual branding), and evaluates which social platforms are the best fit for an organization's strategic business and marketing goals. Topics to be covered will include an overview of platforms, current social media trends and their implications, developing social media strategy, measurement, and challenges. Prerequisites: MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
178. Marketing Across Cultures
Success in global markets requires developing marketing programs that are sensitive to cultural differences. This course emphasizes the cultural factors that drive consumption behavior in international markets. A socio-cultural perspective is applied to traditional marketing concepts to develop programs to successfully address international markets. Mechanisms for participating in foreign markets such as exports, licensing, and joint ventures are evaluated. Ethical marketing issues in international contexts are explored. Students who take this class may not receive credit for MKTG 178L taken in the Santa Clara London Program, or any equivalent course taken in a study abroad program. Prerequisites: MKTG 181 or 181S and MGMT 80. (5 units)
181. Principles of Marketing
Introduction to the fundamental principles of contemporary marketing. Covers the role of marketing in society, marketing strategy and planning, segmentation, product policy, pricing decisions, promotion, and distribution. The course stresses topical examples. Emphasizes application of basic principles, information sourcing, analytical thinking, and communication skills. Prerequisite: Must have 60 units or greater, or permission of instructor. (5 units)
181S. Principles of Marketing
Introduction to the fundamental principles of contemporary marketing. Covers the role of marketing in society, marketing strategy and planning, segmentation, product policy, pricing decisions, promotion, and distribution. Stresses topical examples. Emphasizes application of basic principles, information sourcing, analytical thinking, and communication skills. Prerequisite: Enrollment restricted to students in the Leavey Scholars Program. Must have 60 units or greater, or permission of instructor. (5 units)
182. Analysis for Marketing Decisions
An analytical approach toward understanding consumers and markets to support profitable marketing decisions in such areas as market segmentation, new product development, positioning, and promotions. The focus is on frameworks for structuring marketing problems, and techniques for using data to improve marketing decisions. Cases and projects are emphasized. Prerequisites: OMIS 41 or ECON 42 and MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
183. Customer Behavior
How consumers process information and make buying decisions. Investigation of influence factors, such as attitudes, personality, culture, motivation, perception, and reference groups on consumer decision making. Decision-making processes of industrial buyers in business-to-business markets are also studied and compared to those of individuals in consumer markets. Particular emphasis on understanding the decision-making process (both consumer and industrial) and its application to the development of sound marketing strategy. An applied project, videos, and mini-cases are used to illustrate the practical application of various concepts. Prerequisites: OMIS 41 or ECON 42 and MKTG 181 or 181S or permission of instructor. (5 units)
185. Sales Management
This course puts the student in the role of being a prospective sales or marketing manager. The objective is to provide students with user-level knowledge of sales concepts and management methodologies necessary to effectively perform and manage the sales function. The format of the course enables the student to apply these concepts to selling both consumer high-tech and industrial products and services. Project required. Prerequisite: MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
186. Integrated Marketing Communications
Integration of the marketing mix, brand message, and media is essential to successfully meeting corporate objectives. The course arms students with an understanding of new media plus the skills to plan, develop, execute, coordinate, and measure integrated marketing communications (IMC) programs. Personal attributes, demeanor, and business ethics are addressed in preparation for moving from the classroom to the boardroom. Interaction with business practitioners, industry-experienced instruction, and a service/learning project for an actual company are integral to the course. Prerequisite: MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
187. Innovation and New Product Marketing
Focuses on both quantitative and qualitative techniques associated with identifying, researching, and analyzing new product opportunities. Exposes students to important tools for designing, testing, and introducing profitable new products and services. Prerequisite: MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
189. Sustainability Marketing
The course is designed to explore the relationship between sustainability and marketing, especially for students interested in business and society and the environmental concerns that affect marketing managers. Key areas include understanding the economic foundation of sustainability marketing and its place in contemporary society, sustainability marketing standards and strategies, and global and ethical considerations. Prerequisite: MKTG 181 or 181S. (5 units)
197. Special Topics in Marketing
Occasional current and interdisciplinary courses offered on a one-time or infrequent basis or cross-listed with offerings in other departments. Consult quarterly schedule of classes for description. Prerequisites: MKTG 181 or 181S and declared marketing major. (5 units)
198. Internship
Opportunity for upper-division students to work in local firms and complete a supervised academic project in that setting. Prerequisites: Declared marketing major, MKTG 181 or 181S, 182, and permission of faculty coordinator. (1--3 units)
199. Directed Reading/Directed Research
Independent projects undertaken by upper-division students with a faculty sponsor. Independent studies are normally permitted only under special circumstances. Prerequisite: Written proposal must be approved by instructor and chair at least two weeks prior to registration. (1--5 units)