ECOM 320: Overview of e-Commerce is a three-credit, senior-level course at Athabasca University. This foundational course focuses on principles of e-commerce from a business perspective. This course provides an overview of business and technology topics, business models, virtual value chain, and innovation and marketing strategies. In addition, some of the major issues associated with e-commerce—security, privacy, intellectual property rights, authentication, encryption, acceptable use policies, and legal liabilities—will be explored.
Outline
ECOM 320 consists of the following 11 lessons of study. Each lesson is designed to teach you the concepts, principles, and case-study skills that will enable you to achieve the course objectives.
Lesson 1: Introduction to e-Commerce
Lesson 2: e-Commerce Infrastructure
Lesson 3: Business Models and e-Commerce
Lesson 4: Digital Business Strategy
Lesson 5: e-Commerce Systems Analysis and Design
Lesson 6: Supply Chain Management and e-Commerce
Lesson 7: Marketing Strategies and e-Commerce
Lesson 8: e-Commerce Security and Controls
Lesson 9: Electronic Payment Systems
Lesson 10: Legal and Ethical Issues in e-Commerce
Lesson 11: Social Commerce and Other Issues in e-Commerce
Evaluation
To receive credit for ECOM 320, you must complete three written assignments and pass a Midterm Examination and a Final Examination. The passing grade for each examination is 50 percent. In addition, you must achieve an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent).
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
10%
Assignment 3
10%
Online Participation
10%
Midterm Exam
20%
Final Exam
40%
Total
100%
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
*Marks for online participation will be awarded both on the quantity and quality of your contributions. You are expected to provide pertinent comments and thoughtful insight to the discussion.
Materials
e-Commerce 2016: Business, Technology, Society (Custom Edition for Athabasca University) combines content from two textbooks. (eText)
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 from: Laudon, K. C., & Traver, C. G. (2016). e-Commerce 2016: Business, technology, society (12th ed.). Pearson. (eText)
Chapters 5, 6, and 11 from: Chaffey, D. (2015). Digital business and e-commerce management: Strategy, implementation and practice (6th ed.). Pearson. (eText)
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ECOM 320 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.