WELCOME (and a few ground rules)!

Hello,

Please let me extend a warm welcome to you to this class.

If you have attended the first class meeting, you already know that we will be using Blackboard (formerly, WebCT/WebCT Vista) extensively for class-related communications, distribution of teaching materials and exams. So, please make sure that you stay tuned to Blackboard. Recently, the University installed Blackboard, a new version of WebCT, which already has seen quite a bit of teething troubles. In fact, I have frequently been locked out of Blackboard for extended periods of time.

Consequently, to overcome possible situations like this in the future, I will use THIS web site to distribute information to you as well.

If you are unable to reach Blackboard, most (but not necessarily, all) of the important information will be posted here.

Here are some additional important ground rules:

1. Please know that it is much more efficient to email me through Blackboard for matters related to this course than leaving a message for me on my office voice mail. If you have an urgent need, please email me at my UNT email address “jhinuk.chowdhury@unt.edu” but PLEASE prefix the subject line with “MKTG 4280.001″ or “MKTG 4280.002″ (as may be applicable in your case). Having your full name, your EUID, and your student ID number in your signature line (or anywhere else in the email message) will help me respond a whole lot quicker than otherwise.


2. If you have any questions or comments that you think may be relevant to the entire class, you are welcome to post that in “Discussion” tool of Blackboard. If it is something that may be only of relevance to you, please send me email through Blackboard. (When sending email within Blackboard, you do not need to prefix the subject line with MKTG 4280.001 or MKTG 4280.003; a good descriptive subject line will do just fine.) If there is any aspect of the class, the instructor, or teaching assistant(s) you are dissatisfied with, let’s please try to resolve that through private email messages. I try very hard not to embarrass you publicly; I would expect no less of you.


3. When posting items in the Discussion tool of Blackboard, make sure that (a) you are posting it under the correct heading (section) and, in cases of assignments and graded discussions, posting them no later than the announced deadline. Failure to follow these two directions will most certainly deprive you of any credit for your posts.

Throughout the semester, there will likely be additional announcements and guidelines for you; so, please stay tuned to Blackboard.

I am looking forward to having a great semester with you. I will try to make this an useful and enjoyable course to the best of my abilities. Once again, welcome to Global Marketing!

~ JC ~