e-Commerce (ECOM) 320

Overview

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 learn the course objectives.

Lesson 1: Introduction to E-Commerce

Lesson 2: E-Commerce Infrastructure and Tools

Lesson 3: Business Models and E-Commerce

Lesson 4: E-Commerce Strategy

Lesson 5: Supply Chain Management and E-Commerce

Lesson 6: Marketing Strategies and E-Commerce

Lesson 7: E-Commerce Security and Controls

Lesson 8: Electronic Payment Systems

Lesson 9: Mobile Computing and Commerce, and Pervasive Computing

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 one quiz, three written assignments, and pass a Midterm Examination and a Final Examination. The passing grade for the Midterm Examination and Final Examination is "D" 50 percent. In addition, you must achieve an overall course grade of at least “D” (50 percent). The weighting of each assessment activity is indicated in the table below. 

Assign. 1	Assign. 2	Assign. 3	Online Participation	Midterm Exam	Final Exam	Total
10%	10%	10%	10%	20%	40%	100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

The custom-published textbook for this course includes chapters from the following two textbooks:

ISBN: 1256691860

The textbook is shipped as a shrink-wrapped package that includes an access code for the e-textbook. If the shrink wrap is broken, the materials are not returnable.

Other Materials

Students will access all other materials online.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they 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 for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the ECOM 320 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 per cent on the examination.

Online Exam (3 hours)

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form