Overview

This course is designed to give students broad exposure to a variety of case studies and encourage practical application of principles of value chain analysis to evaluate local value chains. Through iterative analysis, students will learn how to look for opportunities and overcome constraints to increase value. Students will also gain experience in technical sales, teaching, and group presentation. The concepts discussed are related to gospel principles throughout the course.

Requirements

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Required Resources

• Access to a computer with an internet connection and appropriate technical setup. Test your setup by following the instructions in the Technical Setup section of the Orientation to Online Learning found in Week 01.
• Microsoft Word. If you do not already have access to this software, you may download it for free if you use your BYUI email.
  • Go to portal.office.com and choose your BYUI email account.
  • Select Install Office (upper right-hand corner).
  • When it is done downloading, you are ready to go to work.
• Readings are supplied within the course.
• You will need to set up a Google Doc to use for your reflection journal. If you do not have a Google account, you can use the following link to set one up: Creating a Google Account.

Proctored Exams and Assessments

In this course, online proctoring software will be used, called Proctorio. It allows students to take the test anywhere without a human proctor present.

Students will need the following:

• A webcam
• Microphone (most webcams have a microphone built-in)
• Google Chrome as your internet browser, required to take your proctored exams
• Proctorio's Google Chrome Extension

After you install the Proctorio extension, you will access your proctored exams like you would any other exam. Your exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor to review the recordings. 

Install Proctorio 

The first task you will need to complete is installing the Google Chrome browser and then the Proctorio Extension if you don't already have them.

1. To install Chrome on your computer please go to Google Chrome (Links to an external site.)
2. Install Proctorio Chrome Extension.

Structure

Course Outcomes (CO)

1. Understand the function and structure of the agricultural value chain.
2. Develop basic technical sales skills.
3. Identify opportunities to move commodity products into higher-value markets. 
4. Use the four Ps of marketing to develop marketing strategies for differentiated products.
5. Understand how to effectively organize group marketing and procurement efforts.

Major Assignments

The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes (CO).

Major Assignment	Description	CO#
Quiz	Weekly quiz on the material of the week.	1.2.3.4.5
Writing	Answer questions about the topis of the week.	1.2.3.4.5

Weekly Patterns

The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions. 

Due Date*	Learning Model	Activity Title	Description
Midweek	Prove	Quiz	Study the material of the week and take the quiz.
Midweek	Prepare	Writing	Answer questions about the topis of the week.
Midweek	Teach One Another	Weekly Assignment	Teach your family or friends what you learned this week and report on your experience.
Midweek	Teach One Another	Group Discussion	Read the case study, answer the questions, and give your peers feedback.
End of Week	Teach One Another	Group Discussion	Analyze a local case, then give feedback to your peers.

*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.

Learning Model

As in all BYU-Idaho courses, this course will utilize the BYU-Idaho Learning Model. Students will prepare by completing the assigned readings each week and taking a quiz. Teaching one another will occur as you complete activities in which you teach family members, friends, and others, participate in discussion boards. Finally, students will Ponder and Prove by demonstrating understanding through applying the principles they have learned and taking exams. Students will complete several case analyses throughout the semester, based on both readings and local products. Giving and receiving feedback to each other is an important element in the learning process.

Course Expectations

Feedback

You can expect to receive grades and feedback within seven days of the due date for all assignments.

The following are recommendations for success in this class:

• The BYU-Idaho standard for the student workload in courses is three to four hours per week per credit hour. Students should plan to spend at least nine hours per week on this course. You may need to spend more, depending upon your own learning style and skill set.
• Read all material on every course page, including announcements. Do not rely exclusively on the Calendar to inform you of work to be accomplished. Some course pages do not have due dates associated with them, thus, they will not appear on your calendar. However, each page contains important information.
• Plan your time so that you work consistently throughout each week. You will have a quality learning experience and less stress if you spread the work throughout each week.

Workload

Assignments and activities are designed to increase the depth of your learning. Through these, you will apply the principles you have learned to situations similar to those you will encounter professionally and personally.

• Study Guide: There is a study guide included with each week. You should download this and use it as you work through the weekly preparation. You may use your study guide when you complete the preparation quizzes and in your Teaching Activities.
• Gospel Connections: There are Gospel Connections in each week, 02 through 13. You will be asked questions about what you read and watch and will add your write-up to a Google Doc Reflection Journal.
• Study: Most of your preparation assignments are readings within the course. However, some readings are case studies located on other websites. 
• Teach One Another: For the first half of the semester, you will teach what you have learned to a friend, family member, or business associate. In Weeks 10–14 you will plan and conduct a group presentation based on what you have learned throughout the semester.
• Case Analysis: Each week you will read a case and analyze it based on principles you have studied. You will post your analysis to a discussion board, and then learn from the analyses of your classmates.
• Local Case Analysis: From Week 02–05 and Week 06–09 you will conduct two local case analyses, based on a local product or commodity.
• Quizzes: The quizzes are based on the preparation activities for the week.
• Discussion Boards: Most weeks you will share your case analysis and your local case analysis with your classmates on discussion boards. By looking at your classmates' analyses you will learn from and teach each other.
• Research: In the second half of the semester you will use your local case analysis research, along with the skills you are working on, to conduct research.

Late Work

Students should complete their work on time, and generally, late work will not be accepted. However, the instructor has the discretion to accept late work or extend due dates in case of extenuating circumstances.

Typical Weekly Pattern

This course is divided into 14 weeks. There are three due dates each week. For specifics assignments and due dates please refer to the Calendar.

Weeks follow a basic pattern (with a few exceptions).

Grading Scale

You will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An A is a merit that will require dedication and mastery of the subject matter. Just completing the minimum expectations does not denote A effort. You will need to take the time to study, understand, and apply the principles taught in order to get an A.

This course will use the standard BYU-Idaho Grading Scale:

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	93 - 100%
A-	90-92%
B+	87-89%
B	83-86%
B-	80-82%
C+	77-79%
C	73-76%
C-	70-72%
D+	67-69%
D	63-66%
D-	60-62%
F	0-59%

Grade Components

Grades will be determined as follows:

Case Analysis	30%
Quizzes	13%
Writing Assignment	12%
Teaching Activity	14%
Journal	6%
Local Case Analysis	15%
Research	10%
Total	100%

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office (Links to an external site.) at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations (Links to an external site.). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies (Links to an external site.). It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.