Course Objectives: To develop an understanding of basic principles and unique management, marketing and finance strategies of cooperatives; the skill of applying these strategies in relevant environments; the ability to capitalize on the strengths and minimize weakness of cooperatives; and to gain a rationale regarding the appropriate role of cooperatives in a market economy. This is a 3-credit course with AgEcon/Econ 110 as a prerequisite.

Class Schedule: 9:30-10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday in Morrill Room 103

Instructor: Dr. William C. Nelson, Morrill 301J, Phone 231-1016, FAX 231-1059 e-mail Bill.Nelson@ndsu.nodak.edu
Text: Cobia, David W., and Bruce Anderson, ed., Cooperatives: An Economic and Management Perspective, available at Union Bookstore. (By January 11)

Course Conduct: This class will be a combination of lectures, discussions, and guest lecturers. You are encouraged to ask questions and to discuss differences of opinion with the instructor and other students. Class assignments and schedule may be modified to accommodate classroom development of case material and the schedule of guest lecturers and panel members.

Evaluation:

Quizzes and Exams: The quizzes, scheduled after each section, and final exam will be a combination of true-false, multiple choice, matching, problems, and essay questions. There will be no make-ups on quizzes. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Past quizzes for this class are on the Web.

Term Report: The term report is an analysis of a cooperative selected by the student and instructor. This report provides an opportunity for the student to become intimately familiar with the management and operation of a cooperative and to see how the principles discussed in class are applied.

Other Items: There will also be problem sets, guest commentaries, journal entries, and an oral report on your term paper.

Grade: Approximate weights: quizzes(40) and final(20) = 60%
term paper - 30%
other items - 10%

Course Evaluation: A formal course evaluation will be administered near the end of the semester, but throughout the semester, you are invited to leave anonymous suggestions/comments for the instructor in the box provided in Morrill 217. Please indicate on the paper which course you are commenting on.

HONOR CODE: All students taking any course in the College of Agriculture are under the Honor System. The Honor System is a system that is governed by the students and operates on the premise that most students are honest and work best when their honesty and the honesty of others, is not in question. It functions to prevent cheating as well as penalize those who are dishonest. It is the responsibility of the students to report any violations of the honor pledge to the instructor, honor
commission, or the Dean of the College of Agriculture.

ADA: Any students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course are encouraged to speak with the instructor as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements for these accommodations.